Tenants & Neighbors is a grassroots organization that helps tenants build and effectively wield their collective power to preserve at-risk affordable housing and strengthen tenants’ rights in New York. It is comprised of two affiliate organizations: the New York State Tenants & Neighbors Information Service, a 501c3 organization that provides tenants with organizing support, training, technical assistance, and leadership development; and the New York State Tenants & Neighbors Coalition, a 501c4 membership organization that spearheads legislative system change campaigns.

About the Tenant Organizer Position
The New York State Tenants & Neighbors Information Service has been awarded a grant for an Anti-Harassment/Neighborhood and Tenant Protection Initiative to do tenant organizing in East Harlem. The purpose of the grant is: 1) to assist, inform, educate, and engage tenants living in buildings that are at risk of loss of affordability; and 2) to work alongside legal service providers to develop and execute an anti-displacement strategy.

We are now seeking a Tenant Organizer to carry out outreach, education, and organizing work associated with this new grant. The new staff person’s responsibilities will include: 1) conducting research about buildings that may be at risk of loss of affordability; 2) doing outreach to tenants in at-risk buildings; 3) helping tenants organize tenant associations; 4) developing and disseminating educational materials and conducting training workshops; and 5) in certain buildings that are at high risk of loss of affordability, working with tenants to develop and carry out more intensive campaigns to keep the building affordable for the long term.

The Tenant Organizer will be supervised by the Executive Director and work very collaboratively with and receive support and guidance from other staff members. S/he will be a member of DC1707. This is a one-year position that could be extended if additional funding becomes available.

Requirements:
• One-two years of grassroots organizing experience, ideally tenant organizing;
• commitment to a social justice movement;
• Spanish and English fluency;
• strong written and verbal communication skills;
• exceptional time and priority management skills; and
• professional, confident, personable, highly motivated, well organized, and detail oriented.

To apply, please send a resume, thoughtful cover letter, and three professional references to Kgoldstein@tandn.org. People who have lived in regulated or subsidized housing are especially encouraged to apply. Candidates are encouraged to visit our website, www.tandn.org, prior to applying. We are seeking to hire as quickly as possible, so please submit your materials at your earliest convenience

Originally Published: June 30, 2015
New York, New York