Program Description: The Goddard Riverside Law Project provides free legal services and organizing support to low-income individuals, families, and groups of tenants in the west side of Manhattan. Our mission is to empower tenants and preserve affordable housing through advocacy, legal representation, relationship building, and grassroots education. We aim to protect tenants’ rights and hold bad actors accountable while working towards establishing pro-tenant laws and sound housing policy through city and statewide coalition work. To these ends, we integrate tenant voices and collaborate with the community, particularly SRO tenants and marginalized populations.
Role, Responsibilities, and Essential Duties
Community Organizing
- Organize tenants at a building-wide and neighborhood-wide level to address housing-related issues, including conflicts with landlords, harassment and discrimination;
- Educate community residents on tenants’ rights, fair housing, gentrification and anti-displacement strategies;
- Conduct outreach events in the community, including workshops and trainings;
- Assist tenants in forming tenant associations and developing organizing strategies;
- Mobilize tenants for demonstrations, rallies and forums;
- Develop and support community leaders through regular tenant committee meetings
Advocacy & Case Management
- Assist tenants with housing-related issues and concerns;
- Advocate on behalf of tenants with landlords, government agencies and other entities;
- Help tenants with complaints and applications to government agencies;
- Assist unrepresented tenants with filing court cases and accessing resources;
- Support legal staff in court cases and assist in the legal representation of tenants;
- Depending on language ability, provide translation assistance
Campaigns & Coalitions
- Represent the tenant community and take leadership roles in citywide campaigns and coalitions to advance and reform policies consistent with our mission, including preservation and production of affordable housing and safe living conditions;
- Advocate for stronger legislation and policies to empower and protect tenants;
- Develop and maintain relationships with community leaders and elected officials
Administrative Responsibilities
- Maintain notes on individual cases, buildings and campaigns and reporting on organizing efforts and results
Qualifications/Educational Requirements
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice work
- College degree in related area; Master’s degree in Social Work preferred, but not required
- Fluency in spoken and written Spanish strongly preferred
- Familiarity with housing issues and community organizing experience preferred
- Ability to manage workload comprising individual cases, building-wide organizing, and participation in campaigns/coalitions.
- Strong writing and research skills
Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should be:
- Comfortable operating Microsoft Office programs, especially Outlook, Word and Excel
Physical Requirements
- Organizers are expected to visit tenants in their homes, conduct outreach in buildings, and attend events outside the office
Work Environment
- Most work will be conducted at office site; in addition, work may be required at buildings, other offices, and outdoors
Details at a glance
- On-site Location
- Full Time Schedule
- 4-Year Degree Required
Benefits
Excellent Benefits!
Level of Language Proficiency
- Fluency in spoken and written Spanish strongly preferred
How To Apply
Location
West 109th Street, New York, NY 10025
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