Dakota Rural Action (DRA) is seeking two individuals to join our team. The newly hired organizers will have the opportunity to work with staff and members of a fast growing grassroots organization working in South Dakota. DRA’s portfolio of work includes local and regional food systems, landowner protection, fighting pipelines and extractive energy projects and policy, supporting family farmers and ranchers, working to train beginning farmers and food entrepreneurs while fighting factory and industrial agriculture via a theory of change dependent on community leadership. Dakota Rural Action stands in solidarity for Social and Racial Justice. One position will be located in Brookings and the second in Rapid City. These are full time positions.
Dakota Rural Action is a grassroots organization working in South Dakota on family farm, environmental, energy, and local food issues. DRA organizes at the grassroots level to build a strong base of members who work together to make change at the local, state, and national arenas. DRA is a democratically run organization with decision making at the Board of Directors, chapters, and committees levels.
Each organizer will have a work plan that may include but is not limited to the following:
- Lead staff person for a statewide issue committee.
- Building committee membership
- Schedule and facilitate committee meetings and calls. Working with other DRA staff and Committee leadership to develop agendas and work plans.
- Work with the Committee to develop issue campaigns.
- Help Committee leadership manage, advance and adjust the campaign plan.
- Working directly with allied organizations in the community, on state level and national levels who are working on the issues of the statewide committee.
- Build DRA membership and base of support.
- Directly asking people to join and/or donate to Dakota Rural Action
- Build a base of support for DRA’s work through:
- Sign in sheets
- Social media
- Asking for member prospects
- And other approaches
- Lead Staff person for a local DRA Chapter
- Build chapter membership
- Work with chapter members and leaders to develop local chapter issues and campaigns plans.
- Encourage chapter members to participate in DRA’s statewide issue committees.
- Build chapter leadership for the chapter and for the statewide organization including new leaders who will move into leadership positions.
- Help ensure good communication between chapter leadership and members, the board of directors, the rest of the DRA staff and other chapters and committees.
Qualifications:
- Must have completed a four-year degree or have equivalent experience
- Be familiar with basic software, such as Microsoft Office, Adobe products, and Google platforms. Must be comfortable navigating the internet and handling administrative tasks (creating basic promotional materials, making phone calls and conducting meetings, for example)
- Ability to work effectively in networks and coalitions
- Excellent writing, speaking and interpersonal communications skills
- Skilled in group dynamics and group decision-making process
- Excited about meeting and working with new people
- Knowledge of South Dakota and its people a plus
- A strategic thinker and planner
- Someone who can motivate people to take action
- Must have a driver’s license and be able to drive
- Possession of personal vehicle is helpful, but not necessary
- Must be a team player
- Driven by a strong sense of justice and understanding of Racial Equity
Salary and Hiring date:
- Starting salary is $33,000 and depends on experience. Generous benefits included.
Apply:
- Send resume, writing sample, and three references to Frank James, Director, PO Box 549, Brookings, SD 57006, fejames@dakotarural.org, 605.697.5204.
- If you have any questions please contact Dakota Rural Action.
Application deadline:
- Open until filled, applying immediately encouraged.
Dakota Rural Action (DRA) organizes people and builds leadership while developing strong allied relationships. We protect environmental resources, advocate for resilient agriculture systems, and empower people to create policy change that strengthens their communities and cultures.
We envision an active and engaged membership promoting healthy, beautiful, and just food, agriculture, and energy systems that protect clean air, water, and soil for all the current and future inhabitants of South Dakota.