Author: meghan

FMT is seeking a full-time Field Manager to lead grassroot campaigns to make direct change locally, develop and manage our regional field efforts, and recruit & retain volunteers and fellows across a number of leadership development opportunities. 

If you have a passion for making change and working on a breadth of civic and political projects that make a difference in Bozeman, then this job is for you! You will be successful in this role if you are committed to hitting goals in a fast-paced environment and have the ability to stay flexible with an eye towards new opportunities. 

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 Field Manager, who is based in Bozeman and reports to the Senior Organizing Manager, is responsible for the following:

• Develop & maintain strategic relationships with volunteers, fellows, local organizations, stakeholders, and coalition partners.
• Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers to support all aspects of Forward Montana’s programming in the Bozeman area.
• Develop year-round opportunities for the greater Bozeman community to engage with FMT, heightening our presence and growing our members in the region.
• Build & implement voter registration and voter mobilization programs to engage young voters (18-35 YO’s) in the greater Bozeman area. This includes organizing candidate forums and other events, hosting engaging virtual phone banks & volunteer opportunities, and talking to voters in your community
• With support of the Senior Organizing Manager and advocacy team, implement a local issue-based campaign that aligns with the vision and needs of young people in Bozeman. This includes giving public testimony, facilitating training opportunities, mobilizing the community around key moments in the campaign, or writing newsletters or opinion pieces. 
• Supervise temporary staff in the community organizing fellowship, and other temporary organizers as needed.

Must-Haves
Here’s what success looks like:

• Relationship-building & volunteer recruitment:
  • You have experience developing and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with a diverse group of individuals.
  • You’re committed to leadership development across all of Forward Montana’s programs and understand the importance of growing our member base.
  • You have experience recruiting, training, and coordinating volunteers. 
• Drive to achieve results across field & mobilization programs:
  • You have a track record of accomplishing ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles (think: thunderstorms during an outdoor event or running out of voter registration forms during a big event).
  • You set a high bar and meet it, because you think three (or 30) steps ahead to anticipate hurdles and come up with pragmatic solutions.
  • You know how to ask for help and act as an advocate for your community’s best interest.
• Creativity & Innovation:
  • You are creative & innovative when developing programs for Bozeman. 
  • 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 Bozeman.
  • 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 field work (voter registration, Get Out The Vote (GOTV), or other voter mobilization efforts) are preferred, but are not requirements. 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:

• Cultivating new relationships and volunteers to participate in your upcoming field efforts through 1:1’s at a local coffee shop
• Working on an issue relevant to your community — testifying at a city council meeting, creating content for a digital organizing campaign, wearing a weird costume outside of a Senator’s office, or supporting an fellow in writing a LTE or Opinion piece for the newspaper
• Developing the agenda for a Progressive Happy Hour & delegating roles out to your regional team & fellows, ensuring your community has a place to gather and talk about what’s coming up for FMT and how they can plug in
• Strategizing with the entire program team about how to tackle an upcoming voter registration goal 

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 Bozeman
  • 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

The salary for this position ranges from $38,000 – $41,000. 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% 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 building youth-power & getting out the vote in Bozeman 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, portfolio’s, or just a more casual tone cover letter are all welcome. 

Please send application materials to hiring@forwardmontana.org. The priority deadline is Monday, August 8th at 12 pm. Preferred candidates will be able to start by September 6th, but we are open to a post-election start date if you are currently working on a campaign.

Because you believe in a Montana that believes in you. 

Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation is seeking 10 high school students to participate in our High School Fellowship this coming fall! We’re seeking candidates who are invested in utilizing democracy to create changes they wish to see, who are self-reliant leaders looking to address issues in their communities, and who love to learn about issues deeply and implement those learnings through practice. 

This fellowship will take place from mid-August through the end of November. Upon successful completion of the fellowship, you’ll receive a $500 stipend, and will walk away with a robust civic education, some nice merch, and skills in event planning and community organizing. The priority application deadline is July 15th at 5PM.

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 and high school students on the front lines of civic engagement statewide, basing our efforts out of Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, and the greater Flathead area.

What You’ll Do

High school fellows report to the Civic Education Organizer, and are responsible for the following:

• There will be an in-person retreat to kick-off the fellowship. This retreat is tentatively scheduled for August 20th-21st.*
• Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in biweekly leadership training sessions throughout the fall (about 7 total). These training sessions will cover topics like how to tell your story of self and how to utilize different styles of organizing. These training sessions are a chance to deepen your knowledge of community organizing, relationship building, and to bond with your fellow fellow. Each session will be about an hour and a half, and the date & time will be determined based on the fellows’ and the facilitators’ availability. Attendance is expected at these training sessions, and if a fellow is unable to attend, arrangements will be made to complete an independent training equivalent to the session.
• Fellows will also engage in leading field efforts in their communities. Fellows will learn how to be confident holding a clipboard, and talking to strangers–all while supporting democracy. Fellows will have the opportunity to plan, coordinate and execute fun events to engage your peers in National Voter Registration Day and other voter-registration opportunities. 
• In addition to registering people to vote, fellows will work alongside Forward Montana’s GOTV (get out the vote) efforts to ensure that those who are registered have the resources they need & a plan to vote in the midterm election. 
• Fellows will also be asked to facilitate one of our Underage Democracy templates in their high school or broader community. These templates are essentially lessons that aim to provide some of the civic education that most people don’t typically receive. These can be presented to a class, to a group of peers, or to the community! 
• Lastly, fellows will produce a final project that ties together all of the things that have been gleaned from the fellowship. This project is meant to be fun and impactful! Typically these projects have been focused on election day activities or getting out the vote, but creativity is always welcomed! 

