APPLY HERE: citizenaction-il.org/jobs
Job Title: Community Canvasser
Location: Multiple locations - Springfield, Peoria, Rockford, Quad Cities, Bloomington-Normal
Reports to: Organizing Manager
Compensation: $20 per hour
About Citizen Action/Illinois
Citizen Action/Illinois is the state’s largest public interest organization, dedicated to advancing social and economic justice. Through grassroots organizing, advocacy, and coalition-building, we work to promote policies that protect working families, expand healthcare access, and safeguard essential public services. We mobilize communities to take action on critical issues, ensuring that every voice is heard in the fight for justice and equity.
Why Work for Citizen Action/Illinois?
At Citizen Action/Illinois, we believe in the power of people to create change. By joining our team, you will be part of a dynamic organization committed to holding lawmakers accountable and ensuring that communities across Illinois have access to the resources they need. You will gain valuable organizing experience, develop leadership skills, and play a direct role in shaping public policy that impacts millions of lives. If you are passionate about grassroots activism and progressive change, this is the opportunity for you.
Position Summary
Republican lawmakers slashed funding for Medicaid, education, SNAP, Pell Grants, and other essential programs—all to fund tax breaks for the wealthy. These cuts will devastate working families, seniors, and students across Illinois, especially in downstate communities. To fight back, we are launching a paid organizing program to engage voters directly, educate them on the stakes, and mobilize grassroots forces for a proactive healthcare agenda.
As a Community Canvasser, you will play a critical role in helping us build local support for our efforts to protect vital programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Your main responsibilities will include gathering petition signatures, engaging with community members to share their personal stories about the importance of these vital programs, and encouraging others to get involved in our advocacy work. You will work directly with the Organizing Manager to meet targets for engagement and ensure our message reaches as many people as possible.
Key Responsibilities
Petition and Story Gathering:
- Collect petition signatures and personal stories in various community spaces including neighborhoods, local events, health centers, and high-traffic locations.
- Ensure that each signature has complete contact information (name, email, phone, address) for future outreach.
- Engage with a broad, diverse range of community members to inform them about our petition and story collection campaign and why their involvement matters.
- Build relationships with local individuals and groups to help them understand the impact of Medicaid/SNAP cuts and encourage their support.
- Use relational organizing tactics to get people to bring in family and friends to sign the petition or share their own stories on how the cuts have affected them.
Event Participation:
- Attend community events and organize outreach tables to collect signatures and stories in high-traffic areas.
- Represent the organization professionally and with enthusiasm, educating the public about our work and how they can support our cause.
Tracking & Reporting:
- Track your petition and story collection progress, and provide weekly updates to the Organizing Manager on your efforts.
- Ensure all signatures and stories are documented properly and meet our standards for follow-up.
Collaborate with the Organizing Team:
- Work alongside other community canvassers and organizers to coordinate outreach efforts and maximize impact.
- Participate in regular team meetings, and trainings, providing feedback on how we can improve our outreach and engagement strategy.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Commitment to Progressive Values: A passion for social justice, community empowerment, and progressive policy change.
- Experience in Outreach or Mobilization: Previous experience in community organizing, petition gathering, or volunteer recruitment is preferred, but not required.
- Strong Communication Skills: Ability to have meaningful one-on-one conversations with community members and to share compelling messages in a respectful and persuasive way.
- Goal-Oriented: Ability to work independently, stay on track, and meet targets for petition signatures and story collection.
- Comfort with Technology: Basic familiarity with smartphones/tablets to collect and upload stories, track data, and communicate with team members.
- Flexible and Reliable: Ability to work flexible hours, including weekends, and maintain reliability in meeting your goals and responsibilities.
- Team Player: Strong collaborator with the ability to work with others to achieve a common goal, while also being self-driven to manage your individual work.
Preferred Qualifications (Not Required)
- Experience working with diverse communities, especially low-income or underserved populations.
- Bilingual (Spanish-speaking) preferred but not required.
Compensation
- This is a part-time position with $20/hr pay.
Reach out if you have any questions: [email protected].
Pay: $20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- On-the-job training
- Opportunities for advancement
People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply
Application Question(s):
- Why are you interested in this role?
- Please describe your experience in community organizing, outreach, or petition gathering, particularly working with diverse communities, low-income communities, or underserved populations.
- This role requires flexible hours, including weekends. What is your general weekly availability?
Work Location: In person
