Forward Montana seeks eight part-time fellows - two in each community in Billings, Bozeman, Flathead and Missoula - to support voter registration and Get Out the Vote efforts! Fellows will have the opportunity to connect with other FMT fellows and staff across the state, learn about youth organizing, and engage in DEIJ sessions. We are hiring on a rolling basis for both the summer and fall fellowships.
The ideal fellow is someone who is passionate about political organizing and Montana! Fellows should have the ability to attend and engage thoughtfully in classes and DEIJ sessions, and work to support their community. In addition, fellows will build connections within their communities, help current and future voters, and must be passionate about political engagement in Montana.
Forward Montana, founded in 2004, is the state's largest youth-led, youth-focused civic engagement organization. We strive to transform government and communities to be just, sustainable, and equitable while working toward a future where Montana celebrates and reflects the diversity of our generation. We support young people to build power with and for each other to create lasting change.
Every fellow will support and engage in each of these areas throughout the fellowship under the supervision of their local field manager.
Weekly Classes : Each week on Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 pm there will be a required class. These sessions will cover a variety of aspects of organizing, and fellows will be able to engage with the presenters and apply their learning to their work in the fellowship.
Immersive DEIJ Sessions : Fellows will have an assigned DEIJ reading to complete each week, and then will connect with another fellow from around the state to discuss the readings. There are also three required DEIJ sessions that will be led by a Montana based consultant.
Community Building : Each fellow will be responsible for engaging with current volunteers and bringing new volunteers into FMT’s work throughout the fellowship. This could look like helping out a new volunteer on their first voter registration shift, helping out a new volunteer on their first canvassing shift or meeting with a potential volunteer.
Event Support: Each community will hold several events throughout and fellows will support in the planning, recruitment, and running of these events.
Summer Fellowship
The Summer Fellowship has a stronger focus on voter registration! This means the fellows will spend more time at events registering voters across our communities and will help with other events related to issue advocacy and community building!
Fall Fellowship
The Fall fellowship has a stronger focus on Get Out The Vote work. That fellowship will provide additional training, and field work in this area.
Actively Anti-Racist: You are committed to actively contributing to a more equitable and inclusive FMT by facilitating conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice with interns, members, and within the staff. You’re committed to amplifying community voices to advocate for a more progressive, just community. You recognize how your identities show up in work and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye toward continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference.
Creativity & Innovation: You’re flexible, adaptable, and willing to try new things. You’re down to wear a costume, not afraid to talk to strangers, can conduct fieldwork for up to 8 hours at a time, hand out stickers that say ‘Give a Shit’, and are committed to finding ways to make new connections.
**Flexibility & Adaptability: **You are able to shift quickly to meet the needs of the ever-changing political world, and work to implement the changes. You have a history of going with the flow and being able to adapt quickly to change.
Experience in fieldwork (voter registration, canvassing or community building) is not required but the drive and motivation to learn is required!
Forward Montana is an equal-opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by our issues and work. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ2S+ people, women, and people with disabilities to apply.
Logistics
The Summer fellowship is 12 weeks, running from May 13th to August 9th , and the Fall fellowship is 13 weeks, running from August 12th to November 8th.
Fellows must have access to reliable transportation in Billings, Bozeman, or Missoula and be able to attend events, voter registration shifts, and other required aspects of the fellowship
This fellowship is a part-time (10 hours per week) position
You must be comfortable working unconventional hours-- including nights and weekends
You’re comfortable conducting fieldwork for up to 6-8 hours at a time in all weather conditions
This position includes both in-person and virtual components based on public health guidance around COVID-19
You must be comfortable being managed and building relationships with our statewide team remotely
This position pays $17 per hour for 10 hours per week. Forward Montana also offers the following benefits:
Leadership development opportunities
Flexible work schedule
To apply for the 2024 Statewide Fellowship, simply click Apply For This Position on this page. This application process will have you specify which fellowship you are interested in (summer or fall), answer a few short questions, and upload a resume (which is optional). There will also be an informal interview via phone or Zoom. We are excited to see your applications
If you have any questions or need support, please email us at hello@forwardmontana.org
Applications will are accepted on a rolling basis as follows:
Summer Fellowship
Application closes May 6th, 2024 , with a priority application deadline of April 22nd, 2024, and the start date will be May 13th, 2024.
Fall Fellowship
Application closes August 5th, 2024 , with a priority application deadline of July 22nd, 2024, and the start date will be August 12th, 2024.