State Campaign Organizer - Iowa

Reports to: Director of Organizing

Location: Remote from Iowa with travel (Des Moines highly preferred)

About REFORM Alliance 

REFORM is committed to transforming probation and parole throughout the United States by changing laws, systems, and culture. The organization is working to replace America’s criminal justice system with a restorative approach that is fair, accountable, and invested in rehabilitation. Our goal is for people to reenter society with dignity, create meaningful pathways to work, and equip them with the tools to succeed all while making families and communities safer and stronger.

REFORM was founded in the wake of the #FreeMeek movement. The Board includes award-winning recording artist Meek Mill; Fanatics executive chairman Michael Rubin; Arnold Ventures co-founder Laura Arnold; entrepreneur and business mogul Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter; Kraft Group CEO and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft; Galaxy Digital CEO and founder Michael E. Novogratz; Vista Equity Partners founder, chairman, CEO Robert F. Smith; Brooklyn Nets co-owner, businesswoman, investor, and philanthropist Clara Wu Tsai; CEO and President of Live Nation Entertainment Michael Rapino; and co-founder and Executive Chairperson of Cincoro Tequila Emilia Fazzalari. Criminal justice advocate Jessica Jackson leads the organization as CEO.

About the Role

REFORM seeks a State Campaign Organizer - Iowa (Organizer) to lead our state criminal justice reform efforts across the state. There is key legislation to be passed in Iowa, and this person will play the most important role in achieving that goal.

The Organizer will build a network, engage groups, and enlist their support to educate state and federal lawmakers about criminal justice issues and reform. The Organizer will amplify the work of REFORM’s partners  and support them to identify the most pressing and winnable issues. 

This role will work with REFORM staff and partners to track the development of legislative and administrative actions at the state level; lead strategic campaign planning efforts; mobilize constituencies; and build coalitions with grassroots and policy experts in local and state jurisdictions.

This person will also play a hands-on role in communications and digital media by leading local press outreach, guiding digital strategy, and developing messaging and marketing materials in collaboration with other staff, partners, and external consultants.

To be successful in this role, the Organizer must have successful experience working with Iowa Legislation, exceptional writing skills, excellent research skills, and be comfortable working under multiple, competing deadlines.

This role will report to the Director of Organizing and is a member of the Community Engagement team.

Candidates who have been personally impacted by the criminal justice system and/or are deeply committed to bipartisan reform efforts are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a campaign to drive action by key legislators for robust probation and parole policy through organizing and coalition building, creative communication, and strategic legislative tactics.
• Create campaign assets (emails, petition pages, social media content).
• Use analytics to sharpen state-based campaigns and strengthen impact.
• Lead, expand, and engage the Probation and Parole REFORM supporter base in Iowa by building diverse networks of supporters and advocates.
• Develop and coordinate a robust program to get the real experiences of people in Iowa into the media and in front of key legislators, including conducting interviews to develop their stories, organizing storytelling activities and story dissemination, and integrating stories into communications.
• Plan and organize field hearings, media events, panel discussions, and other events.
• Represent REFORM within various coalitions, and collaborate and develop relationships with current and new partners to build a robust, multi-faceted campaign.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• At least 2 years of experience, and ideally 3-5 years, leading state or national, issue-based campaigns with a strong preference for criminal justice policy.
• Excellent understanding of the nuance of the Iowa Legislation, strong relationships with Bipartisan networks, and a history of success working alongside key stakeholders to achieve common goals

Preferred Qualifications

• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to convey information clearly, concisely, and compellingly both written and verbal
• Entrepreneurial and ambitious drive with the ability to independently own the work in Iowa coupled with the ability to be creative and work quickly. 
• Top-notch project management skills to be able to stay organized, meet deadlines on tight turnarounds, and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
• Strong strategic mindset with the ability to think deeply while also acting quickly and  decisively.
• Excellent Team Player who can work effectively with diverse grassroots constituencies, policy-makers, and internal staff.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain coalitions in support of legislative campaigns and strong background as a successful organizer and/or campaigner.
• Strong research and policy analytical skills.
• Clear passion for and commitment to REFORM’s mission.

Work Demands

• Must live in Iowa; Des Moines is highly preferred
• Must be willing to travel throughout the state for various meetings and events at least 50% of the time
• Travel to other REFORM offices in NYC or DC a few times per year

Salary

The salary for this position, which depends on prior work experience and our assessment of your demonstrated fit for the role, will likely be ~ $65,000. REFORM offers competitive base salaries based on the 75th percentile of the market among not-for-profit organizations of similar size, with opportunities for salary growth over time. We believe in compensating staff members fairly in relation to each other, their qualifications, and their impact on behalf of the organization, and take internal and external equity seriously.

Our current benefits* include

• Competitive salaries in the market of similar non-profit organizations
• Comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other ancillary options.
• 20 days of Paid Time Off (PTO) during the first year of employment in addition to org-wide holidays (11), and winter shutdown during the last week of December
• 4% 401(k) match after 30 days of employment 
• Coverage of 100% of health insurance premiums for employees (health, vision & dental)
• $75.00 monthly cell phone reimbursement

*Please note that the organization reserves the right to change benefits at any time. 

At REFORM Alliance, we strive to move hearts and minds to create a more humane criminal justice system. This requires a company culture that values employee individuality and community development. We are committed to fostering an environment that is inclusive, empowering, and globally minded. We firmly believe that diversity in gender, race, ethnicity, sexual identity, cultural background, religion, disability, and age produces ideas and perspectives that make our efforts stronger for people unjustly in the system and make our communities safer.

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