New Settlement Apartments, home of the Parent Action Committee, is a non-profit, mixed-income housing and community service organization with a 25-year track record of active commitment to neighborhood revitalization, community building and organizing, and positive youth development. New Settlement currently provides year- round educational, cultural and recreational programs and social services to more than 9,500 youth and adults who live in the surrounding area.

The New Settlement Parent Action Committee (PAC) is an award-winning organization of concerned parents and community members fighting for educational justice for young people and families in the South Bronx and Citywide. Founded in 1996 by parents at a struggling elementary school, PAC is one of the City’s oldest and most respected parent organizing groups. We have fought and won campaigns for teacher leadership and mentoring, school facility improvement, and reductions in school-based arrests, summonses and suspensions. PAC’s diverse membership, including Latin American and Caribbean immigrants, African-American families, and progressive educators, are united by a deep belief that every child deserves an excellent education in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment, and that the best way to guarantee this right is to improve the quality of neighborhood schools. Our history has been documented in the film Parent Power and Michael Fabricant’s Organizing for Educational Justice: The Campaign for Public School Reform in the South Bronx.

Currently, PAC organizes to end the school-to-prison pipeline in Bronx schools, to improve the quality of neighborhood schools by increasing teacher training and support, to implement Community School programming, and to pilot research-based parent engagement strategies that are proven to rebuild relationships between schools and communities. PAC is a founding member of the Coalition for Educational Justice and an active member of the Dignity in Schools Campaign-New York. In addition to our campaign work, we build parent leadership through workshops, bimonthly membership meetings, and regular leadership trainings. PAC’s work is envisioned and led by parent leaders.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Parent Action Committee seeks a bold, creative and committed community organizer to organize parents to envision and create compelling models of Community School programming at District 9 schools. Guided by the Lead Organizer and in coordination with other organizers and interns, the Community Organizer will work with parents, school staff and community organizations to ensure strong parent engagement at the school level to build and maintain a culture of collaboration through research-based models, and will connect parents to organizing at the City level to establish and sustain the infrastructure, policies and resources necessary for Community School success. Responsibilities will include:

• Outreach and education to community school parents about the Community School model.
• Collaboration with school staff and community organizations to offer school- based leadership training to parents in order to develop strong and committed parent leadership at District 9 Community Schools.
• Partnership with school staff and community organizations to implement research-based models of parent engagement and restorative justice.
• Connect District 9 parents with Community School parents Citywide through the Coalition for Educational Justice.
• Cultivate relationships with elected officials, Department of Education staff, and District Leadership to ensure the success of the community school model in District 9.

Funding for this position is guaranteed for one year, with potential for renewal.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION & SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Minimum two years’ experience organizing grassroots groups and working with families of color; openness to other communities and cultures; strong group facilitation skills; good writing and public speaking skills; proven track record in community outreach, research and campaign development. Passion for social justice, confidence and a willingness to persevere are essential qualities. General knowledge of New York City public school system a plus. English/Spanish bilingual skills strongly preferred. Work schedule includes some evenings and weekends.

SALARY AND BENEFITS OFFERED:

• $40,000 per year. Competitive benefits package available.

How to apply

Send cover letter, résumé and list of three professional references to pac@newsettlement.org. Include Subject Line: PAC Community School Organizer Search.

No phone calls please.

EEO/AA.