CeaseFirePA, Pennsylvania leading state-based gun violence prevention organization, is accepting applications for an End Gun Violence Organizer to be based in the Harrisburg or Lehigh Valley, PA areas. Our new Organizer will help to build a core of volunteers, engage allies in this work, and advocate for life-saving policy solutions with local decision-makers.

CeaseFirePA envisions a world where everyone across the Commonwealth feels safe from gun violence because they are safe. Tragically, gun violence takes the lives of 1,900 Pennsylvanians every year, with a disproportionate impact on people of color. Rural communities lose loved ones to suicide on an alarming basis. Over our two decades of work, we’ve expanded background checks, disarmed abusers, and won $185 million for community-based violence prevention programs. 

Most Pennsylvanians support life-saving gun safety laws, but too many elected officials fail to act. Our End Gun Violence Organizer will help build the necessary power in the region for a Common Agenda to End Gun Violence and other life-saving policies.

About the job:

As the End Gun Violence Organizer, you will grow a local movement to pressure and hold accountable decision-makers for this ongoing public health crisis. You are giving people the opportunity to take action on an issue which is concerning to so many, empowering them to put their beliefs into action. Specifically, your responsibilities will include:

• Expanding grassroots support and developing volunteer leaders: You will educate supporters on the local impacts of gun violence and policy solutions, motivating them to take action. You will build a core of volunteers ready to organize their community, write letters to the editor, lobby elected officials, and more.
• Building and strengthening partnerships: You will forge relationships with faith leaders, medical professionals, teachers, anti-violence leaders, community activists, and law enforcement to grow our coalition of committed partners advocating for life-saving gun laws.
• Changing the narrative on gun violence: You will help bring local acts of gun violence to policy conversations, helping to educate the public and decision-makers. You will raise the voices of survivors, bringing their stories to the media, the community, and even Harrisburg.
• Advocating for policy solutions with decision-makers: Together with allies and volunteers, you will organize protests, town halls, marches, and other engagement events to pressure decision-makers into acting. You will bring these volunteers and allies to share their stories with legislators in lobby meetings.

What we’re looking for in you:

• You have at least one year of experience in grassroots organizing, advocacy, community outreach, or related work in a nonprofit setting. Experience in an advocacy environment is ideal.
• You have experience reaching out to and building close relationships with volunteers and allies. You are comfortable and excited reaching out to potential allies and supporters, spending time on phone and video calls to recruit them to events and actions.
• You have strong public speaking skills that can motivate, persuade, and mobilize Pennsylvanians to get involved.
• You are good with details, thinking through the steps to plan everything from a big event to a successful training for volunteers. 
• You are a self-starter who enjoys implementing new projects and who is also excited to work on a team. 
• You can communicate and interact effectively with people from different cultures and lived experiences.
• You are passionate about working for social justice and a better world.

Preferred qualifications: 

• You have good connections and/ or knowledge of the landscape in either the Harrisburg or Lehigh Valley PA areas;

More about our team: CeaseFirePA is made up of people from a variety of backgrounds including staff from legislative offices, advocacy organizations, nonprofits, as well as survivors, youth, parents, and more who care deeply about these issues. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming place for people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, parents, empty-nesters, and more. 

Details: Candidates must be based in either the Harrisburg, PA area or Lehigh Valley, PA area or willing to relocate to one of these locations. *You must have your own car and be willing to drive.* You will work from your home, traveling around the community you are organizing. This is a full-time position and you will report to our Organizing Manager and work closely with our organizing team and staff across the organization. 

CeaseFirePA requires its staff to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, based on CDC guidelines, to help protect our staff, allies, volunteers, and family members. 

SALARY & BENEFITS: Salary is $40,000 – $45,000 annually, depending on ability and experience. We have an excellent benefits package for full-time staff, including fully covered health care for yourself and one dependent, paid time off, a retirement plan with matching support, and a training stipend. 

TO APPLY: Click on the application button and complete our application. Please include your resume and let us know how you heard about the job. CeaseFire PA is working with Rooted Edge Consulting to coordinate this search.

Research suggests that women; Indigenous, Black, Asian, Pacific Islanders, or other persons of color; and individuals with differing abilities are less likely than men and white job-seekers to apply for positions unless they are confident they meet 100% of the listed qualifications. If you don’t meet all of the qualifications, but you’re interested, we want to hear from you. 

CeaseFirePA provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We value a diverse workforce.