Logistics

• Aside from an initial retreat, most of the fellowship will take place remotely. However, there will be many opportunities for fellows to execute work within their community.*
• Fellows should be comfortable working remotely while adhering to deadlines and managing time effectively.
• Fellows must be high school students during the Fall of 2022.
• Applications will close on July 15th at 5pm. 
• Anticipated time commitment is no more than 5-7 hours a week.

If you are a high school student in Montana, or you know one who may be interested, please direct any questions to Devin (he/him) at devin@forwardmontana.org

If you’re ready to apply, you can get started HERE.

People of color, LGBTQ2S+ people, women, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.

*All in person events are to be determined based on CDC regulations regarding COVID-19

Program Director, Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation 

Because you believe in a Montana that believes in you. 

Forward Montana (FMT) is seeking a full-time Program Director to strategize, manage, and support and lead a growing statewide program to success across our leadership development, voter registration, voter mobilization, and issue campaigns. 

The ideal candidate is someone who can balance organizational vision, political urgency, and organizational capacity. You’ll excel in this role if you have all-star time management skills and the ability to support a breadth of collaborative projects. 

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, Missoula, Billings, and the greater Flathead area. 

What You’ll Do

The Program Director reports to the Executive Director, sits on the organization’s coordinating team (our version of a senior leadership team), and is responsible for the following:

• Work with the Executive Director and Program Team to create and execute an annual program plan and budget that aligns with the organization’s mission, vision, and goals
• Directly manage, support, and grow Forward Montana’s program team with an eye towards the team’s professional development and overall own professional development and program success.
• Develop and execute collaborative processes for goal-setting.
• Evaluate the success and effectiveness of programs and make adjustments as necessary.
• With the support of the Senior Organizing Manager, lead and support our regional Field Managers in every stage of implementation of programs that accomplish our strategic vision and mission
• Work with the rest of the Program Team to inform advocacy and legislative strategies
• With the support of the Executive Director, steward our political strategy and staff the Forward Montana Political Committee coordinating organizational capacity with board vision and priorities
• Work with the Senior Organizing Manager and Executive Director to develop c3 and c4 field strategies and target audiences, and implement them through creative field and Get Out the Vote tactics. VAN will be your best friend!
• Build strong relationships with state and national partners and represent Forward Montana in relevant coalitions
• Work with the Executive Director to strategize and participate in strengthening organizational visibility through coalitions, speaking engagements, and other external opportunities
• Support the Development Director and Executive Director in securing funding for specific programs including individual donors and institutional funders 
• Empower the statewide Forward Montana program crew to be the most badass they can be! 

Must-Haves | Here’s what we’re looking for in a candidate: 

• Experience in and enthusiasm for political strategy and its connection to civic & electoral power building:
  • 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 political field plans from start to finish. You have experience creating phone banks and cutting turf in VAN and pulling up lists.
  • You can evaluate new opportunities while thinking about Forward Montana’s strategic mission.
  • You have some familiarity with c3 and c4 organizations
• Experience in building strong collaborative relationships:
  • You’re excited to build relationships with a national coalition partner one minute and talk to a local stakeholder the next.
  • 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 manage and empower a diverse team of peers at varying levels of experience to achieve necessary metrics, quantitative, and qualitative outcomes:
  • You have a track record of supporting teams to accomplish ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles.
  • You’re excited about processes and systems within a team – you can run an effective meeting, give 100% to your individual check-ins with the people you manage, and can run an event planning process on a tight timeline.
  • You have experience hiring and/or managing a diverse team of folks and have experience developing systems to ensure they feel heard.
  • You understand how to hold folks accountable to setting and reaching ambitious goals with creativity and flexibility.
• 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 Program Director right now, you would be:

• Facilitating planning conversations for our upcoming regional candidate forums – ensuring your team has the tools they need to execute a badass candidate education event
• Supporting a program team staffer during your 1:1 weekly check-in
• Representing FMT in a national coalition and talking about the impact of our voter registration work on the Montana landscape
• Developing the agenda and purpose for an upcoming planning conversation for our statewide get out the vote (GOTV) campaigns – you’re compiling data from past years, coming up with recommendations, and figuring out how you’ll track goals this year
• Creating relevant documents for an upcoming election to ensure your team has the materials they need to talk to voters – you’re calling election officials, local partners and organizations, diving deep into the Secretary of State website, and becoming an election expert 

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. There are opportunities for a relocation stipend. Preferred location is Bozeman, but we are flexible
  • You must be comfortable working unconventional hours occasionally — including nights and weekends
  • You must have the ability to travel 1-3x/month (a valid driver’s license is required)
  • You’re comfortable conducting field work 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

The salary for this position ranges from $55,000 – $63,000. Forward Montana also offers the following benefits:

• Health 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 Program Director at Forward Montana, and what skillsets you’d be excited to grow & develop in this position. 

