legislative organizers đź“Ł
Next Up Action Fund is seeking two to three committed, part-time Legislative Organizers who will help co-lead and champion our legislative priorities throughout the 2026 Oregon Legislative Session, in collaboration with our current advocacy team. This position is designed for students currently enrolled in college with the goal of recruiting college students to engage with Next Up Action Fund’s legislative efforts and broader civic engagement efforts. This position reports directly to the Advocacy Director and works closely with the Advocacy Manager.
We’re looking for people who are passionate about creating change through statewide policy to advance Next Up Action Fund’s priorities, as well as people who are passionate about educating Oregonians on how to get involved civically. No previous legislative or advocacy experience is required; we will offer extensive onboarding and training. Our ideal candidate has a deep interest in learning about: how the Oregon Legislature works, how to effectively advocate and lobby on the issues that affect young Oregonians, and how to engage young people on the issues they care about. Additionally, our ideal candidate takes initiative, is collaborative, creative, and detail-oriented, enjoys building relationships, and is committed to supporting the leadership of Black, Indigenous, and youth of color.
Details
Position Title: Legislative Organizer
Compensation:​ $22/hour and accrued sick leave.
Level: Entry level, internship.
Duration: 10 weeks from January 5, 2026 to March 12, 2026. Part-time, temporary, hourly position with evening and weekend work required. About 10-15 hours a week.
Schedule: During January, there will be three virtual group meetings weekly Tuesday - Thursday from 11 am to 12 pm. Beginning February, there will be two virtual group meetings weekly on Tuesday and Thursday from 11 am to 12 pm, and Wednesdays will be an in-person day at the Salem Capitol from 10 am to 5pm. Additional meetings and events will be scheduled as needed.
Location:​ Must live in Oregon. Hybrid (both virtual and in-person work required), our office is located in SE Portland, and weekly travel to the Oregon State Capitol will be required (including upon short notice). Must have access to reliable transportation.
Covid- 19: We are requiring all team members to be vaccinated for COVID-19 unless a team member has requested and received a health/disability or religious accommodation. For in-person meetings - applicants must follow all in person covid protocols outlined by the organization (such as masking, and regular covid-19 testing).
Timeline
Applications Open - Monday, October 13th at 11:59 pm.
Applications Close - Thursday, November 13th at 11:59 pm.
Decisions Announced - Monday, December 8th, 2025.
Program Begins - January 5th, 2026.
Position End Date - March 12th, 2026.
Responsibilities
Legislative & Advocacy Efforts - 75%
Coordinate on behalf of Next Up Action Fund to schedule and meet with lawmakers via email, phone call, and virtual meeting platforms to lobby them on our legislative priorities
Cultivate strong relationships with lawmakers and their legislative staff via online and in person meetings and other lobbying efforts
Become a strong spokesperson on messaging for our Youth Power Agenda (advancing social, racial, and youth justice) and be able to communicate this with diverse audiences
Coordinate planning for legislative events, such as testimony writing workshops, letters-to-the-editor writing workshops, and our annual Youth Lobby Day
Monitor and report on legislative action or developments, with close attention to elections and voter access, Secretary of State issues, and racial, gender, and economic justice priorities
Provide written and verbal testimony for the bills Next Up Action Fund is leading or supporting
Attend coalition meetings for bills we are leading or supporting
Strategize ways to increase youth and community participation in the legislative process and help execute these ideas
Support community members in learning about how to provide written and verbal testimony as well as how to make their voices heard through other communications (letters to the editor, etc.)
Attend Next Up Action Fund’s monthly membership meetings
Brainstorm and research potential policy issues that Next Up Action Fund can engage in during future legislative sessions
Log weekly metrics related to lobbying accurately and in a timely manner
Campus Organizing & Civic Engagement - 25%
Recruit community members and college students to participate in our legislative efforts and broader civic engagement efforts by tabling on college campuses and other community events
Gathering pledge-to-engage cards from college students and other community members and follow up with texts, calls, and 1:1 meetings
Help Next Up Action Fund grow our base of volunteers and supporters
Log weekly metrics related to civic engagement accurately and in a timely manner
Key Qualifications & Experience
Commitment to Next Up Action Fund’s mission, with an appreciation for the role of grassroots community organizing in social change and movement building.
Has a close relationship to an Oregon based college or university to directly engage and mobilize college students to take part in our legislative efforts and civic engagement efforts.
Excited to facilitate building power with young people; a passion for amplifying youth voices and commitment to always centering the leadership and needs of Black, Indigenous, and youth of color in organizing work.
Deep commitment to dismantling racism, understanding systemic and institutional racism, and a willingness to learn, teach, and discuss racial and social justice issues.
Excellent communication skills and ability to engage many audiences -- specifically racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse communities.
Clear, precise, compassionate communication: Speaks clearly on behalf of the organization and advocates for/with community members. Communicates well with others, including sharing context and asking questions to understand others’ perspectives.
Attention to detail: Notices and fixes errors that others might overlook. Acknowledges mistakes and turns them into learning opportunities. Has a track record of leaving things better than they found them.
Has the ability to understand the issues that young people are facing today, and takes the initiative to research and explore what the needs, aspirations, and priorities are for young people in Oregon.
Preferred but not required
Working knowledge of Google Suite
Civic engagement experience (planning events, educating community members about how to participate civically, etc.)
Bilingual or multilingual
