Careers in Faith & Justice

Vermont Interfaith Action seeks a Lead Organizer to lead organizing efforts in Chittenden County. The primary focus of this position is implementing VIA's Community Resilience Hub Initiative by building relationships with faith communities, immigrant communities, and grassroots leaders, developing local leadership, and strengthening community-based organizing.

Working closely with the Executive Director as one of VIA's two organizing staff members, the Lead Organizer will carry a portfolio of organizing work while helping shape organizing strategy and expand VIA's presence in Chittenden County. While initially focused on the Community Resilience Hub Initiative, the position is expected to evolve as VIA's organizing work, partnerships, and funding continue to grow. 

Community Organizing

• Lead implementation of VIA's Community Resilience Hub Initiative in Chittenden County
• Build relationships through one-to-one conversations with clergy, faith communities, immigrant communities, neighborhood leaders, and community organizations
• Recruit, train, and support grassroots leaders through one-to-one meetings, Community Resilience Potlucks, leadership trainings, and other community-building events that strengthen locally led Mutual Aid & Safety Hubs
• Support community leaders in identifying local issues, developing organizing campaigns, and taking collective action
• Support successful implementation of grant deliverables and project outcomes while helping document activities and integrating the work into VIA's broader organizing mission

Organizational Leadership

• Collaborate with the Executive Director on organizing strategy, campaign priorities, and leadership development
• Represent VIA with coalition partners, faith communities, elected officials, and the Faith in Action network, as appropriate
• Support fundraising, grant implementation, organizational planning, and administrative responsibilities as needed
• Participate in Faith in Action regional and national training and other professional development opportunities

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to community organizing, leadership development, and social justice.
• Experience in community, faith-based, labor, electoral, or grassroots organizing, whether professionally or as a volunteer.
• Strong relational skills and the ability to build trust across diverse communities.
• Experience facilitating meetings, trainings, or community gatherings.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team.
• Respect for and ability to work effectively with people from diverse faith traditions, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel within Vermont.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven experience recruiting, developing, and supporting grassroots or volunteer leaders.
• Knowledge of Vermont's political, nonprofit, or faith community landscape.
• Experience with coalition building, community campaigns, or faith-based organizing.
• Experience managing grant-funded projects or coordinating multiple community initiatives.
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of lived, volunteer, and professional experience.
• Spanish or another language spoken by Vermont immigrant communities is a plus.

VIA has a strong learning culture that includes regular coaching, bi-weekly staff development, annual retreats, and regional and national Faith in Action trainings. We place a high priority on relationship building, leadership development, continuous learning, and creating a respectful, multi-faith workplace.

This is a part-time position averaging 20 hours per week, based in Chittenden County. The schedule is flexible and includes occasional evenings, weekends, and travel throughout Vermont. As VIA grows, additional hours may become available based on organizational needs and funding.