JOB: New Mexico Canvass Director (Albuquerque, NM)

[Gwen Emmons]

Forward Together is looking for a dynamic canvassing professional to implement and lead a new canvassing program for Strong Families New Mexico, a state-based action site of Forward Together. We are seeking an ambitious, organized, and high-performing individual who loves to canvass, and has strong communication skills. The ideal candidate has experience in leading a team of canvassers, creating and revising messaging, and creating/maintaining systems for a door-to-door canvass program, including experience with VAN. If you are committed to social justice, eager to grow, have stellar people skills, and believe that social movements should be owned by the people, this position is for you. This is a unique opportunity to be an integral player within the New Mexico team at one of the leading reproductive justice and low-income family rights organizations in the country. Application deadline: Friday, April 22, 2016.  

The New Mexico Canvass Director is responsible for leading, implementing, and evaluating the canvassing program in four counties. This position’s primary focus is to lead a team of canvassers in four counties, hire canvassers, revise scripts used at the doors, run the daily canvass team meetings, use VAN to export and import data, and ensure the safe tracking and handling of all voter data. In addition to leading the canvass teams, the New Mexico Canvass Director also communicates regularly with our state-wide partners in order to ensure there is coordination between our canvasses and work being done in collaboration with our county partners. The Canvass Director is also responsible for aligning the canvass program to the broader goals of Strong Families New Mexico.

 You’re perfect for this position if…

• You love connecting with people
• You are a strong and creative verbal communicator
• You provide direct and timely feedback
• You’ve managed a team of folks trying to achieve a concrete goal
• You are comfortable talking to strangers at the door
• You are a strong team leader
• You are known as organized and able to meet goals

Responsibilities 

• In collaboration with the Senior Policy Director, NM Program Director, and NM Field Director, develop canvass plans as needed to advance programmatic goals.
• Adjust daily and weekly canvassing plans as needed to ensure that programmatic goals are met.
• Recruit and hire new canvassers.
• Manage 5-15 staff for the canvass, including training, supervising, and developing canvassers. Evaluate staff performance and give ongoing feedback.
• Run canvasser staff meetings.
• Create presentations as needed to educate and motivate staff.
• Ensure that canvassers are well-integrated into the Strong Families New Mexico team and network as a whole.
• Foster a team-based environment for a diverse group of canvassers. Inspire confidence and success in the team on a daily basis.
• Lead by example in the field through personal success in identifying supporters and collecting signatures.
• Oversee administrative functions related to campaign goals, staff management, and general office management.
• Ensure staff’s payroll is accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
• Support building alignment with our partner organizations and community supporters by co-leading meetings or events.

Application deadline is this Friday, April 22.  For more details please visit our website.  To apply, please send cover letter, resume, writing sample and 3 references to: jo...@forwardtogether.org with the subject line “NM Canvass Director".