ROLE: COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
LOCATION: AUSTIN, TX
APPLICATION DEADLINE: APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL FILLED
*This is a temporary position from April 2026 – March 15, 2027*
The Community Organizer plays a specialized role in strengthening and sustaining Workers Defense’s membership base in Austin. This position is less about running short-term campaigns and more about deep, relational organizing: building trust with workers, developing member leaders, and creating the infrastructure needed for long-term worker power.
This is a Special Projects position. While all three organizers will share core base-building and leadership development responsibilities, each will also take on a distinct special project area aligned with organizational needs (1. Communications support, lead on misinformation and disinformation education to community, 2. Organizing around community safety and 3. Building an infrastructure for a volunteer base)e.g.,). Each special project will contribute to the same overall goal: building and sustaining a strong, worker-led base in the Austin area.
The organizer is often the first point of contact for workers engaging with Workers Defense and works to build relationships, develop leaders, and strengthen Austin’s worker base in alignment with the organization’s membership-led model and its mission and values.
HOW TO APPLY:
Send resume, cover letter, and three professional references to jobs@workersdefense.org. Please include the position title on the subject line of your email. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.
WHY WE’RE EXCITED ABOUT YOU:
- You are passionate about worker justice and improving conditions for low-wage and immigrant workers in Texas.
- You are excited about long-term base building, leadership development, and capacity building with workers.
- You have strong communication skills and can build trust and relationships with a diverse range of workers and community members.
- You have experience in community organizing, base building, or grassroots outreach.
- You are committed to Workers Defense’s identity as a membership-led organization.
- You are skilled at motivating, supporting, and developing others to take leadership and collective action
THE ROLE IN ACTION:
- Grow and Sustain the Membership Base
- Conduct outreach at worksites, neighborhoods, community spaces, and events in Austin to recruit new worker-members.
- Conduct door-to-door canvassing, worksite outreach, and one-on-one conversations focused on worker issues.
- Meet monthly and quarterly base-building and member retention goals.
- Track and maintain accurate records of member engagement and participation.
- Special Project Responsibilities (Role-Specific)
- Take ownership of a defined special project area that strengthens Austin’s organizing infrastructure Develop clear goals, timelines, and measurable outcomes for the assigned special project.
- Coordinate with relevant staff (e.g., communications, policy, development, or organizing teams) to ensure alignment and execution.
- Community education and engagement
- Conduct or support community education, including Know Your Rights presentations and issue-based workshops.
- Adapt education and engagement strategies to meet the needs of Austin’s communities.
- Support member events and meetings
- Support with different member events and or meetings by providing assistance with logistics or turnout
- Administrative & organizational support
- Complete required administrative tasks
- Track outreach, leadership development, and base-building metrics.
- Support cross-programmatic campaigns, actions, events, and meetings as needed.
- Support grassroots fundraising efforts when applicable.
- Carry out other activities necessary to support Workers Defense’s mission and work.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING:
- Fluent in English and Spanish
- Ability to work irregular hours (evenings and weekends)
- Excellent written and oral communication
- Basic computer literacy (PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Slack & Internet use)
- Ability to work independently and juggle multiple responsibilities
- Ability and flexibility for some out of state travel and instate travel
- Ability to do in person work including: going door to door canvassing, going to worksites, leading events or meetings at the office or other locations, conducting presentations or trainings at the office or other locations
- Ability to drive and operate a vehicle. Will need to transport themselves to meetings, field activities etc.
- Ability to hold one to one conversations with strangers
- Ability to speak publicly in small or big settings
*If you don’t meet all the criteria above but still feel your experience could be a good fit for the role, please apply. Workers Defense recognizes that candidates who don’t check every box can still add value to our team.
WHAT WE OFFER:
- Workers Defense has a salary scale that is based on experience. The starting salary for the position is $60,000.00.
- Every other Friday off.
- Employer-paid medical, vision, dental, and life insurance.
- Paid leave consists of 9 days vacation, 10 days sick, and 5 days personal.
- Paid holidays in addition to office closures the week of fourth of July, the week of Thanksgiving and December 23rd through 31st.
- A $1,000 annual language stipend for English-Spanish bilingual staff.
- Retirement plan with company match of 3% (as per our Personnel Policies Manual and after probationary period – 90 days from hire).
Workers Defense is proud to be a unionized workplace. These positions will be part of the Workers Defense Union with NOLSW Local 2320.
ABOUT WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT
Workers Defense Project is a member-led organization that organizes Latine immigrant workers in Texas to fight for dignity and respect.
Workers Defense is an equal opportunity employer, and encourages qualified candidates of diverse backgrounds, including candidates of color, women, veterans, and LGBTQ individuals to apply.