JOB: Political Canvass Director

Political Canvass Director, ACORN

ACORN is one of the nation’s largest and most successful networks of community organizations with over 400,000 low and moderate income members in 104 cities across the country. Since 2003, ACORN has helped over 1.6 million people register to vote. In 2008, ACORN will help register over 1.2 million voters and mobilize 1.7 million through an extensive Get Out The Vote Program. Our Program works to give a strong political voice to low and moderate income, minority and young voters to advance issues such as fair wages, access to healthcare and housing, ending the foreclosure crisis and access to higher education.

ACORN is hiring Political Canvass Directors in several key states across the country.

The Canvass Director’s primary responsibility will be to recruit, train, & manage a team of part time field organizers on the following tasks in key legislative districts:

• Develop and execute a full canvass program from the ground up
• Door to door fundraising to support campaigns
• Recruit ACORN supporters for issue based campaigns & identify potential supporters and volunteers
• Increase the overall number of registered minority voters though door-to-door contact
• Mobilize membership base to participate in rallies, networking, etc
• When applicable, get-out-the-vote operations in support of ACORN PAC endorsed candidates
• Guide a highly sophisticated plan of political education and mobilization in your area around key legislative and issue-based campaigns, elections, and organizing

Secondary responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain systems for keeping accurate lists and reports about contacts, events, etc.
• Maintain accurate records of organizing staff performance, track benchmarks, etc
• In collaboration with communications and other staff, develop an appropriate messaging for canvassing and phone banking
• Provide assessment local landscape and capacity, apprise ACORN leadership of local opportunities and concerns.
• Participate in regular staff meetings & trainings
• Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

A demonstrated commitment to economic and social justice
*Must have a stated and demonstrated interest in ACORN's issue priorities
*Minimum 2 year field organizing/canvassing experience; union, community, or political organizing experience.
*Minimum 6 months management experience; ability to recruit and motivate diverse groups of people.
*Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to meet goals and deadlines while working independently
*Strong work ethic, ability to multi-task, and commitment to local organizing
*Must have own reliable transportation and valid drivers license.
*Knowledge of voter files and databases strongly preferred
*The ability to make a commitment through December 2008 and beyond.Must demonstrate proficiency through prior experience and completion of our training program in all canvassing, training, and field managing standards and responsibilities.

Salary/benefits: Dependent upon experience. Health care and full benefits are provided. Out of state training may be required. ACORN is an equal opportunity employer; LGBT, women, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please email a resume to Sara Mathers polrecruit@acorn.org

Must demonstrate proficiency through prior experience and completion of our training program in all canvassing, training, and field managing standards and responsibilities.