Job Description

TITLE: ELECTORAL CANVASS DIRECTOR

LOCATION: State-wide (Michigan) - Hybrid Position

ANNUAL COMPENSATION: $70,000

RELOCATION COSTS COVERED: $3,000

STARTING BONUS: $2,000 (must remain on staff for two weeks)

RETENTION BONUS: $4,000 (must remain on staff through Nov 8th, 2024)

POSITION DURATION: This position is considered temporary and will conclude on November 25th, 2024. Position may be extended (subject to funding and circumstance) following the 2024 election.

DESCRIPTION / OVERVIEW:

Are you someone who has an interest in how politics shapes our lives? Have you ever seen or experienced systemic oppression and felt a calling to dismantle it? Are you someone that doesn’t feel wholly represented by business as usual politics? Are you looking for a high energy political home focused on justice for the 2024 election cycle and beyond?

MI United / MI United Action is going to contact hundreds of thousands of voters in 2024 with strategic resolve and an ambitious voter contact strategy. Our methods of transformational organizing produce voters that are 6.5x more likely to take action and increases in volunteer participation of up to 40%.

We’re on the lookout for a high-energy, experienced Electoral Canvass Director who thrives in fast-paced settings and is eager to dive into an established canvass operation with both enthusiasm and skill. You’ll take charge of our current field plan, boost its efficiency, and tackle new challenges with a hands-on, proactive approach. This role is more than just management—it’s about innovating and enhancing our data-driven canvass to build real community power.

At MI United Action, we believe in transformational organizing, and our canvass is anything but ordinary. You’ll collaborate with the Communications, Organizing, and Movement Politics teams to drive our issue based 2024 door-to-door canvassing program. If you’re a seasoned professional with a proven track record in field operations and you’re excited about turning strategies into impactful results, we want to hear from you!

MI United’s Theory of Change:

Michigan United is building a vibrant, inclusive movement 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, and gender justice lens. We are a hub of people-centered leadership development, issue organizing, and civic power building. We are movement builders.

Michigan United’s theory of change is rooted in our core values. We start from the position that everyone deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential and live with dignity. We’re committed to bridging gaps and fostering unity across different communities, recognizing that our destinies are linked in the fight for equity and justice.

Michigan United is dedicated to dismantling white supremacy, economic injustice, 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 movement that reflects our multiracial 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 pave the way for the radical, systemic changes our communities need and deserve.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

As the Electoral Field Director, you will be responsible for the execution of MUA’s field plan and the management of canvass personnel. You will report directly to the Movement Politics Director.

Your typical week responsibilities could look similar to this:

• Planning and executing hiring interviews and regional onboardings for new canvassing fellows along with Canvass Managers and Deputy Field Directors
• Creating agendas and leading meetings with the political team and with the Canvass Management team to ensure alignment and ample communication
• Planning and assigning turf with the aid of the Electoral Data Manager
• Develop and refine our GOTV operations in preparation for the November General Election
• Visiting each location in person to determine canvass needs with firsthand experience and to ensure canvassing standards are being followed and implemented including a personal commitment to direct voter contact
• Coordinate any lit production or supply purchases with the Canvass Managers
• Prepare a weekly report analyzing the health and production of the canvass using both qualitative and quantitative data
• Review and analyze the canvass results to ensure quality control and canvass data integrity
• Review, create, maintain, and implement systems and workflows for turf tracking, canvasser performance, and managerial efficacy

Programmatic responsibilities include:

• Create and maintain a canvass that maintains a culture of accountability, purpose, and joyous rebellion
• Track and maintain dashboards on the canvass metrics including, but not limited to: doors per canvasser, doors per hour, doors per week, top performers, turnover rate…etc
• Manage a staff of Deputy Field Directors, Canvass Managers, and up to 100 canvassers spread across the state
• Expanding to new locations and creating systems and infrastructure to support the canvass
• Being responsible for the supplies and maintenance of office locations and shared spaces
• Implementing an energy and joy plan to ensure the canvass maintains positivity and affirmations
• Ensure the turf tracker is being kept up to date and the information is accurate
• Ensure that interview and hiring processes are being following according to MUA policy and drive ongoing hiring processes to grow the canvass with outstanding managers and canvassers
• Process incident reports and provide resources for canvass team members who need additional support
• Ensure scripts are being performed correctly and are compliant with applicable laws and regulations
• Implement a plan for political team and managers to interact and participate in the field plan
• Coordinate with the Canvass Management team and the Training Director to execute a canvassing fellowship training program
• Devise and implement a system for rapidly handing off volunteer leads to permanent organizing staff and relational organizers

REQUIREMENTS

• A commitment to MI United Action’s theory of change and a strong commitment to racial, gender, and economic justice and their intersections, both inside and outside the organization
• A desire to learn and grow as a leader and further develop communications skills
• Previous experience managing a paid canvassing program
• A high energy, self starter capable of executing plans and implementing creative solutions to problems
• Ability to work with individually within larger teams to achieve a common goal
• Strong understanding of VAN and electoral data, “organizing math”, and canvass best practices
• Reliable transportation
• Not required, but would be advantages to success in this role : Previously developed training materials, experience with predictive dialer platforms, an understanding of c3 and c4 compliance rules, good people skills, patience and poise in stressful situations, an ability to foresee problems and implement solutions before they become problems, ability to self reflect and adapt, and a commitment to the personal growth and well being of all canvassing team members.

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 50 hours + with flexibility to set your own schedule based on the needs of the canvass. Evening and weekends availability is required. There will be periodic travel around the state, with intermittent out-of-state travel.

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

OUR COMMITMENTS:

DISABILITY, DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

MI United / MI United Action is an Equal Opportunity Employer; womxn, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI people are strongly encouraged to apply.

TRAINING

MI United / MI United Action has a robust training program that will be made available to staff as part of their work schedules. Training may include developing organizer and management skills.

DEVELOPMENT

MI United / MI United Action believes in transformational, not transactional, organizing. We take our duty to develop our members, volunteers, leaders, and staff into the next generation of this movement’s leaders very seriously. Previous staff and current members, volunteers, and leaders are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to apply.

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 via Paylocity. 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 with the aim of 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 individuals who are underrepresented on the basis of 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), affiliated with the Newspaper Guild of Detroit, Local 34022. The person hired for this position will not become a bargaining unit member.

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