Director of Formation

Background 

PICO California is a multi-racial, multi-faith state network comprising nine local affiliates that organize across 18 counties and represent 500 congregations and nearly 650,000 Californians. Our mission is to catalyze faith-based and spiritually centered people’s power in California to create systemic change for the most vulnerable so that all Californians thrive.  Since 1994, PICO California has been at the forefront of organizing working families to reform our immigration system, improve schools, increase access to health care, end mass incarceration, and improve the quality of life for our families and our communities. 

PICO California believes that those who are most deeply impacted by inequity and structural racism must be at the center of driving the change that is needed. The relational power and moral voice we bring to issues and public life have transformed inequitable systems and structures in cities, counties and our state. We are a leader-centric network where grassroots leaders lead campaigns, build powerful organizing teams, and live at the center of our decision-making.

PICO CA’s School of Faith and Power, overseen by the Director of Formation, is the network’s statewide training program for grassroots leaders, clergy, tribal elders and organizers to hone skills for building long-term relational power for change.  The School of Faith and Power includes immersion experiences, classroom-like learning, culturally relevant approaches, and peer coaching.  Core to its purpose is to create a learning culture that bridges differences of faith, race, culture, age and experience.

The Opportunity

Are you passionate about empowering communities and driving meaningful change? PICO California is seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to fill the role of Director of Formation. As a key leader in our organization, you’ll be at the forefront of developing and implementing the Formation System, equipping our constituency with the knowledge and skills to build impactful power organizations.

The PICO CA Network’s Memorandum of Unity states:

• We intend to build the requisite power to shape California’s future for our families and communities. 
• Our unique contribution to the justice ecosystem equips people of faith and spirituality to contest for narrative power, legislative power, and electoral power.
• We will build federations that bridge differences so that all can live their full and best lives;
• We will develop a formation system that will equip 25,000 leaders/clergy-tribal elders/staff connected to 200,000 Californians in congregations and communities across the state with the knowledge, skills and practices necessary to win structural change for a more abundant collective future.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Shaping the strategy, budget, and staffing for a successful formation system.
• Organizing the design of the innovative School of Faith and Power, offering cutting-edge training opportunities.
• Overseeing a team of dedicated coaches fostering learning leaders’ development across the state.
• Establishing a data-informed School of Faith and Power program focusing on measurable impact.
• Collaborating with the Campaign/Organizing team to contextualize training aligned with our Theories of Change.
• Managing the development of Learning Leaders (i.e., those responsible for nurturing and developing organizers), making a lasting impact across the state.

Our ideal candidate:

• Over 8 years of experience, ideally 3-4 years in a similar role or function.
• Proven success training and developing organizers, clergy, tribal elders, and community leaders.
• A visionary who can create a dynamic, multi-faceted learning system.
• Strong team orientation and program design experience, with a preference for adult learning knowledge.
• Effective management skills, both formal and informal.

Why Join Us:

• Be a driving force in shaping PICO California’s organizational landscape.
• Contribute to the broader mission of creating positive change in communities.
• Work collaboratively with our Organizing Team, communicating directly with our leadership.
• Engage with a diverse and vibrant network, forming reciprocal learning relationships internationally.

Compensation and Benefits 

PICO California is committed to diversity in our staff. We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including the flexibility of a hybrid role, 100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental for staff members and dependents, and a robust 401k plan. Generous paid time off, including holidays, to complement our supportive and collaborative culture. Salary Range-$130,000-$145,000. 

Equal Opportunity Employer

We provide equal employment opportunities to all staff and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws.