Arena Careers

Salary Range: $63,440
Starting Bonus: $2,000
Retention Bonus: $4,000 should you remain on staff through January 17th, 2025

Location: Detroit based, statewide

Michigan United is building a vibrant, inclusive democracy in Michigan where community members are organizing to build power to affect change at local, state, and national levels. We are working to dismantle systemic barriers perpetuating inequality by building power. Michigan United defines power as the ability to act, and it comes in the form of organized people and organized money. We focus on issues from a racial, economic, immigrant, and environmental justice lens. We are a hub of people-centered leadership development, issue organizing, and civic power building.

Michigan United is dedicated to dismantling white supremacy and patriarchy, transforming lives through tangible victories and leadership development. We believe in the power of a united community driven by a shared vision and strategic action, capable of making significant impacts at local, state, and national levels. Our focus on organizing communities, training leaders, and tackling systemic barriers is crucial in shaping Michigan's future.

Our commitment to a democracy that reflects our base is at the core of our work, guiding us as we organize and mobilize communities, build collective power, and seek just outcomes. We are steadfast in these principles, aiming to create a Michigan where government and economy are inclusive, accountable, and equitable.

Michigan United's approach is grounded in practicality, driven by our values, and focused on building a state where dignity, equity, and justice are realities, not just aspirations. Through strong relationship-building, continuous leadership development, and strategic collective action, we are paving the way for the radical, systemic changes our communities need and deserve.

The Election Protection Program Manager should be prepared for in-person work on Election Day, during the early voting period, and post-election canvass and certification. The position will require travel to in-person meetings, events, and trainings throughout Michigan.

The current Election Protection Coordinator will onboard and train the incoming Election Protection Program Manager, who will work closely with the Movement Politics Director, senior leadership team, and a coalition of organizations with aligned goals and values to protect community members' right to vote.

This work must be done through an anti-racist and anti-oppression lens.

Michigan United’s work is hybrid. Work is conducted in person, in the office, and via video and conference calls.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Voter Education and Outreach:
  • Coordinate with the Communications and Movement Politics Director on creating and disseminating messaging and social media campaigns to educate voters about voting rights, early voting, and election procedures.
  • Coordinate the development of voter education materials with the Communication Director.
  • Coordinate the creation of an outreach and recruitment plan with the Movement Politics and Organizing Director.
  • Coordinate production of digital content with the Communications Director
  • Coordinate earned media events
  • Coordinate virtual and in-person events

• Recruit & Manage Volunteers
  • Recruiting, training, and coordinating volunteer poll monitors and non-partisan challengers to work at polling places, early voting sites, community events, and in absentee voter counting rooms
  • Recruit volunteers from Michigan United's network, and work to identify and build relationships with new partners, including student groups, universities and law schools, block clubs, advocacy groups, faith-based groups, and others
  • Organize trainings to ensure that volunteers are well-supported, and work with Michigan United staff and partners to coordinate volunteers before, during and after election day
  • Ensure all volunteer activities are well-organized, achieve organizational goals, and provide volunteers with a positive experience

• Manage Early Voting and Election Day Programs
  • Deploy volunteers according to a statewide plan
  • Track and report all potential voting rights violations
  • Work with statewide rapid response coalition to resolve voters' issues
  • Be prepared to improvise and develop on-the-spot solutions to unique challenges

• Manage Post-Election Programming
  • Continue to work with volunteers and coalition partners to ensure that the post-election canvassing and certification process runs smoothly and that all votes are counted
  • Responsible for coordinating volunteers and organizing direct actions throughout December and early January around key dates in the post-election process, including local and state canvasses, vote certifications, and inauguration
  • Work with coalition partners to identify key cities and jurisdictions where mobilization, messaging support, or other engagement is needed to ensure that votes are certified and that any attempts at intimidation or subversion are prevented
  • Work with Communications team and coalition partners to develop a clear and consistent messaging strategy for the media, the public, elected officials, and members of our base
  • Develop long-term strategy for engaging with elected officials, partner organizers, and volunteers throughout the year in order to support program goals

• Represent Michigan United in Local, Statewide, and National Election Protection Coalition Spaces
  • Serve as liaison between Michigan United and existing state, local and national Election Protection coalitions
  • Represent Michigan United in coalition spaces and ensure that our work is accurately reflected to coalition partners, funders, and members of our base
  • Work with coalition partners to develop statewide strategies for election protection work
  • Attend in-person coalition meetings and conferences in Detroit and around the state on behalf of Michigan United
  • Stay up-to-date on relevant news and research related to state, local and national voter suppression efforts, voting rights legislation, court cases, and important groups and actors involved in voter suppression efforts in Michigan

• Track and Report Data
  • Measure our progress toward our election protection goals and synthesize that into both internal and public-facing reports
  • Work with Funder Relations Director to ensure that grant deliverables are met and tracked appropriately
  • Work with Communications team to create appropriate messaging, engage with the media, and represent Michigan United at press conferences and other events

QUALIFICATIONS

• Highly organized and able to work both independently and as part of a team
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a proven track record of creating effective messaging for diverse audiences
• Comfortable setting clear expectations and holding staff and volunteers accountable to them
• Ability to build and maintain constructive, positive relationships
• Strong commitment to social, racial and economic justice
• Ability to handle multiple job tasks and to meet deadlines
• Commitment to leadership development of leaders and members
• Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends and evenings
• Access to reliable transportation
• Experience in community organizing or election work preferred

BENEFITS

• Health Insurance and a $600/year Health Savings Account or monthly Health insurance stipend are available after 90 days of employment
• Individual Retirement Account (IRA) after earning at least $5,000 within the preceding two year period
• Internet and phone stipend of $125 a month
• Paid time off accruing at 4.616 hours every 2 weeks (subject to black out dates around primary and general elections)
• Paid sick time policy beginning at 16 hours and accruing up to 80 hours
• Floating Holiday Policy
• Mileage reimbursement policy

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Employees can be hybrid but must be based in the State of Michigan. Team members are located throughout the state, with our headquarters being in Detroit. There will be in-person events, meetings, and activities. Our work schedule is standard business hours with flexibility. Evenings and weekends are occasionally required. There will be periodic travel around the state, with intermittent out-of-state travel.

APPLICATION DETAILS

• Submit resume, statement of interest, and three references (at least two references must be work-related, one may be personal)
• You may apply here. If you are having difficulties uploading your materials to Paylocity please send them via email to: resumes@miunited.org. Please do not submit your resume to both Paylocity and our email.
• Please put the name of the position you are applying for in the email subject line.
• Resumes that do not adhere to these instructions will be discarded.

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

Michigan United is a statewide organization of community members and institutions fighting for the dignity and potential of every person. Michigan United organizes along with the following issue areas: immigrants’ rights, criminal justice reform, environmental justice, rural issues, healthcare, and civic engagement. Michigan United, along with Michigan United Action, our affiliated 501(c)(4), is serious about building long-term political power and transforming our political and economic system into one that puts people and the planet first. Our main office is in Southwest Detroit, with additional offices in Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Flint.

As a racial and economic justice organization, we actively encourage underrepresented individuals based on race, ethnicity, income, gender identity, and sexual orientation, as well as those who share the life experiences of the members we serve, to apply.

Michigan United is represented by SOUL of MU & MUA, Statewide Organized United Labor of Michigan United, and Michigan United Action in collaboration with the Newspaper Guild of Detroit, Local 34022. The person hired for this position will not become a bargaining unit member.