Issue Advocacy Organizer

Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) is seeking a full-time Issue Advocacy Organizer to support our issue-based campaigns centered around climate justice, housing, and LGBTQ2S+ equality. This organizer will build community around the issues that matter to young Montanans, foster networks of support, and develop engaging educational programming about housing, climate justice, and LGBTQ2S+ equality in our state to ensure young people’s sustained engagement in Montana’s political landscape. If you have a passion for making creative change and building power with your peers, this is the job for you!

Who We Are

Forward Montana (FMT) and Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) are dedicated to engaging and mobilizing young Montanans to help shape their democracy to improve their lives and the lives of fellow Montanans. We put young people on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts out of Bozeman, Bozeman, Billings, and the greater Flathead area.

What You’ll Do

The Issue Advocacy Organizer, who is based in Montana and reports to the Senior Advocacy Manager, is responsible for the following:

  • Building & fostering relationships with community members and peers in housing, climate, and LGBTQ+ organizing spaces 
  • Developing educational events and materials to help young Montanans understand and engage with our issue work
    • Development & distribution of an annually-published Zine focused on trans joy (and/or other issue areas at the organizer’s discretion)
  • Hosting monthly events, including but not limited to skillshare workshops, meet-and-greets, and issue-specific panel discussions
  • Being a regular presence at relevant community events to grow and engage our base and build buy-in for our issue work
  • Recruitment, retention, and development of new and existing volunteers to help expand the impact and scope of our work

Must-Haves
Here’s what success looks like

  • Relationship and community building:
    • You understand that all of the issues we work on are deeply connected and impact people in different and intersecting ways. 
    • You have experience developing and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with a diverse group of individuals.
    • You are committed to centering and amplifying the voices of the people most impacted by the issues we center, including but not limited to LGBTQ2S+, trans, and Two-Spirit Montanans.
    • You can communicate and create buy-in effectively with a variety of stakeholders, including peers, FMT interns, and community members either in-person or via Zoom. 
    • You’re committed to leadership development across all of Forward Montana’s programs and understand the importance of growing our member and volunteer base.
  • Creativity & Innovation:
    • You are creative & innovative when developing programs. 
    • You’re flexible, adaptable, and willing to try new things.
    • You’re down to wear a costume, not afraid to talk to strangers, can conduct field work for up to 8 hours at a time, hand out stickers that say ‘Give a Shit’, and are committed to finding ways to make new connections. 
  • Actively Anti-Racist:
    • You are committed to actively contributing to a more equitable and inclusive FMT by facilitating conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice with fellows, members, and within staff.
    • You’re committed to amplifying community voices to advocate for a more progressive, just Montana.
    • You recognize how your own identities show up in the work and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback with an eye towards continuous learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference. 

Experience in community organizing, event planning, and/or issue-based work are preferred, but not required. We understand that the right candidate may have experience in different areas. If you don’t meet all the requirements above but have an interest in learning, we encourage you to apply. 

If you were the Issue Advocacy Organizer right now, you would be:

  • Cultivating new relationships and volunteers to participate in your upcoming efforts through 1:1’s at a local coffee shop
  • Planning an LGBTQ+ skill-sharing event for folks to hone their facilitation skills, build community, and break down barriers
  • Brainstorming avenues for community support centered around climate, housing, and/or LGBTQ+ equality 
  • Developing educational resources to synthesize and communicate the importance of the complex policies and processes surrounding the issues that matter to our base

What Else You Should Know

Forward Montana is an equal opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by our issues and work. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ2S+ people, women, and people with disabilities to apply.

  • Logistics
    • This position is full-time and is based in Montana
    • You must be comfortable working unconventional hours occasionally — including nights and weekends
    • You must have the ability to travel once or twice a month, especially in the summer months (a valid driver’s license is required)
    • You’re comfortable conducting field work for up to 6-8 hours at a time in all weather conditions
    • This position includes both in-person and virtual components based on public health guidance around COVID-19
    • You must be comfortable being managed and building relationships with our statewide team remotely
    • There is a shared office space with other FMT staff available in Bozeman and Missoula

This is a full-time, non-exempt position at $18/hour. This position is eligible for overtime. Forward Montana also offers the following benefits:

  • 100% Employer paid Health Insurance, Life Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
  • Opt-in Employee paid Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Retirement plan with a 3% company match 
  • Cell phone reimbursement
  • Professional development funds
  • Generous paid time off, including paid family and medical leave

To Apply

Please send a resume and one-pager cover letter stating your interest in the position, why you think building community and engagement around climate, housing, and LGBTQ+ equality in Montana is important, and what skillsets you’d be excited to grow & develop in this position. 

If a cover letter isn’t your style, try something creative! We’re less concerned with the perfect cover letter and more interested in getting to know you, your passions, and what’d you bring to the position — slideshows, videos, graphics / visuals, portfolios, or just a more casual tone cover letter are all welcome. 

