Democracy Coordinator

Democracy Coordinator

Are you passionate about democracy, civic engagement, and creating meaningful opportunities for working people to have their voices heard? Do you enjoy building relationships, bringing people together around a shared purpose, and turning ideas into action? Are you a self-starter who learns quickly and is looking for an opportunity to grow your skills while doing meaningful work?

The Michigan AFL-CIO Labor Foundation is seeking a collaborative, organized, and mission-driven Democracy Coordinator to support our nonpartisan democracy and civic engagement work throughout Michigan.

In this role, you will help advance initiatives involving election protection, voting rights, democracy defense, civic participation, research, coalition engagement, affiliate outreach, public education, and volunteer coordination. You will work with labor organizations, legal and academic partners, voting-rights and civil-rights organizations, community and faith-based organizations, and other stakeholders committed to strengthening civic participation throughout Michigan.

This position may be a great fit for you if you enjoy researching important issues, building partnerships, coordinating people and projects, developing programs and trainings, solving problems, and helping transform broad strategies into meaningful action.

The position is full-time and hybrid, based in Lansing, Michigan , with a combination of in-office, remote, and field-based work consistent with organizational and program needs. Regular travel throughout Michigan and periodic evening and weekend work are part of the role, particularly during elections, trainings, coalition activities, and major events.

If you are committed to nonpartisan civic engagement, workers’ rights, economic and social justice, and strengthening opportunities for people to participate in our democracy, we would love to hear from you.

Position Details

Reports To: Executive Director, Michigan AFL-CIO Labor Foundation
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Type: Full-Time
Supervisory Responsibilities: None
Work Location: Hybrid – Lansing, Michigan
Salary Range: $55,000–$65,000
Union Status: Non-Union

What You’ll Do

Democracy & Civic Engagement

- Support the development and execution of the Foundation’s nonpartisan democracy and civic engagement programs, including voter education, voter registration, election protection, democracy defense, voting rights, civic participation, research, and public education.
- Assist the Executive Director in implementing work plans, timelines, deliverables, and performance measures for democracy initiatives and regularly report on progress, challenges, and emerging opportunities.
- Monitor developments affecting voting rights, election administration, democratic institutions, and civic participation in Michigan and identify opportunities for Foundation engagement.
- Support legally permissible public education, research, coalition activity, and advocacy related to democracy reforms, legislation, ballot initiatives, and other public-policy matters consistent with the Foundation’s 501(c)(3) purposes.
- Ensure assigned democracy activities are conducted on a nonpartisan basis and in accordance with Foundation policies and applicable legal and compliance requirements.

Research, Policy & Program Support

- Conduct legal, policy, and programmatic research on democracy issues, including voting rights, election administration, redistricting, proportional representation and other electoral reforms, and issues affecting working people’s participation in democracy.
- Draft research memoranda, briefing materials, position papers, presentations, training materials, reports, and other written products for the Executive Director and Foundation partners.
- Translate complex legal, policy, academic, and data-driven information into clear, accessible materials for labor leaders, union members, volunteers, coalition partners, and the public.
- Assist in evaluating democracy programs and initiatives by tracking activities, outputs, outcomes, lessons learned, and opportunities for improvement.

Coalition & Partnership Engagement

- Build and maintain productive relationships with voting-rights, civil-rights, legal, academic, community, faith-based, and other organizations engaged in democracy work.
- Participate in coalition meetings, working groups, trainings, and other convenings; communicate relevant developments to the Executive Director; and ensure appropriate follow-through on assigned action items.
- Represent the Michigan AFL-CIO Labor Foundation in coalition spaces and external meetings as assigned by the Executive Director.
- Support coordination among labor and non-labor partners around shared nonpartisan democracy priorities and identify opportunities to expand the Foundation’s partnerships and impact.

Labor & Affiliate Engagement

- Assist the Executive Director in engaging Michigan AFL-CIO affiliated unions, Central Labor Councils, constituency groups, and other labor organizations around the Foundation’s nonpartisan democracy work.
- Develop relationships with affiliate leaders, staff, and members and identify opportunities for participation in election protection, democracy defense, voter education, civic engagement, and related Foundation programs.
- Attend affiliate meetings, labor events, trainings, and other convenings as needed to communicate Foundation programs, recruit participation, and strengthen relationships between the labor movement and democracy partners.

Election Protection & Volunteer Coordination

- Recruit, train, schedule, support, and coordinate volunteers for the Foundation’s Election Protection, Democracy Defense, and other civic engagement programs.
- Develop and maintain volunteer recruitment partnerships with affiliated unions, universities, community organizations, faith-based organizations, legal partners, and other appropriate sources of volunteers.
- Maintain accurate volunteer records, schedules, assignments, communications, training completion, and follow-up information.
- Assist in developing volunteer trainings, written guidance, deployment plans, and systems necessary for effective statewide program execution.
- Support rapid-response coordination during elections or other periods of heightened democracy activity, including communication with volunteers, partners, and Foundation leadership.

