The Deputy Director for Policy and Organizing is responsible for overseeing the campaign, community organizing and policy advocacy work of the Riders Alliance. The Deputy works closely with the Executive Director and the organizing team to set strategic goals and actively manages a talented staff to build power, engage our members, advocate effectively with elected officials and in the news media and win better, more affordable transit service for millions of New Yorkers.

The Deputy Director for Policy and Organizing will:

• Lead a team of staff to set strategic goals, win vital policy campaigns and build a powerful organization of transit riders;
• Supervise organizers day-to-day, overseeing their work on multiple concurrent campaigns;
• Manage relationships with elected officials, agency staff, fellow advocates and community organizations;
• Strategize and execute press plans, including events, releases and other forms of communication, that help strengthen the Riders Alliance and our campaigns for better transit;
• Oversee the organizers running our grassroots leadership program and guarantee that we successfully train and organize community leaders to speak up for better public transit;
• Hire, train and supervise new organizers as resources permit, and manage ongoing professional development of staff;
• Supervise the Canvass Manager and guarantee that our canvassing program is best serving our campaigns and our organizing needs;
• Report regularly to the Executive Director and on occasion to the Board on the progress and status of various campaigns.

The ideal candidate will have:

• 7-10 years of experience in community politics and organizing;
• Nuanced understanding of all aspects of community organizing, including managing campaigns, developing leadership and recruiting and retaining members;
• Demonstrated ability to supervise issue campaigns at all levels: as far-reaching as protecting transit funding in the state budget and as local as winning repairs at a specific subway station;
• A record of executing successful campaigns in diverse settings, including in low-income communities and communities of color.

Additional notes:

• The Deputy Director will be part of a small team determining the future of this dynamic and rapidly growing organization.  Candidates must be strong leaders, creative thinkers and enthusiastic team players.
• The Deputy Director will be supervising staff who are themselves experienced in organizing and managing issue campaigns.  Candidates must be able to support and manage staff who are independent and already successful in their work.

Job features:

• Full-time position.  The position will require some evening and weekend engagements.
• Salary commensurate with experience.
• Full benefits: excellent health, dental, 401(k) match, paid time off.

How to apply:

• Send resume and cover letter to Riders Alliance Executive Director John Raskin at john@ridersny.org.
• Please do NOT include a salary history. Please do include a range of desired salary.
• Applications are considered on a rolling basis; early applications are encouraged.

The Riders Alliance is an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply for the position.

 

COMMUNITY ORGANIZER

The Community Organizer is in charge of engaging transit riders in the fight for better public transit, and for recruiting and supporting transit riders to become activists and leaders who can help improve transit for millions New Yorkers. The Community Organizer reports to the Campaign Manager and is responsible for:

• Recruiting transit riders to become activists through public events and meetings, one-on-one conversations and follow-up;
• Working with community members and leaders to determine goals and strategy, then following through to execute effectively on plans;
• Building membership and grass-roots community leadership for the organization;
• Training grassroots activists to be effective, knowledgeable advocates for their own needs;
• Working with media outlets and reporters in order to earn coverage of campaign events;
• Building and maintaining relationships with elected officials, city and state agency staff, and other constituencies to win improvements in service; and
• Supervising interns and volunteers as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Strong understanding of community organizing, including managing campaigns, developing leadership, and recruiting members.
• Excellent people skills: ability to quickly build relationships, to listen to and persuade people, and to engage people effectively around a common goal.
• Ability to lead locally-relevant issue-based campaigns in low-income communities, communities of color, immigrant communities, and middle-class communities.
• Strong communication skills, including public speaking and writing.
• One year of experience in a community organizing or a political/governmental role, or equivalent educational experience.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• Self-motivated individual able to work independently under strategic supervision from the Deputy Director and Campaign Manager.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to fluently speak language(s) other than English.
• Familiarity with NYC communities and community politics.

Job features:

• Full-time position. The position will require some evening meetings.
• Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.
• Full benefits: excellent health, dental, 401(k) match, paid time off.

How to apply:

• Send resume and cover letter detailing your experience in local politics and community campaigns to Campaign Manager Rebecca Bailin at rebecca@ridersny.org.
• Applications are considered on a rolling basis; early applications are encouraged.

The Riders Alliance is an equal opportunity employer, and we strongly encourage candidates from diverse backgrounds to apply for the position.