FMT is seeking a temporary, full-time Voter Engagement and Reproductive Rights Organizer in Bozeman to support CI-14, a ballot measure to enshrine abortion access in the Montana State Constitution. This person will train and coordinate volunteer efforts to collect petition signatures, engage in voter registration and GOTV efforts, and hit metrics.

The ideal candidate is someone who’s an advocate for our communities and understands what it means to be a part of change in Bozeman. Applicants should be self-starters -- able to propose new ideas and develop projects that get young people excited about the initiative. Applicants should have a proven ability to build reciprocal relationships with volunteers, fellows, organizations, and other stakeholders in Bozeman. Applicants should have a passion for making change and working on a breadth of civic and political projects that supports FMT’s mission and vision.

Applicants should be committed to hitting goals in a fast-paced environment and have the ability to stay flexible with an eye toward new opportunities. All staff at Forward Montana are expected to participate in field efforts during election season (like making phone calls and knocking on doors).

Who We Are

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.

What You’ll Do

The Voter Engagement and Reproductive Rights Organizer, who is based in Bozeman and reports to the Senior Organizing Manager - Central Region, is responsible for the following:

Until June 24, when signatures are due:

• Field Shifts (60%): Identify creative locations and organize outreach efforts to gather and promote signatures for the ballot initiative. Conduct field shifts for signature gathering for up to 8 hours at a time including door-to-door and field canvassing, tabling, and giving presentations in the community.
• **Volunteer Training & Coordination (30%): **Recruit, train, coordinate, manage, and develop volunteers to collect signatures for the ballot initiative. Attend coalition meetings to ensure everything’s on track.
• Administrative Tasks (10%): Enter and manage volunteer data in our system, EveryAction. Keep forms organized and turn in all appropriate forms. Other duties as assigned.

After June 24:

• Field Shifts (50%): Identify creative locations and organize outreach efforts to gather and promote voter registration that reaches our target constituency: Montanans ages 18-34. Conduct field shifts for voter turnout and to collect voter registration for up to 8 hours at a time including door-to-door and field canvassing, tabling, and giving presentations in the community. Train and keep organized field schedules for volunteers and the Bozeman team to access.
• Advocacy (30%) : Attend relevant meetings of MSRR (Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights). Lead and support on projects and events to generate excitement for the ballot measure.
• Volunteer Coordination & Administrative Tasks (20%): Lead on recruitment and coordination efforts for volunteers in the Bozeman office. Conduct quality control and data entry of all collected voter registration forms. Keep forms organized and turn in all forms to the appropriate county elections offices.

Must-Haves

• Volunteer Management: You have experience developing and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with a diverse group of individuals. You’re comfortable managing & training peers.
• **Drive to achieve results across field & mobilization programs: **You have a track record of accomplishing ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles (think: thunderstorms during an outdoor event or running out of voter registration forms during a big event). You set a high bar and meet it, because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to anticipate hurdles and come up with pragmatic solutions.
• 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 fellows, members, and within the staff. You’re committed to amplifying community voices to advocate for a more progressive and just Bozeman. You recognize how your own identities show up in the 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 are creative & innovative when developing programs. 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience, either professional or voluntary, with fieldwork is not required, but experience is always a plus! We can train and work with anyone on the specifics, but you will need to bring the drive to learn!
• Familiarity with the local community and existing relationships with youth, student groups, and organizations is always appreciated.

If you were the Voter Engagement and Reproductive Rights Organizer right now, you would be:

• Cultivating new relationships with volunteers to participate in your upcoming field efforts through 1:1’s at a local coffee shop
• Tabling at a voter registration event and encouraging young people to send postcards to elected officials to advocate for reproductive rights
• Leading on an educational TikTok project with students and fellows to promote reproductive rights
• Speaking to a class of students at MSU about the importance of registering to vote and talking about what’s coming up for FMT and how they can plug in
• Strategizing with the entire program team about how to tackle an upcoming voter registration or canvassing goal!

What Else You Should Know

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+ folks, women, and people with disabilities to apply.

Logistics

• You must be comfortable working unconventional hours-- including nights and weekends
• You must have access to reliable transportation (a valid driver’s license is required)
• 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
• There is a shared office space in Bozeman with the regional team

This is a non-exempt position at $22 per hour, with bonus opportunities at the end of the year. This is a temporary position from May 1, 2024 to December 20, 2024. Forward Montana also offers the following benefits:

• 100% Employer paid Health Insurance, Life Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
• Opt-in Employee paid Dental and Vision Insurance
• Technology and wellness reimbursements
• Generous paid time off

How to Apply

Please upload a resume and one-page cover letter stating your interest in the position, why building youth-power & getting out the vote in Bozeman is important, and what skillsets you’d be excited to grow & develop in this position. All application materials should be submitted through the Rippling Applicant Tracking System.

If a cover letter isn’t your style, try something creative! We’re less concerned with the perfect cover letter and more interested in getting to know you, your passions, and what you’d bring to the position -- slideshows, videos, graphics/visuals, portfolios, or just a more casual tone cover letter are all welcome.

If you have any questions or need support, please reach out to Lyla Brown, Senior Organizing Manager, lyla@forwardmontana.org

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis with a priority application deadline of April 12 and the preferred start date is May 1, 2024.