Jobs at Common Cause
Common Cause is one of the most active, effective, and respected nonprofit organizations working for political change in America. We are a nonpartisan citizens' lobby, dedicated to making government responsive and accountable to the people. Since the 1970s, we have led the fight for campaign finance reforms, ethics and accountability in government, civil rights, and open government on national, state and local levels.
Today, Common Cause is working to stop further consolidation of the media, to advance campaign reforms that make people and ideas more important than money, to ensure that our voting and election systems are accurate and accessible, and to increase participation in the political process. Common Cause strives to strengthen our democracy by empowering our nearly 400,000 members and supporters and the general public to take action on critical policy issues.
The following positions are available at Common Cause and will remain posted until they are filled. Please follow the application instructions listed for each position. Unfortunately, due to the volume of resumes received, we are unable to accept telephone calls in reference to the listed positions.
Common Cause offers a full range of benefits to our employees. Our health and welfare plans include medical, dental, vision, life insurance options, flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance program, and long term disability insurance. We offer a 401(k) plan to save for retirement and we have generous holiday and vacation policies.
Jobs available as of May 18, 2012:
Executive Director, Common Cause Florida
Internship, Development
Internship, Democracy Matters
POSITION AVAILABLE: Executive Director, Common Cause Florida
REPORTS TO: Vice President, State Operations; Regional Director, State Operations
RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop and implement grassroots organizing strategies to build support for the Common Cause agenda. Develop and execute lobbying strategies to generate pressure on federal, state, and local elected officials and other decision-makers. Work to build and participate in effective and diverse political coalitions, especially on redistricting and election administration issues. Communicate with the public and Common Cause members across the state, both through the media and other means. Coordinate state membership activities and expand Common Cause membership in the state by attracting new and diverse constituencies to the organization. Raise money, using a variety of fundraising strategies, to fund Common Cause programs. Develop and oversee the state budget. Produce timely and high quality policy research. Develop a strong working state advisory board. Manage the operations of the Common Cause state organization, including recruitment, training and supervision of other staff, volunteers and interns. Work with staff in Washington, DC, the region, and in other states, and serve as liaison to the national office.
QUALIFICATIONS: Demonstrated leadership and organizing ability; excellent written and oral communications skills; strong fundraising skills; familiarity with the state legislature and legislative process; strong interpersonal skills; commitment to the public interest; ability to work independently in a deadline driven environment with competing priorities; willingness to travel; skill in public speaking; knowledge of desktop publishing, volunteer management, database management and financial management desirable. Working knowledge of some HTML development systems, web content management systems, social media tools - i.e., Facebook, Twitter, etc. Commitment to the values and issues of Common Cause and the Common Cause Education Fund.
TO APPLY: Please submit resume, cover letter and salary requirements to Director of Human Resources at hr@commoncause.org and include Executive Director –Florida in the subject line; or fax to 202.355.7546 No phone calls please. Applicants are encouraged to respond as soon as possible.
POSITION AVAILABLE: Internship, Development
REPORTS TO: Vice President for Resource Development
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Common Cause is seeking a Development Intern with excellent research, writing, technical, organizational, and analytical skills to assist in fundraising efforts for national and state based programs. The intern will support Common Cause’s Development department in the areas of foundation grants, major donors, membership, and special events.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Conduct prospect research and write summary papers on individuals and foundations using Internet research tools. Must be able to pay attention to wealth capacity and philanthropic inclination; Assist in the production of letters to donors and foundation funders which includes managing Excel spreadsheets, mail-merging, mailing letters, and maintaining files; Provide support for events, which may include tracking RSVP’s, providing research, helping with logistics of event planning, and on-site assistance, and assisting with follow-up to attendees; Provide input and research support for a new youth engagement/fundraising initiative; Support on other fundraising activities as needed.
QUALIFICATIONS: Proficiency with Microsoft Office as well as basic administrative skills; Familiarity with fundraising is a plus; Strong writing and research skills; Attention to detail is necessary.
TO APPLY: Please send your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to hr@commoncause.org. and include "Development Internship" in the subject line. No phone calls please. Applicants are encouraged to respond as soon as possible. For more information, please visit www.commoncause.org.
POSITION AVAILABLE: Internship, Democracy Matters
REPORTS TO: Executive Director, Democracy Matters
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Democracy Matters (DM), a non-partisan campus-based project of Common Cause, working to get big private money out of politics and people back in. We’re a national organization offering an exciting internship opportunity to committed students to engage in political activism on their own campuses. Adonal Foyle, DM President and 13 year veteran NBA player, founded DM because he believes that students should have more of a voice in our democracy. In our ten year history, we have reached thousands of students on hundreds of campuses.
RESPONSIBILITIES: Organize for Social Change; Address campaign finance reform, public financing of elections, and other initiatives that deepen democracy and related issues of global warming, tuition increases, and health care; Receive training and background policy initiatives by Democracy Matters and Common Cause. (No expertise in campaign finance reform is required.); Build coalitions of student activists on your campus; Create a Democracy Matters chapter that works with students, faculty and community activists to get private money out of politics and people back in; Develop and gain skills as a grassroots organizer; Organize at least four on-campus campaigns/events per semester; Year long internship (September – May); 10 hours a week (may vary).
QUALIFICATIONS: Must be a current student at a college or university in order to recruit and train other students (no class level requirement); Serious interest in politics, social change, and political reform; Some organizing experience is encouraged, but not required.
BENEFITS: Stipend of $500 a semester; Connections to Democracy Matters alums all over the country; Interns are mentored by professional Democracy Matters staff while developing leadership skills; Free attendance at our Annual Student Summit; The internship can be coordinated with the school’s practicum or internship programs to receive school credit; Networks of policy makers, public officials, Common Cause staff and board members are available to support your interests; Receive Democracy Matters materials – banner, flyers, DVD, t-shirt, stickers, and pins – to spread across your campus.
There are two annual trainings for interns: one in New York in January and one in California in July. Please state which you are more geographically near in your cover letter.
TO APPLY: Please submit resume, cover letter to Director of Human Resources at hr [at] commoncause.org and include "Democracy Matters Internship" in the subject line; or fax to 202.355.7546 No phone calls please. Applicants are encouraged to respond as soon as possible. For more information, please visit: www.commoncause.org.
Common Cause is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, party or political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any illegal or prohibited factor.
