Job Title: Southwest Colorado Project Lead (Temporary)
Reports to: Colorado Project Director
Location: Montezuma County, CO
Position Overview
Open Answer is an integrity-driven 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization committed to community outreach, connection, and empowerment. We achieve this by connecting with people face-to-face at their homes on behalf of candidates, issues, and advocacy organizations that share our values. Open Answer Mobilize, our 501(c)(3), non-political and non-partisan arm, mobilizes community members around civic engagement, conducts qualitative and quantitative survey collection to inform policy recommendations, and connects eligible residents to direct services.
The SW Project Lead plays a critical role as the eyes and ears on the ground for the Project Director and Managing Director to ensure project goals are met, and in a similar vein convey those goals to the mobilizers (aka “canvassers”). The Project Lead should be a bridge between our leadership team, and our mobilizing staff, ensuring training, materials, and daily operations lead to overall success of our SW Colorado field program.
Project Specifics
Open Answer will be canvassing in Montezuma County to educate residents about and generate support for solar energy in the county. We will be going door-to-door, as well as tabling to talk to residents and collect visible signs of support from the community.
Core Responsibilities
Community Outreach
Engage members of Montezuma County through petition signature collection and event turn out through doors knocking, tabling, and other in-person community outreach strategies.
Canvasser and Field Performance
Ensure all new and existing canvassers receive the training they need in order to be successful on campaigns.
Collaborate with leadership team members to establish performance standards for each project, and when those standards are not met, work with the Project Director and Managing Director to implement Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) with canvassers.
Lead regular debriefs with the team in order to confirm messaging and ensure targeting is fruitful and pivot and adapt when necessary.
Provide regular coaching and feedback to canvassers
Document necessary write-ups and warnings for field and office performance.
Communicate with Project Director and Managing Director on daily progress
Campaign support
Create weekly schedule to meet project goals
Work closely with Project Director to track metrics to ensure goals are being met
Assist in creating lists, cutting turf, and assigning turf in the Voter Activation Network (VAN).
Create and implement team structures and schedules to ensure daily output meets overall project needs.
Serve as the canvassing team’s first point of contact for daily field needs.
Qualifications
Proven experience as a canvassing or campaign lead.
At least 1 election cycle of canvassing experience on behalf of an issue or a candidate.
Strong leadership skills.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work with a diverse group of canvassers.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
A deep understanding of target audiences and the political landscape of Colorado’s Western Slope is preferred.
A strong appreciation for using quantitative and qualitative data to inform our work.
A goal-oriented, solution-focused approach to problem solving.
Proficiency in Google Workspace with experience using spreadsheets for data management and analysis.
Proficiency in utilizing the Voter Action Network (VAN).
Ability to work under pressure and in a fast-paced environment
Value-Aligned Expectations:
Accountability & Integrity: Takes ownership for outcomes; acts in alignment with our mission and ethics.
Innovation: Proactively generates ideas and solutions beyond the obvious.
Continuous Growth: Seeks feedback and learning opportunities to enhance performance.
Team Positivity: Contributes to a healthy, fun, and respectful work environment.
Purpose-Driven: Keeps our broader mission and social impact at the forefront.
Job Details
The starting hourly rate for this position is $30/hour.
Full-time, temporary position located in Montezuma County.
Target start date: Immediately.
Open Answer Non-Discrimination Policy
Open Answer is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any term, condition or privilege of employment. Open Answer does not discriminate in employment or advancement opportunities on the basis of race, sex, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation (including gender identity and gender expression), disability or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.
We believe that traditional hiring practices have historically and systemically marginalized entire groups of people — including people of color, people from different socio-economic backgrounds, women, and people in the LGBTQIA+ community, to name a few. We believe that we are better as an organization when we work to deconstruct barriers and build a team that has authentic representation from diverse communities, backgrounds and beliefs. Hence, we strongly encourage qualified candidates from those mentioned, as well as other marginalized communities, to apply for roles within our team.
To Apply:
Please submit a resume and answers to the following questions, to our info email with the subject line: Southwest Colorado Project Lead
Questions to Answer:
Tell us about your experience working in the SW Colorado community (canvassing, organizing etc.) If you don’t have experience in this region, share your experience doing community outreach in general.
What is your experience with building and managing a team?
How would you collaborate from afar with the Project Director and Managing Director to ensure project success?