Please send application materials to hiring@forwardmontana.org. The priority deadline is September 30th. The preferred start date for this position is November 14th.

Content Specialist

Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) is seeking a full-time Content Specialist to create engaging content that supports programmatic, development, and organizational goals at Forward Montana and Forward Montana Foundation.

The ideal candidate is someone with graphic design skills and a passion for following Montana news. You’ll excel in this role if you love social media, have a knack for connecting with trends, you’re a newshound, and you have all-star writing skills.

Who We Are

Forward Montana (FMT) and Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) are dedicated to engaging and mobilizing young Montanans to help shape their democracy to improve their lives and the lives of fellow Montanans. We put young people on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts out of Bozeman, Bozeman, Billings, and the greater Flathead area.

What You’ll Do

The Content Specialist reports to the Communications Manager and is responsible for the following:

  • Identify and brainstorm creative ways to get Forward Montana’s audience(s) excited about democracy and involved in programming
  • Create fun and engaging graphics, short videos, and social media posts that support organizational goals 
  • Write copy for emails, social media posts, blog posts, opinion pieces, letters to the editors, and other writing pieces as assigned
  • Collecting photos and videos from staff members along with getting out into the field yourself to document the badass organizing happening! 
  • Managing social media channels and strategy by collaborating with Communications Manager on larger communications strategy, planning, developing, and publishing all content, and evaluating performance.  

Must-Haves
Here’s what success looks like:

  • Creative passion and experience:
    • You can use web-based tools like Canva for social media requests
    • You’ve already learned/want to become proficient in the Adobe suite
    • You understand Forward Montana’s ~*vibe*~ and are excited to continue to reach new audiences through innovative an inviting design and channels 
  • Writing chops:
    • You can take complex ideas (like a bill proposed in the MT legislature) and boil it down to a few bite-sized, accessible bullet points 
    • You easily navigate between writing captions for social posts and long-form content like blog posts
    • You’re not afraid to be cheeky in your writing and know how to adopt a brand voice
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently to manage a variety of projects and deadlines:
    • You’re comfortable balancing multiple requests per day
    • You have an iterative approach to systems and are open to collaborating with the Communications Manager to 
    • You’re not afraid to ask for support when determining what project you should prioritize 
    • You can identify ideas for dynamic content and get started on your own 
  • Up to date on social media platform best practices and trends
    • Even if you don’t personally use every social channel, you understand the value of social media for storytelling, outreach, and engagement!
    • You’re comfortable being funny, bold, and casual when it comes to creating social media content and harnessing trends quickly 
  • Actively Anti-Racist:
    • You are committed to actively contributing to a more equitable and inclusive FMT by facilitating conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice with the program team and our broader organization.
    • You’re committed to amplifying young voices to advocate for a more progressive, just Montana.
    • You recognize how your own identities show up in the work and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback while continuously learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference. 

We understand that the right candidate may have experience in different areas. If you don’t meet all the requirements above but have an interest in learning, we encourage you to apply.

If you were the Bozeman Field Manager right now, you would be:

  • Monitoring relevant topics on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok as well as local news sources
  • Creating bold graphics in Canva to publish on social media using branding guidelines and best practices
  • Collaborating with the Senior Organizing Manager to plan, write, and publish blog posts and podcasts
  • Pitching ideas for Forward Montana Foundation merch and swag 
  • Attending community-building events to capture photos and video

What Else You Should Know

Forward Montana is an equal opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by our issues and work. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ2S+ people, women, and people with disabilities to apply.

Logistics

  • This position is full-time (40 hours/week) and is based in Montana. Applicants must be permanent residents of Montana. Preferred locations are Missoula, Bozeman, or Billings.
  • You must be comfortable working unconventional hours occasionally — including nights and weekends
  • This position includes both in-person and virtual components based on public health guidance around COVID-19
  • You must be comfortable being managed and building relationships with our statewide team remotely

The salary for this position ranges from $40,000 – $43,000. Forward Montana also offers the following benefits:

  • 100% Employer paid Health Insurance, Life Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
  • Opt-in Employee paid Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Retirement plan with a 3% match
  • Technology reimbursement
  • Professional development funds
  • Generous paid time off, including paid family and medical leave

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a resume and one-page cover letter stating your interest in the position, why you think you’d be the right fit for Communications Manager at Forward Montana, and what skillsets you’d be excited to grow & develop in this position and previous samples of work that showcase your creative skills. 

Please send application materials to hiring@forwardmontana.org.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, preference will be given to applications who submit materials by September 26th. Preferred start date for this position is October 25th.

Communications Manager

Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) is seeking a full-time Communications Manager to develop and execute a robust communication strategy that supports programmatic and development efforts at Forward Montana and Forward Montana Foundation.

