Organization Description
Faith Roots Reproductive Action, formerly the New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, envisions a world where we recognize, affirm, and honor every person’s power to fiercely defend their bodily autonomy and access to reproductive healthcare including abortion. Faith Roots advocates for bodily autonomy by shifting religious and spiritual narratives and engaging in collaborative partnerships. We demand access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare, including abortion, for all persons. Our work includes providing abortion funding through practical support, community advocacy to protect abortion access, and communications work within the scope of reproductive health, rights, and justice framework. A commitment and understanding of reproductive rights, health, and justice alongside all its intersectional issues is imperative to this work.
Job Description
This position is the key staff person responsible for recruiting, educating, equipping and mobilizing a network of clergy and faith leaders from communities around New Mexico to draw upon the moral power of religious teachings to challenge the use of religion to deny access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion. This is a new position with great potential.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop a cohort of Faith Leaders and congregational lay leaders in New Mexico to support each other as they speak out courageously for access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion.
- Mobilize Faith Leaders in New Mexico to mobilize their congregations to take action; identify Faith Leaders who are ready to move into deeper engagement and empower Faith Leaders to serve as spokespersons in the media, with policymakers, and within their own congregations.
- Actively represent Faith Roots Reproductive Action and participate in local advocacy/policy coalitions, tables and steering committees before, during and after the legislative session.
- Represent Faith Roots Reproductive Action at the NM Legislative Session in collaboration with our policy/advocacy partners to pass key Reproductive Justice legislation. Speak at committee hearings and meet with key legislators.
- Work closely with the Communications Manager to provide theological/ethical language, framing for policy materials such as policy statements, public comments, backgrounders, and more.
- Organize trainings, educational sessions and strategy meetings with faith leaders to further identified goals and strategies of the organization.
- Plan public advocacy events such as meetings, rallies, marches, and vigils.
- Track and input data into constituent relationship management database.
EXPECTATIONS:
- Extensive travel and in-person time is required at both the legislative session and in building relationships with Faith Leaders and Congregations in rural and remote areas of the state.
- Perform duties required of all staff to support smooth internal operations such as submitting timely reports, reimbursement requests, and timesheets.
- Engage in on-going professional development and training.
- Participate in weekly staff meetings and other opportunities to engage with Faith Roots staff and volunteers.
- Can work independently as well as collaboratively.
Qualifications:
- Values aligned with Faith Roots Reproductive Action and National Network of Abortion Funds.
- Two or more years of work experience that you believe have prepared you for this role are required.
- Education: The level of knowledge acquired through the completion of a Master of Divinity degree, Master of Arts in Religion/Theology, or Master of Pastoral Counseling from an accredited School of Theology or Religion.
- Understanding of the theological foundations of the prophetic call to do justice.
- Familiarity and comfort with language, culture, traditions, symbols, rituals, and resources of mainline Christian and Jewish denominations. Comfort with and a desire to know more about spirituality and diverse cultures, traditions, symbols, rituals and resources.
- Deep respect for, curiosity about, and relative comfort with faith leaders and faith institutions
- A broad understanding of national, state, and local policies that pertain to Reproductive health, rights and justice is required.
- Knowledge of and experience with state level policymaking and legislative process, as well as demonstrated experience in and understanding of public policy.
- Capacity to think strategically and analytically about social, economic, cultural, and political issues affecting a community
- Strong organizational skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively, work well under pressure, and adhere to deadlines while balancing multiple projects.
- Languages:
- Fluency in English required
- Fluency in Spanish is desired and compensated.
- Excellent relationship building skills, including the ability to connect with and engage varied internal and external stakeholders. Ideally with experience building and managing strong, positive relationships with stakeholders, including underrepresented and/or diverse communities.
- Experience with Microsoft Office applications, database management, systems development, and reporting, and the ability to grasp new technology quickly.
Qualities:
- Commitment to preserving, improving, and normalizing abortion access.
- Comfortable with supporting access to abortion through all stages of pregnancy and for any reason.
- A willingness to grow in understanding of the Reproductive Justice Framework alongside us and a commitment to apply it to every aspect of your work.
- A working understanding of the abortion access landscape in the surrounding states and the barriers they create.
- Collaborative spirit with an ability to maintain flexibility and effectively manage a responsive environment.
- Firm grasp of own boundaries and limitations; ability to communicate challenges and the type of support you need to thrive.
- Self-motivated, resourceful, creative, and able to work without significant day-to- day supervision.
Time Commitment:
This is a flexible position based in New Mexico, with a 35 hours/week flexible/hybrid work schedule (minimum 21 hours in-person) paid hourly at $37/hour, including some remote work options. Some nontraditional work hours including evenings and weekends, especially when the NM Legislature is in session, and active participation in zoom meetings will be required. Driver’s license and access to a vehicle is required. Willingness and ability to travel extensively around New Mexico, and occasionally travel to Washington, DC other parts of the US. This position reports directly to the Director of Development and Community Engagement. As an organization that has recently experienced tremendous growth, this is a critical role where some responsibilities may shift and evolve over time.
Benefits:
We are recognized as a Platinum-level employer by Family Friendly New Mexico. Benefits include full medical, dental and vision insurance, generous PTO, paid holidays, including two full weeks at the end of December. We are committed to staff growth and professional development support. Eligible for retirement benefits after one full year of service.
