Hiring Organization Information
Position Information
About Western States Center
Based in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States, Western States Center (WSC), a 501(c)(3), and Western States Strategies (WSS), a 501(c)(4) affiliate, work nationwide to strengthen inclusive democracy. Since 1987, we’ve played a catalytic role advancing justice by convening, developing, organizing, and supporting the communities most affected by inequities. WSC works with communities and organizations to build movements, develop leaders, shift culture, and defend democracy through a prism of race, gender, justice and equity. We take regional action for national impact and believe a Pacific Northwest and Mountain West organization can be a bridge between field organizing and national policy and narrative shift.
Location
The role will be remote with travel up to 1-2 times per month. We particularly encourage candidates based in OR, WA, ID, WY and AZ or with strong connections in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States region to apply.
Compensation
This is a full-time exempt position. Benefits include health and dental insurance; paid sick leave; 20 days of paid vacation; 15 paid holidays; office closures in 2024 from August 5-9 and December 23-January 1; work from home stipend and paid digital security subscription; annual professional development support; and a 3% employer contribution to retirement effective date of hire and up to a 2% match for a total 5%. Western States Center observes a four-day work week.
To maintain equity among staff, compensation is designated via an internal, non-negotiable salary matrix that considers years of experience in a comparable role. This position is eligible to earn between $82,000 - $90,000 per year.
Application
Please submit the following for consideration through our application form:
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Cover letter clearly outlining the specific skills and knowledge you bring to the role; and
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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 July 29, 2024.
Western States Center is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Position Overview
Since 2018, WSC’s Momentum Program has been a leading national voice on the growing threat of white nationalism, equipping communities and democratic institutions to be resilient in the face of organized bigotry. The Momentum Program partners with state and local government and values-based coalitions to close space for political violence. WSC has been a leader in recognizing the scale of anti-democracy attacks on educational institutions like schools, universities, and libraries, and we have responded with proactive approaches including toolkits, trainings, and direct support. We are now seeking a dedicated and talented Momentum Program Director to help us take this work to the next level.
The Momentum Program Director will lead the three-person Momentum team focused on organizing and advocacy in partnership with communities, regional partners, local government, and national organizations to counter white nationalism. This role will lead advocacy strategy at both the state and national levels, supervise research and organizing, track trends in the field, propose media pitches and speak with reporters, represent WSC externally on panels and in workshops, and much more.
Responsibilities include:
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Work closely with WSC’s senior leadership and consultants to manage the organization’s national coalition work focused on reducing white nationalist policy expressions in Congress and fostering better practices for researchers monitoring anti-democracy groups.
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Coordinating with staff and consultants leading the WSC’s state-based coalition building, monitoring and rapid response work in 3-4 states in addition to planning state-based expansions in 1-2 new states in the near future.
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Working closely with the WSC’s incoming Education Manager to shape the strategic direction of WSC’s work with educational institutions and turn that vision into action.
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Expand the reach and elevate the profile of WSC’s tools and work at the local, regional, and national levels.
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Help guide the WSC’s response to power-building and targeting of marginalized communities by anti-democracy and white nationalist groups in WSC’s core region of the Pacific Northwest and Mountain States.
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Oversee the development of new resources and training to equip communities, local government and civic institutions with the tools they need to respond to anti-democracy activity and power-building in their communities.
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Develop new tools, update existing tools, and ensure that WSC’s external facing materials for this work are relevant, up to date, accessible, and easy to use for target audiences.
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Work closely with our development team and senior leadership to strengthen the WSC’s relationship with existing and new funders via briefings and meetings.
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Work directly with our communications team to generate forward-facing press statements and pitches to media on anti-democracy activities. Serve as a resource for state and national media outlets.
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Serve as spokesperson for WSC with media and on external panels and trainings, as needed.
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Supervise consultants, fellows, and senior fellows, as needed.
Qualifications include:
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Significant experience countering organized bigotry and authoritarianism, with at least 4-7 years of leadership in the field.
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We are open to candidates who come primarily from a research/monitoring or an organizing and advocacy background, but ideally are looking for someone who understands both perspectives, can recognize organizing opportunities based on opposition monitoring, and is skilled at determining a strategic approach and taking action in alignment with impacted communities.
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Clear vision for creating impact through the Momentum Program, based on a thorough understanding of trends in democracy and authoritarianism in the U.S. and opportunities to intervene, and skill at turning that vision into scaleable program plans.
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Experience leading a team, including management and supervision.
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Proven ability to build, nurture and thrive in a diverse, multiracial, and positive working environment and to support supervisees, peers, and external partners while maintaining relationships with a range of stakeholders.
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Passionate about WSC’s mission and impact, strong racial and gender justice analysis, networks in the pro-democracy and anti-bigotry fields, and commitment to embedding equity values in program evaluation.
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Ability to learn quickly, think creatively and work with flexibility.
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Strong writing skills.
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Attention to detail and ability to work under tight deadlines.
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Deep commitment to accuracy and measurable results.
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Motivation to closely track developments in the news and in the field and act on them quickly.
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Excellent critical thinking and organizational judgment.