Organizer

Californians for Justice (CFJ) is seeking a Organizer to strengthen and grow our organizing efforts in Oakland. This role is critical to advancing our mission by leading impactful, youth-centered campaigns, cultivating local leadership, and driving community-rooted strategies that create meaningful and lasting change.

Organization Overview

Californians for Justice (CFJ) is a dynamic, youth-powered organization leading the charge for racial and educational justice in California. Committed to uplifting marginalized communities, CFJ empowers young people—particularly from communities of color, immigrants, low-income families, and LGBTQIA2S /TGNC youth—to drive change in their schools and communities. Through grassroots organizing, leadership development, and advocacy, CFJ equips youth with the tools and knowledge to challenge systemic inequities and shape education policy. This youth-led approach ensures that students, not just adults or policymakers, are at the forefront of efforts to transform their educational experiences and opportunities.

With regional offices in Fresno, Long Beach, San Jose, and Oakland, CFJ has scaled its impact across California, serving a diverse cross-section of the state’s youth. Our organization’s team remains deeply connected to the communities it serves. CFJ’s work is rooted in the belief that the future of education in California hinges on the voices of young people. Through its campaigns, CFJ ensures those voices are amplified, empowering students to be key drivers of change in education policy and practice.

CFJ is known for its collaborative, purpose-driven culture, where staff are valued for their diverse perspectives and contributions. The organization fosters trust, inclusivity, and shared ownership of its mission, empowering team members to bring their skills and insights to the work of racial and educational justice. With a strong focus on professional development, mentorship, and leadership growth, CFJ ensures that its staff not only make a difference in their communities but also continue to evolve in their careers. Through this approach, CFJ is reshaping education and fostering a more just and equitable future for all students in California

Position Overview

Organizers play an essential role in advancing CFJ’s mission by supporting youth-led organizing that addresses racial and educational inequities. Rooted in community care, intergenerational learning, and collective action, this role focuses on building strong, trust-based relationships with young people and community members while supporting their growth as leaders and organizers. Organizers plan and carry out outreach and recruitment efforts, facilitate youth leadership development, and support local and statewide campaigns in alignment with community needs and organizational priorities.

Organizers embody CFJ’s values of joy, accountability, and transformative organizing by helping to create inclusive, supportive spaces where young people can build leadership and organizing skills and engage in collective action. This role also contributes to organizational sustainability through grassroots fundraising, collaboration across teams, and participation in shared initiatives. The position requires strong interpersonal and communication skills, a demonstrated commitment to social justice, and the ability to engage and motivate others toward a shared vision of collective liberation.

Additional Details 

This full-time,  exempt position involves discretion and independent judgment and is based out of one of CFJ’s four office locations (Fresno, Long Beach, Oakland, or San Jose).  All members of the Organizing Team are required to work in person within their designated community and home office; this is not a hybrid or remote position. The role also requires occasional statewide travel and work on weekends. 

Organizational Competencies 

All Organizers at CFJ are expected to demonstrate proficiency in the following competencies:

• Impactful Collaboration - Inspired by the work; inspires others to engage in the movement. Manages projects and recommends deliverables and timelines that are well prioritized and met with an appropriate level of urgency for accomplishing team goals. Results have been rigorously tested with multiple possible scenarios and solutions accounted for.
• Problem Solving -Asks and begins to answer: What else can we try? Has full knowledge of job area, enabling solutions to problems that are tailored for the unique needs of the project. Foresees near-term problems that may arise and creates plans for mitigation or proactively seeks help from leadership in removing roadblocks.
• Sustainability - Initiates resilient protagonism without direction from supervisor. Models rest/reflection/action for community leaders. Is self-aware of their own growth opportunities; Requests and responds to feedback. Learn to share feedback with peers.
• Communication - Begins to practice effective communication to various audiences - executive leaders, community leaders, press, etc. Communicates decisions through documentation, presentations or other communication channels. Communicates effectively across teams, proactively identifies challenges for projects and communicates these issues early to help course-correct.
• Relationship-Building - Achieves goals through effectively working with others. Has built trust by leading by example, adhering to deadlines, operating with empathy, and setting and managing expectations.

Essential Responsibilities

Outreach and Base building  (40%) 

• Lead ongoing base-building efforts across school sites and in the broader community (e.g., neighborhoods, local events, street outreach, and door-knocking).
• Design and implement outreach strategies to recruit new youth into CFJ’s campaigns and programs, including in-person tabling, 1:1 conversations, phone/text banking, and follow-ups.
• Build, support, and nurture strong, trust-based relationships with school teachers, administrators, and staff, positioning teachers as allies in movement work and expanding outreach beyond school walls to foster deep, meaningful connections within the broader community.
• Develop an outreach team of members /community.
• Collaborate with youth leaders and other staff to expand CFJ’s visibility and reach in local communities.
• Shift CFJ’s outreach model beyond schools—deepening community connections and building power across broader youth networks.

