Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Community Organizer at Faith in New York

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Campaign For Citizenship (C4C): Community Organizer
All applicants must apply online. 

Faith in New York is seeking a highly talented and motivated Campaign For Citizenship (C4C) Community Organizer with a passion for racial and economic justice, and an appetite for deep and lasting transformation in New York City. Faith in New York is a growing interfaith, multicultural federation of over 70 congregations representing 80,000 families in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. Faith in New York’s mission is to develop grassroots leaders and equip congregations to move significant public policy change that supports our leaders’ vision of a more just New York with excellent public schools, violence-free neighborhoods, access to good jobs, adequate and affordable health care, decent housing for all, and a place where people of all backgrounds can fully participate in economic and civic life. Faith in New York operates in low-income, working class communities that are 70% immigrant and over 85% people of color. Faith in New York is working to make large-scale, faith-based organizing a pillar of the broader social change infrastructure, as evidenced by issue campaign results, large numbers of clergy and lay leaders who are improving economic opportunities for working families, and the growth of our strategic partnerships.

In its brief history, Faith in New York has quickly established itself as an emerging force for positive change in diverse communities across the region, training hundreds of grassroots leaders, engaging clergy leaders with a vision rooted in their various faith traditions, and forging partnerships with a growing number of strategic allies to address issues including equitable rebuilding post-Hurricane Sandy, affordable housing development for middle and low-income families, good jobs and workforce development programs, ending mass incarceration, immigrant rights, and environmental stewardship.

Faith in New York believes that those directly impacted by systemic injustice must be partners in developing solutions and employs the Congregations-Based Community Organizing Model and is a proud affiliate of the PICO National Network. People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO) is the largest and fastest growing community organizing effort in the country.  At PICO we are lifting a new vision for America that is rooted in our shared moral values and democratic traditions.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZER POSITION

Community organizers train individual grassroots leaders and Local Organizing Committees to identify priority community concerns, research potential solutions and secure commitments from policy makers to implement these solutions to improve the community. An organizer has responsibility for teaching community organizing skills to community leaders within congregations and moving organizing teams through local and citywide actions.  Faith in New York has a strong learning culture and we place a high priority on personal learning and relationship building.  Faith in New York is lifting up a faith-filled vision that unites people across religion, race, class, ethnicity, age, and language; to this end, we are looking for applicants who have significant experience working within Latino and/or African-American communities, preferably (but not necessarily) in the faith context.

The person hired for this position will help build momentum for our Campaign for Citizenship to win national, state, and local policy victories that directly benefit immigrant families, in collaboration with strategic allies. The organizer’s work will towards developing and strengthening Black/Brown Unity within our work by working with our Live Free campaign, which is aimed at dismantling the cradle to prison pipeline and offering low-income people of color in New York City access to economic opportunities and reduce racial and economic inequality. We are looking for candidates that have the right combination of skills, emotional intelligence and a heart for improving the quality of life and broadening opportunities for all New Yorkers.

SKILLS

  • Ability and experience working with diverse faith communities, especially clergy
  • Solid understanding of one’s own faith journey and a strong understanding of power
  • Strong relational skills and ability to connect, engage, and inspire community members across religion, race, gender, age, language, class and experiences
  • Capacity to think strategically and analytically about social, economic, cultural, and political issues affecting a community
  • Desire to learn and openness to challenge
  • Ability to work as part of a strong staff team as well as independently
  • Relevant previous organizing experience (Community, Labor, Voter) strongly desired
  • Organize successfully in religious congregations
  • Train and develop community leaders to take action effectively in the public arena
  • Strong and effective communicator
  • Strong interpersonal and relational skills to people on multiple levels
  • Prepared to lead and desires to be in deep partnership with others (community leaders, staff, allies, people with power)
  • Dedication to expanding the work of the campaign across various racial and ethic groups
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Fluency in Spanish both oral and written is required

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Conduct up to 10 one-on-one meetings each week with existing or potential Faith in New York leaders, clergy, and influential external leaders throughout New York City, especially in Brooklyn and Queens
  • Provide regular organizing training for Faith in New York leaders and community members in the principles and strategies of congregation-based community organizing
  • Support organizing teams in congregations in outreach, research, and strategic planning leading to large community action meetings that impact systemic change
  • Attend weekly professional development sessions
  • Meet on a regular basis with Faith in New York Lead Organizers in Brooklyn and Queens to shadow, plan and evaluate work progress

This position is part-time, between 25-30 hours a week with some evening and weekend work. The pay rate is $20 per hour, depending on experience; benefits include excellent health plan and retirement plan. Opportunity for contract work is available. Candidate must successfully complete a series of one-on-one interviews.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
All applicants must apply online. 

Please include the following two (2) documents:

  • An electronic file of your resume (preferably in PDF format) ready to be uploaded with your application.
  • A cover letter (outlining your qualifications for this position) ready to be uploaded with your application. Please address the Cover Letter to Onleilove Alston, Executive Director.