Administration, Communications & Cross-Division Coordination

- Coordinate with the Executive Director and appropriate Federation shared-service departments on administrative, financial, operational, technology, communications, purchasing, contracting, and other needs related to assigned programs.
- Work with Federation communications staff, as directed, to support public education, volunteer recruitment, digital content, program materials, and other communications related to Foundation democracy initiatives.
- Maintain appropriate program records, calendars, contact lists, project trackers, meeting notes, research files, and other documentation necessary to support effective program management and reporting.
- Collaborate with Michigan AFL-CIO staff, WDI, Advocates, and other Federation divisions on appropriate initiatives when assigned and consistent with the Labor Foundation’s 501(c)(3) purposes and legal requirements.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director.

What We’re Looking For

- Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, labor studies, communications, community organizing, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience demonstrating the research, analytical, written communication, organizational, and critical-thinking skills necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.
- Entry-level candidates are welcome to apply. Related professional experience is preferred, but candidates with strong transferable skills, initiative, and the ability to learn quickly in a fast-paced environment are encouraged to apply. Training will be provided.
- Strong critical-thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to understand complex information, conduct research, ask thoughtful questions, and apply new knowledge effectively.
- A self-starter who demonstrates initiative, intellectual curiosity, sound judgment, accountability, and ownership of assignments and responsibilities.
- Ability to learn quickly, adapt to new subject matter, and respond constructively to changing circumstances and priorities.
- Strong research, writing, verbal communication, organizational, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to bring together diverse stakeholders around shared goals, build trust, maintain productive relationships, and help move collaborative work from discussion to action.
- Ability to manage multiple projects, workstreams, deadlines, meetings, and priorities simultaneously with strong attention to detail and follow-through.
- Ability to work independently in a hybrid environment while collaborating effectively with colleagues, partners, and volunteers.
- Ability to understand broad goals and strategies and translate them into practical steps and deliverables.
- Willingness and ability to travel regularly within Michigan and work evenings and weekends when required by elections, trainings, events, or program needs.
- Commitment to nonpartisan civic engagement, economic and social justice, workers’ rights, and the mission of the Michigan AFL-CIO Labor Foundation.

Preferred Experience

Experience in one or more of the following areas is helpful, but not required:

- Labor, community organizing, civic engagement, advocacy, public policy, voting rights, election protection, or related work.
- Researching complex topics and preparing reports, presentations, memoranda, briefing materials, training materials, or other written products.
- Building relationships with community, labor, legal, academic, faith-based, or other stakeholder organizations.
- Recruiting, training, coordinating, or supporting volunteers.
- Working collaboratively on projects involving multiple partners or stakeholders.
- Familiarity with Michigan’s civic, governmental, electoral, or labor landscape.

Compensation & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $55,000–$65,000 , commensurate with experience and qualifications.

This position is part of the Michigan AFL-CIO Labor Foundation, a 501(c)(3) division of the Michigan AFL-CIO Federation.

The Michigan AFL-CIO Federation offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support the health, financial security, and overall well-being of its employees. Eligible employees receive comprehensive healthcare benefits and employer-supported retirement benefits, including a 401(k) plan with employer contributions , in addition to other benefits available to eligible non-union employees of the Federation.

All benefits are subject to applicable plan terms, eligibility requirements, and organizational policies.

About the Michigan AFL-CIO Federation

The Michigan AFL-CIO is a statewide labor federation of affiliated unions representing working people across Michigan. The Federation and its divisions work to advance economic justice in the workplace and social justice in Michigan communities.

The Michigan AFL-CIO Labor Foundation – 501(c)(3) works to combat economic and social injustice by connecting working people with resources within Michigan’s charitable, educational, and legal systems.

The Labor Foundation is part of a broader family of Michigan AFL-CIO organizations working to support working people and communities throughout Michigan.

Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (JEDI)

The Michigan AFL-CIO and its Federation Divisions are committed to advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion throughout our workplace and the communities we serve. We recognize that workforce development, labor advocacy, and economic opportunity are strengthened when diverse perspectives are welcomed and valued.

We strive to:

- Address barriers that have historically limited access to employment, training, advancement, and economic opportunity.
- Provide fair access to opportunities, resources, and support while recognizing that employees and communities may have differing needs.
- Promote a workplace that reflects the diversity of Michigan’s workforce and communities.
- Foster an environment where every employee feels respected, valued, heard, and empowered to contribute.

Our organization is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks to build diversity among our officers, staff, and members. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Interested? We Would Love to Hear From You.

Qualified internal and external candidates are encouraged to apply.