The Organization:

Missouri Rural Crisis Center (MRCC) is a statewide, non-profit farm and rural organization founded in 1985 to empower farmers and rural people. This goal is achieved through grassroots organizing, advocacy campaigns, collaboration and coalition building, grassroots fundraising and on-the-ground programs that meet the immediate needs of farmers and rural families. We believe that everyday people, working together, can be a powerful force for justice, and that organizing is the most effective means for engaging people to bring about big changes to improve their lives.

The Mission

The Mission of MRCC is to preserve family farms, promote stewardship of the land and environmental integrity and strive for economic and social justice by building unity and mutual understanding among diverse groups, both rural and urban

The Position:

We’re looking for someone who’s eager to help execute an ambitious plan to exponentially expand our people-power – and win justice. We’re looking for someone who’s ready to talk with lots and lots of grassroots people, educate them on timely issues, and bring them into our organization. If that sounds like you, apply for this job! The ideal candidate is a goal-driven, people person who hungers for meaningful change in Missouri. They should be willing and able to travel within Missouri and occasionally stay nights away from home. Most of all, they should have a strong desire to move people to action and help MRCC grow. A passion for making rural communities stronger and creative problem solving skills are musts!

As a rural canvasser the main focus will be to door knock (canvass) a list of Missouri residents in a designated area to have 15 minute (or longer) conversations with them about MRCC and the issues we work on. Rural canvassers will work with their direct supervisor and the other organizers on the
team to implement effective talking points to bring people into MRCC work and campaigns and win changes in their everyday lives. Canvassers will be expected to meet quantitative objectives of doors knocked and members recruited. Canvassers will be doing extensive walking during every day on the job.

This is a short term (June-October) contract position, part or full time (20-40 hours/week) starting at $25/hour. The position is based out of Columbia, MO, Southwest MO near Joplin, or St. Francois County, MO, or potentially elsewhere in Missouri. Canvassers will be required to travel throughout the state in their own reliable vehicle with insurance (mileage reimbursed at current IRS rate). 1 day (8 hours) of paid sick leave per month will be granted. Rural organizers will not be expected to work overtime. Travel time when traveling to locations over two hours from home will be compensated at $15/hour. Food per diem will be provided on work days that require overnight travel.

Schedule

• Standard full time 35 hour/week work schedule: Tuesdays-Saturdays 1 pm to 9 pm with a 1 hour unpaid break to end before 4:30 pm. Most days will have some additional travel hours on both ends of the work day, depending on canvass location(s) that week.
• We are willing to hire candidates that prefer/need a 20 or 28 hour/week schedule as long as that schedule fits within the stated schedule above.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate well with everyday people from all walks of life & genuine curiosity about people
• Excellent attention to detail and follow through
• Must have a car or have access to reliable transportation on a daily basis
• Shows up punctual and prepared for work
• Scheduling flexibility
• Commitment to accurate data collection
• Trustworthiness to stay on brand and to collect and turn in membership dues and donations
• Clear, precise, compassionate, nonjudgmental communication and active listening skills
• Prior direct voter contact experience a plus
• Rural background and knowledge of issues facing family farmers and rural communities a plus

Position Responsibilities Include:

• As a rural canvasser the main focus will be to door knock (canvass) a list of Missouri residents in a designated area to have 15 minute conversations with them about MRCC and the issues we work on.
• Learning and implementing MRCC messaging and practices.
• Prioritizing upholding MRCC’s reputation.
• Willingness to go into unknown areas and talk to strangers, by yourself. Conversation and new membership tracking and database management. Accurate, real time data entry in mini-VAN.
• Accurate and reliable daily reporting of hours worked and job metrics
• Fundraising in the form of face-to-face asks for membership ($35)
• Story collection for willing participants, ideally via short video.
• Upholding our commitment to non partisan, non electoral, non lobbying, 501(c)3 standards.
• Positive, encouraging “team player” disposition who will stay accountable to and help motivate their peers. Together, we’re going to do great things!

We are an equal opportunity employer. MRCC celebrates diversity in all forms and aspects of our work. We welcome qualified people of all backgrounds and abilities to apply and will not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, disability, marital status, creed, or other non-job related factors protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

To Apply:
Send a cover letter, resume and two professional references to Olivia Stockman at olivia@morural.org. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis with an ideal start date in mid-late June 2026.