Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A) seeks a Fair Housing Advocate for its Group Representation Unit of its Preserving Affordable Housing Program. This is a position within the Unit to focusing on educating and engaging communities around the fair housing laws and enforcing their protections for low-income tenants in Brooklyn.
Since 1968, Brooklyn A has provided free legal services for low income residents and organizations of Brooklyn, pursuing a neighborhood based mission of justice, empowerment and community development.
Working closely with the Unit’s staff and under the supervision of its Director, the Advocate will coordinate a comprehensive outreach campaign to educate vulnerable tenants about their rights under the fair housing laws to combat discrimination and neighborhood segregation.
Responsibilities include:
- Designing and executing a curriculum of know-your-rights workshops, community presentations, and educational seminars to residents, community organizations, grassroots coalitions, faith-based organizations, affordable housing advocates, public agencies, and other local stakeholders.
- Engaging community coalitions, advocates, and public officials in dialogue about affirmatively furthering fair housing in communities suffering from massive displacement and in the context of rezonings, land use policies, affordable housing development, and other urban planning measures that can greatly impact neighborhood segregation.
- Publishing and distributing widely a broad array of informational materials that explain fair housing protections, methods of filing complaints, and resources for assistance in pursuing claims of housing discrimination.
- Engaging in communications and media strategies that spread awareness of housing issues or policies affecting low-income neighborhoods in Brooklyn.
- Implementing a dedicated intake system for receiving and accurately tracking allegations of housing discrimination, assisting individuals in filing complaints, and coordinating a referral mechanism for fair housing enforcement.
- Other miscellaneous duties, including grant reporting, data tracking, and participating in community meetings
Qualifications include:
- Demonstrated passion and commitment to civil rights and the public interest
- B.A. or B.S. required; Graduate Degree in any relevant field (including J.D.) a plus
- Experience in community organizing and outreach, advocacy and/or policy work
- Demonstrated abilities to work with diverse community organizations and other relevant stakeholders
- Excellent public speaking and writing skills, with the ability to translate legal concepts into understandable and clear language
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; experience with print and social media outreach a plus
- Highly motivated, team-oriented, efficient, and creative; capable of working independently or closely with the group in a busy environment, managing a diverse and high workload and ability to adapt to quick or changing deadlines
- Organized and attentive to detail. Computer proficient in order to compile reports and records from activities, track data, and perform other relevant intake or administrative responsibilities.
- Ability to work flexible hours (evenings or weekends) as the need arises given the community-based nature of the job
- Spanish language skills a plus
Brooklyn A is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.
To apply, forward a cover letter with your resume to: bkajobs@bka.org and put Fair Housing Advocate in the subject line.
Application deadline July 22, 2016
