Community Defense Organizer – Southeast Wisconsin

Community Defense Organizer – Southeast Wisconsin

About Voces de la Frontera

Voces de la Frontera is a national leader in the movement for immigrant and worker rights and the largest grassroots Latinx membership organization in Wisconsin.

Led by low-wage immigrant workers and students, Voces works to protect and expand civil and workers’ rights through leadership development, community organizing, and collective empowerment.

Voces has chapters in Milwaukee, Racine, Madison, Green Bay/Fox Cities, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Waukesha, Walworth County, Kenosha, and West Bend. Our student arm is Youth Empowered in the Struggle (YES).

Position Overview

The Community Defense Organizer will lead efforts to strengthen and expand Voces de la Frontera’s community defense work in Milwaukee and the Southeastern region of Wisconsin.

This role will focus on:

Scaling and strengthening community defense initiatives

Expanding rapid response systems and volunteer networks

Increasing membership and leadership development

This is frontline movement work requiring initiative, flexibility, and strong organizing skills.

Key Responsibilities

Community Defense Expansion

Support chapters in building and strengthening community defense systems

Recruit, train, and retain volunteers

Develop sustainable processes and rapid response protocols

Training & Education

Facilitate Rapid Response Verifier & Operator trainings

Conduct Know Your Rights workshops

Provide community preparedness education

Direct Action Coordination

Plan and execute pickets, solidarity actions, and rapid response mobilizations

Collaborate with staff, members, and local partners

Mobilize volunteers quickly during enforcement actions

Rapid Response

Monitor immigration enforcement activity

Coordinate support for impacted families

Ensure timely communication with chapters under the leadership of the Statewide Organizing Director

Program Evaluation & Reporting

Evaluate and realign community defense initiatives for effectiveness

Track attendance, membership growth, leadership development, and outcomes

Provide regular reports to the Organizing Director and leadership team

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Experience in community organizing, immigrant rights, or social justice work

Experience working with grassroots committees or volunteer networks

Strong bilingual communication skills (Spanish/English required)

Experience planning and facilitating trainings

Ability to coordinate direct actions and mobilize volunteers

Strong organizational skills and ability to adapt to changing priorities

Deep commitment to immigrant, worker, racial, and social justice

Preferred Skills

Knowledge of immigration enforcement systems and rapid response protocols

Experience working with diverse communities and cultural competency

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and databases

Work Environment & Requirements

Regular travel to VDLF chapters across Wisconsin

Flexible schedule including evenings and weekends

Reliable transportation required

Monthly mileage reports required for reimbursement

Physical & Mental Demands

Regularly required to sit and use hands for computer work

Frequently required to talk and hear

Occasionally required to stand and walk

Must be able to lift up to 10 lbs occasionally

Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified individuals with disabilities

Benefits & Compensation

IComprehensive Benefits Package Includes:

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance

Short-term and long-term disability coverage

401(k) with 3% employer match after 6 months

Mobile phone reimbursement for work-related use

Paid Time Off:

80 hours vacation (in first 2 years)

16 personal hours

64 sick hours

5 bereavement days

Increased vacation accrual with years of service

Mileage reimbursement provided for required travel between schools and events.