The United States is the wealthiest country in the world, yet millions of people experience hunger and homelessness each day. These problems exist in every state and every community in the U.S. While in many communities the problems are visible — lines stretching around the block at a soup kitchen or homeless people sleeping on the streets — the average citizen does not know the full extent of the problem.
In 2004, more than 27.2 million Americans lived below the federal poverty line while 38 million people were at risk of experiencing hunger. This includes working parents, young children, senior citizens, and single adults —people from all walks of life.
As the wealthiest country in the world, the U.S. has more than enough resources to feed and house everyone in need. We have plenty of solutions to these problems, yet our society lacks the political will to implement systemic change.
As the largest network of students working on hunger and homelessness issues, the National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness (NSCAHH) is committed to ending hunger and homelessness in America by educating, engaging and training students to directly meet individuals’ immediate needs while advocating for long-term, systemic solutions. Established by the state Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) in 1985, NSCAHH has engaged thousands of students in community service and political campaigns, served as a clearinghouse of information, helped students establish innovative local projects, equipped young people with the skills to be effective organizers and advocates, and raised more than $2 million to fight poverty here and abroad. We employ the time-tested tools of investigative research, grassroots organizing, community service and advocacy campaigns to achieve concrete and lasting change.
Responsibilities
Run poverty-related programs . The NSCAHH Field Organizer will work to develop, promote, and run a series of national community service, educational, fundraising, and advocacy campaigns. Each staff member is responsible for coordinating one or more NSCAHH programs such as Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, the Annual Hunger Cleanup, the Student Advocacy Network, and the Food Salvage Program. You will be responsible for developing a campaign plan and resource materials, recruiting participants, and working with student and community coalition partners to promote and expand these programs. Through your work, you will be responsible for generating media coverage, grassroots support, and measurable results.
Educate students and train new leaders. The NSCAHH Field Organizer will develop trainings and internship programs to teach campaign skills and instill the campus community with the desire and know-how to make a difference on the issues they care about. You will be responsible for working with students at 50-75 college campuses on a regular basis. Through phone consultations, campus site visits, regional trainings and conferences, and our website, you will be responsible for training students to be stronger student organizers, advocates, and leaders. All NSCAHH staff will also help organize our annual leadership conference each fall. This will require you to temporarily move to the conference host site and oversee student coordinators who commit to working on the conference.
Strengthen the organization. As a core part of the position, the NSCAHH Field Organizer will strengthen the organization by building our membership, recruiting staff and volunteers, and raising funds through campus fundraisers and grant seeking. In addition to your field work during the academic year, you will learn to canvass, and during the summer months, organizers run citizen outreach campaigns.
Training
Training will be provided at the beginning of the field organizer position and is a major benefit of our permanent positions. New staff will attend two to four national trainings each year, learning and honing the skills needed to design winning campaigns, generate media attention, build coalitions from scratch, raise funds, and manage volunteers and staff.
Qualifications
We are looking for motivated individuals who are willing to work hard and commit themselves to getting results. We value experience with campus groups or student government, academic achievement, public interest commitment, and outstanding verbal, written and leadership skills. But most of all, we look for people who find a way to make a difference.
Salary & Benefits
As a recent graduate, you will earn $23,750 in your first year. Salary for experienced candidates is commensurate with relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees. In addition, full-time staff can opt into our state health care coverage, are eligible for paid sick and vacation days, and after their third month on staff, can apply for our college loan assistance program. Our staff accrue two weeks of vacation by the end of their first year and three weeks by the end of their second year. Staff are also eligible to join our 401(k) program in their second year.
Questions
For additional information, please contact Stacey Hafner, Organizing Director, at 800-664-8647 or .
Location(s)
Chicago, IL
Application
To apply, email a resume and cover letter to Stacey Hafner at .