Leadership Development  (25%)

• Facilitate youth leadership development programming—including meetings, training sessions, and political education workshops.
• Supervise and support interns and members, ensuring they develop skills in organizing, strategy, social-emotional resilience, and self-determination.
• Identify and nurture emerging youth leaders, supporting their growth into organizing roles within CFJ.
• Coach, support, and develop young people to take on greater responsibility and participate in our Distributed Leadership Model by facilitating meetings, speaking at public events, planning events, and leading outreach teams. 
• Assess political education needs and contribute to writing a curriculum that meets the needs of the regional and statewide base

Campaign Organizing (20%) 

• Support implementation of CFJ’s local and statewide campaign strategies, in alignment with organizational and regional goals.
• Contribute to power mapping, community-based participatory action research, and landscape analysis with the potential of leading site-based actions/events
• Build and maintain strategic relationships in the community to advance regional and statewide goals, including with community partners, teachers, and others. 
• Support and mobilize the base to campaign events, actions, press conferences, and delegation meetings with decision-makers.
• Contribute to CFJ’s electoral organizing work
• Represent CFJ in local coalitions, ally spaces, and community convenings as needed

Organizational Leadership Responsibilities (10%)

• Engaging in Fundraising Activities/Deliverables: Participate in organization-wide grassroots fundraising campaigns and support philanthropic fundraising efforts, relationship-building, and funder site visits.
• Shared Leadership & Staff Participation: Actively participate in all required staff spaces, including meetings, retreats (virtual and in person), and organization-wide campaign events; rotate facilitation and note-taking responsibilities as part of shared leadership practices.
• Culture & Committee Engagement: Contribute to a healthy organizational culture by participating in culture-building efforts and serving on at least one organization-wide or cross-functional committee (e.g., staff planning, political education, retreat planning), as aligned with organizational needs.
• Regional & Office Responsibilities: Engage in region-specific responsibilities, including participation in campaign-related events/actions as needed, regional meetings, community-building activities, and shared office or site-based roles that support team cohesion and effective operations.
• Model and uphold CFJ’s values of collective care, joy, and accountability within youth and community spaces. 

Administrative Responsibilities (5%)

• Participate in weekly 1:1 check-ins with your supervisor to receive coaching, track progress, and align on priorities.
• Complete weekly reports or work plans to reflect on progress and identify support needs.
• Help maintain internal tracking systems for outreach, youth participation, leadership development, and event follow-up. 
• Support with writing and maintaining agendas, notes, and curricula for youth spaces, meetings, and outreach sessions.
• Respond to emails, Slack messages, and other team communications in a timely and professional manner.

And other duties as needed. 

Essential Qualifications

• Demonstrated success with a minimum of 1 year of experience in community, youth, and education organizing or education capacity building work.
• At least 1 year of experience and expertise in racial and educational justice, combined with a deep commitment to student engagement.
• Expertise in training and facilitation, with a demonstrated ability to engage diverse interest holder audiences.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, ensuring effective conveyance of ideas and information.
• Outstanding organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines, attention to detail, and thorough follow-through.
• Proven ability to problem-solve and initiate effective solutions in a dynamic work environment.
• Thrives in a collaborative team environment, contributing positively to team dynamics and outcomes.
• Strong computer skills, particularly in Microsoft Office and various applications relevant to the role.
• Demonstrates the capacity to build and maintain meaningful relationships with our community, colleagues, and youth members while consistently maintaining professional boundaries and ensuring all interactions are appropriate, respectful, and aligned with organizational standards.
• Must be able to travel locally to support program needs, including transporting youth to and from meetings or events when required, in compliance with organizational policy. A valid driver’s license and access to insured transportation are required.
• This role requires schedule flexibility, which may include working evenings or weekends based on program and organizational needs. This expectation applies to both salaried and hourly positions.

 Physical and Functional Job Requirements

This role involves performing job duties that may include: 

• Working primarily at a computer workstation for extended periods of time.
• Using standard office equipment, including a keyboard and computer.
• Accessing and engaging with information presented on a computer screen or in printed materials.
• Communicating effectively with colleagues, partners, and community members through verbal and written methods, including phone, digital, and in-person communication. 
• Receiving and responding to information shared verbally or in writing, including via phone or virtual platforms. 
• Following written and verbal instructions related to job responsibilities. 
• Occasionally moving or handling materials or equipment weighing up to 10 pounds.

Compensation

The salary for this position is  $33.68 per hour (approx. $70,059 annually),  which is aligned with all CFJ Associate-level salaries.

CFJ offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial wellbeing, and work–life balance. This includes employer-sponsored health coverage, an FSA, a 401(k) retirement plan, half-day Fridays, a generous holiday schedule, and the opportunity to take a sabbatical after five years of service.

Apply Today! 

Californians for Justice (CFJ) is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team. We strongly encourage individuals with the skills and experience needed for this role to apply. Applications will be accepted through May 2, 2026.

Salary : $34