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 May 20th so that we can start interviews by May 23rd. Preferred start date for this position is July 25 (or earlier)

Senior Organizing Manager

Forward Montana & Forward Montana Foundation 

Because you believe in a Montana that believes in you. 

Forward Montana Foundation is seeking a full-time Senior Organizing Manager to directly manage & lead a growing statewide field team to success across our leadership development, issue advocacy, voter mobilization, and voter registration campaigns. Additionally, our Senior Organizing Manager is responsible for developing, maintaining, and growing our statewide volunteer development and engagement programs. 

The ideal candidate is someone with direct management experience, a proven track record of supporting diverse teams remotely, and an ability to  independently manage their workload while  supporting the priorities of a busy, ambitious team. You’ll excel in this role if you have a keen eye for strategy and detail, can delegate work effectively and efficiently, are passionate about leadership development, have experience conducting field work, and are committed to building processes to support the effective functioning of a team (TL;DR: you like to run meetings, provide 1:1 support, and can fill gaps like a pro). 

Applicants should be committed to supporting and growing our statewide programs and regional field teams while staying flexible with an eye towards new opportunities. 

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, Missoula, Billings, and the greater Flathead area. 

What You’ll Do

The Senior Organizing Manager reports to the Program Director, sits on the organization’s coordinating team (our version of a senior leadership team!), and is responsible for the following:

• With the support of the Program Director, lead and support our regional Field Managers in every stage of implementation of programs that accomplish our strategic vision and mission 
• Lead our regional field teams through the development of benchmarks, goals, and quarterly execution plans surrounding our statewide voter registration and leadership development programs
• Develop and execute collaborative processes for goal-setting – including the development of metrics and benchmarks for success across all of our statewide programming 
• Support our regional field teams to develop & execute advocacy campaigns around relevant and/or timely issues happening in our local communities
• Support, participate, and manage our regional field teams to success across all of our voter mobilization & get out the vote (GOTV) campaigns
• Facilitate planning processes for major programmatic events and initiatives including, but not limited to, National Voter Registration Day, Student Voter Day, other civic holidays, and The Montana Youth Organizing Summit 
• Responsible for identifying leadership opportunities for staff, interns, and volunteers that support the growth of professional development skills. Additionally, responsible for developing and running relevant trainings for the program team when appropriate
• Responsible for the development and day-to-day management of our statewide volunteer engagement and retention programs
• Responsible for fielding requests and needs of our regional field team and working with the Program Director to meet them
• Empower the statewide FMT program crew to be the most badass they can be! 

Must-Haves | here’s what success looks like: 

• Develop leaders & engage volunteers: You can create and maintain strong processes, goals, and benchmarks for success across all of FMT’s regional volunteer development and recruitment programs. You feel passionate about growing our base of supporters and can manage a statewide team to find creative ways for volunteers to engage with our organization, inside and outside of election years. You’re also passionate about internal leadership development and ensure that the individuals you manage have consistent access to professional development opportunities that align with their passions and areas for growth. 
• Drive to achieve results while supporting a statewide team: You have a track record of supporting teams to accomplish ambitious goals and getting results even when there are obstacles. 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’re excited about processes and systems within a team – you can run an effective meeting, give 100% to your individual check-ins with the people you manage, and can run an event planning process on a tight timeline. You know how to ask for help, have the ability to act as an advocate for the needs of a diverse team and ensure they feel heard, and understand how to hold folks accountable to setting and reaching ambitious goals with creativity and flexibility. 
• 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 regional field team, fellows, volunteers, members, and within 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 with an eye towards continuous 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 Senior Organizing Manager right now, you would be:

• Facilitating planning conversations for our upcoming regional candidate forums – ensuring your team has the tools they need to execute a badass candidate education event
• Supporting a regional Field Manager during your 1:1 weekly check-in and troubleshooting a roadblock with a local issue advocacy campaign 
• Developing the volunteer recruitment and engagement plan for the next quarter to ensure your team has achievable, scaleable goals for growing their volunteer programs and understands how to execute on them 
• Developing the agenda and purpose for an upcoming planning conversation for our statewide voter registration goals – you’re compiling data from past years, coming up with recommendations, and figuring out how you’ll track goals this year
• Strategizing with the entire program team about how to create a relevant campaign targeted at new voters who are moving into Montana from other states 

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. There are opportunities for a relocation stipend 
  • 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 potential to utilize a shared office space with other FMT staff if based in Bozeman, Billings, or Missoula

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

• Health 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 the Senior Organizing Manager at Forward Montana, 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, portfolio’s, or just a more casual tone cover letter are all welcome. 

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 May 20th so that we can start interviews by May 23rd. Preferred start date for this position is July 25 (or earlier).