New Settlement Apartments, home of the Parent Action Committee, is a non-profit, mixed-income housing and community service organization with a 26-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 visionary and committed organizer to direct our growing education organizing work. The Director of Education Organizing will:

• Support the development of winnable parent-led organizing campaigns through the supervision of a team of three full-time organizers, including a Lead Organizer responsible for base building, Know-Your-Rights workshops and clinics.

• Oversee organizational and staff development and convene weekly staff meetings.

• Coordinate parent-led Steering Committee and lead facilitation of bi-annual planning and evaluation retreats.

• Design and implement leadership development trainings for parent members and leaders.

• Maintain and expand PAC’s funding through prospecting, grant-writing and relationship-building with funders.

• Provide leadership in collaborating with other New Settlement departments on joint projects and organizational development.

The Director of Educational Organizing will also lead our sophisticated, innovative District 9 campaign to improve the quality of education in our local schools, including facilitating a campaign development process for a new campaign on teacher quality in struggling school districts, supporting the expansion of our parent-led trainings on parent engagement for school staff, and coordinating the Parent Education and Empowerment Partners (PEEPs) program in collaboration with our local elementary schools.

EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION & SKILLS REQUIRED:

Minimum five years of experience organizing grassroots groups and working with families of color; openness to other communities and cultures; strong group facilitation skills; strong writing and public speaking skills; proven track record in community outreach, research and campaign development. Strong applicants will have supervisory experience, in addition to proven organizational skills and an ability to flourish in a fast-paced, action-oriented environment. 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 required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS OFFERED: Competitive salary commensurate with experience. Comprehensive benefits package, including 401(k).

HOW TO APPLY:  

Send cover letter and résumé to: pac@newsettlement.org. Subject: Director of Educational Organizing Search

No phone calls please.

EEO/AA.

START DATE: ASAP