Rapid Response Manager

Overview

Rapid Response Organizer or Rapid Response Manager

About Western States Center

Based in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States, Western States Center (WSC) works nationwide to
strengthen inclusive democracy. For over 35 years, our work has advanced social, racial, and economic
justice by convening, developing, organizing, and supporting the communities most affected by
inequities. We’ve played a catalytic role, working with community partners to build people-centered
movements, defend democracy, develop new leaders, and shift culture with our eyes on the prize of a
society where all can live, love, and work free from bigotry and fear. Our Momentum program focuses on
countering white nationalism to defend democracy, part of our broader work within four pillars:
Movement Building, Leadership Development, Shifting Culture, and Defending Democracy.

Position Overview

The Rapid Response Organizer or Manager will work closely with staff across program, communications
and development departments. One of Western States Center’s core strategies is engaging in rapid
response organizing, advocacy, and media strategies when opportunities arise to quickly counteract white
nationalist or other bigoted activity. This might include advising local partners when their event is facing
bigoted threats, engaging media to elevate a key narrative, pulling together a sign-on letter to encourage
quick action from elected officials, or supporting organizing in other ways to strengthen local
communities and democratic institutions facing anti-democracy attacks. The Rapid Response Organizer
or Manager will report to the Director of Programs. The successful applicant will be offered either the
Rapid Response Organizer or Rapid Response Manager role based on experience and track record in
similar types of work. We are open to less experienced candidates with a great deal of drive as well as
more experienced candidates who will take on a higher level of responsibility in their role.

We’re looking for:

• An experienced organizer who knows how to connect with people across sectors and the political
  spectrum and move them to action;
• A skilled writer who can draft letters, talking points, backgrounders, and other documents with
  clear and compelling prose;
• Someone who is deeply committed to racial and gender justice and inclusive democracy, values-driven, and possesses a sharp racial justice analysis;
  • Someone with the ability to thrive in a diverse, multi-racial working environment both internally
  and externally;
• A pragmatist who is willing to work with a broad range of potential partners, sees opportunities
  for action everywhere, and is enthusiastic about creative solutions and measurable results;
• Someone who is realistic about the serious threat of hate and political violence, organized bigotry,
  and authoritarianism but can also maintain hope and pursue concrete opportunities to diminish the
  impact of white nationalism and other bigoted authoritarian social movements;
• Someone who has a working understanding of white nationalism and racial, gender, and anti-LGBTQ bigotry, with a particular focus on racism, antisemitism, and anti-Muslim bigotry.
• An avid news consumer who is interested in following the play-by-play of local and national
  situations relevant to our work;
• Someone who has 1-6 years of organizing or advocacy experience, ideally with some direct
  experience countering bigoted movements like the white nationalist movement, the anti-immigrant movement, or other anti-democracy groups and movements;
• A quick learner willing to get up to speed on WSC’s unique approach to this work, and ideally
  someone with an existing base of knowledge about bigoted social movements and how we can
  counter them;
• An independent worker who can coordinate multiple projects at once and has the energy to drive
  actions forward on their own and ask for the support they need;

Responsibilities:

• Serve as the point person driving forward rapid response campaigns and principally responsible
  for their completion and internal documentation;
• Conduct outreach to and build relationships with state and local partners;
• Provide direct support to community organizations, elected officials, businesses, social service
  agencies, and others in countering bigoted activity;
• Create and give presentations and webinars on the white nationalist movement and its goals,
  strategies, and impacts on communities;
• Develop background documents, talking points, sign-on letters, and coalition materials for rapid
  response actions;
• Serve as a team player for broader programmatic work when needed and in between rapid
  response actions, particularly within the Momentum program, including supporting national
  tables, cohort facilitation and training, engaging with partners, working on toolkits, and more;
• Work with communications staff to identify and execute digital opportunities to amplify rapid
  response efforts and ensure message alignment;
• Liaise with consultants as needed, and other duties as assigned.

Location:

This role will ideally be based in the Pacific Northwest with strong relationships in Oregon, Washington,
and/or Idaho and other states in the region. However, we are open to remote work within the United
States for the right person. The role will be remote with travel up to 1-2 times per month.

Compensation:

This is a full-time exempt position. Benefits include health and dental insurance, retirement benefits, paid
sick leave, and four weeks paid vacation. Starting annual salary range is $65,000-$80,000 depending on
role (organizer or manager) and years of experience in a similar role.

Application:

Please submit the following to haleys@wscpdx.org with the subject line “Rapid Response
Organizer/Manager”:

• Cover letter clearly outlining the specific skills and knowledge you bring to the role; and
• Resume detailing relevant experience, work history, education and accomplishments.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. For priority consideration,
please submit your application by April 5, 2023.

Western States Center is an equal employment opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based
on merit and organizational needs, and not on race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry,
gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, weight, religion, creed, physical or
mental disability, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other factor protected by
law.