Community Canvasser

The work of Detroit People’s Platform (detroitpeoplesplatform.org) is guided by a commitment to organizing local residents to be leaders in addressing inequality in Detroit, the nation’s largest majority-Black city. DPP is committed to working across all of the city’s seven council districts and across organizational boundaries in order to achieve change locally, across the Southeast Michigan region, and statewide. Detroit People’s Platform has a track record of working with a variety of coalition partners to win policy changes that benefit Detroiters. DPP organized bus riders to lead successful campaigns to restore critical bus service connecting Detroiters to key jobs and institutions. DPP was also a key player in citywide campaigns for community benefit agreements, leading to Detroit becoming the first city in the nation to establish an ordinance requiring developer to engage in a CBA process.

Detroit People’s Platform are fiscally sponsored by TSNE (tsne.org).

Essential Functions

We are seeking part-time Community Canvassers who will join our organizing team. This position will be responsible for conducting educational outreach and public information activities to inform Detroiters about voting related issues to encourage voter participation. This position will conduct door to door education and phone conversations across the seven (7) city council districts. The Community Canvassers will document contact with residents and will play an important role in supporting the work of developing community organizing tactics and strategies.

Learning from DPP’s staff of organizers with a track record of campaign wins and grassroots organizing, the Community Canvassers will have the following primary responsibilities:

• Use the Voter Activation Network (VAN) to identify canvass targets in selected neighborhoods, enter data on contacts made with residents, and update the data files based on canvass activities;
• Conduct community events centering Detroit specific issues, voter engagement, and voter education;
• Participate in ongoing work development trainings;
• Participate in team planning and development of organizing strategies;
• Meet numeric targets for community outreach as well as door and phone canvassing;

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• Basic computer literacy (typing ability, familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel, etc.).
• Experience in canvassing and/or community organizing with neighborhood residents.
• Commitment to principles of social and racial justice.
• Good communication skills (in-person, by phone, and written).
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Drivers must pass a driving record check. 

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls;
• Reach; traverse; sit (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards;
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be performed in Detroit, Michigan.

Compensation: The starting salary for this position is $20/hour.

Driving Reimbursement: Canvassers utilizing their own vehicle to travel to canvassing sites will be able to submit for mileage reimburserment.

TSNE/DPPstrives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/DPP prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/DPPcelebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/DPP's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.