The ideal candidate is someone who can balance big-picture strategic vision with individual marketing and communication channels. You’ll excel in this role if you have a knack for data-driven decision making, collaboration, project management, and all-star writing skills.

Who We Are

Forward Montana (FMT) and Forward Montana Foundation (FMF) are dedicated to engaging and mobilizing young Montanans to help shape their democracy to improve their lives and the lives of fellow Montanans. We put young people on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts out of Bozeman, Bozeman, Billings, and the greater Flathead area.

What You’ll Do

The Communications Manager reports to the Development Director and leads the communications team and strategy to success. This includes managing a full-time staff member and up to two fellows, and reporting on communications team challenges and success. The Communications Manager  is responsible for the following: 

  • Work with the Program Director, Development Director, and Executive Director  to create and execute an annual communication plan and budget that aligns with the organization’s mission, vision, and goals
  • Directly manage a full time Content Specialist to identify, write, and create relevant, exciting content across organizational channels
  • Oversee management of organization’s website(s), and email communications 
  • Manage all press relationships in order to increase reach of organization’s work and cultivate positive local, state, and national earned media. 
  • Lead internal communication processes such as external communications requests and asset management 
  • Track metrics such as impressions, clicks, etc. in order to evaluate effectiveness of tactics and inform data-driven decision-making

Must-Haves
Here’s what success looks like:

  • Experience with communication strategy:
    • You set a high bar and meet it, because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to anticipate hurdles and can come up with pragmatic solutions on the fly 
    • You are comfortable with developing and implementing plans from start to finish
    • You can evaluate multiple internal and external communications requests while thinking about Forward Montana’s strategic communication plans
    • You understand that sometimes a rapid response need will shake up your plan, and you can deftly adjust and make strategic decisions based on priority
  • Familiarity with a broad range of digital platforms and tools including WordPress, social media enterprise channels, and email communications platforms:
    • You’re online and passionate about the ways that Forward Montana can reach young Montanans through social media 
    • You know the importance of segmentation and strategy when sending emails
    • You understand that partnerships are everything and are constantly seeking out new opportunities for Forward Montana to engage with new audiences and communities.
  • Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, write, and edit compelling content.
    • You love to write and are confident in your skills
    • You can easily navigate between writing bite-sized copy for social posts and long-form content like press releases 
    • You have a feedback mindset and are willing to ask for support and feedback on written content
  • Actively Anti-Racist:
    • You are committed to actively contributing to a more equitable and inclusive FMT by facilitating conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice with the program team and our broader organization.
    • You’re committed to amplifying young voices to advocate for a more progressive, just Montana.
    • You recognize how your own identities show up in the work and welcome, reflect on, and act on feedback while continuously learning about race, ability, and other lines of difference. 

We understand that the right candidate may have experience in different areas. If you don’t meet all the requirements above but have an interest in learning, we encourage you to apply. 

If you were the Bozeman Field Manager right now, you would be:

  • Mapping out a strategy and calendar for large campaigns like GOTV (Get Out the Vote) ahead of the primary election
  • Pitching stories to local journalists 
  • Trading screenshots with Content Specialist of social media trends Forward Montana could capitalize on and quickly deploying that content
  • Writing compelling copy for a monthly newsletter 
  • Monitoring metrics and making data-driven recommendations
  • Attending strategic meetings with program leaders

What Else You Should Know

Forward Montana is an equal opportunity employer and we value having staff who come from communities that are most impacted by our issues and work. We especially encourage people of color, LGBTQ2S+ people, women, and people with disabilities to apply.

  • Logistics
    • This position is full-time (40 hours/week) and is based in Montana. Applicants must be permanent residents of Montana. Preferred locations are Missoula, Bozeman, or Billings.
    • You must be comfortable working unconventional hours occasionally — including nights and weekends
    • You must have the ability to travel 1-3x/quarter (a valid driver’s license is required)
    • This position includes both in-person and virtual components based on public health guidance around COVID-19

The salary for this position ranges from $47,000 – $50,000. Forward Montana also offers the following benefits:

  • 100% Employer paid Health Insurance, Life Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program
  • Opt-in Employee paid Dental and Vision Insurance
  • Retirement plan with a 3% match
  • Technology reimbursement
  • Professional development funds
  • Generous paid time off, including paid family and medical leave

HOW TO APPLY

Please send a resume and one-page cover letter stating your interest in the position, why you think you’d be the right fit for Communications Manager at Forward Montana, and what skillsets you’d be excited to grow & develop in this position. You are welcome to submit examples of previous work though it is not required. 

Please send application materials to hiring@forwardmontana.org.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled; however, preference will be given to applications who submit materials by September 28th. Preferred start date for this position is October 25th.