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Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Community Organizer at Faith in New York

For original posting or to apply click here.

Campaign For Citizenship (C4C): Community Organizer
All applicants must apply online. 

Faith in New York is seeking a highly talented and motivated Campaign For Citizenship (C4C) Community Organizer with a passion for racial and economic justice, and an appetite for deep and lasting transformation in New York City. Faith in New York is a growing interfaith, multicultural federation of over 70 congregations representing 80,000 families in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the Bronx. Faith in New York’s mission is to develop grassroots leaders and equip congregations to move significant public policy change that supports our leaders’ vision of a more just New York with excellent public schools, violence-free neighborhoods, access to good jobs, adequate and affordable health care, decent housing for all, and a place where people of all backgrounds can fully participate in economic and civic life. Faith in New York operates in low-income, working class communities that are 70% immigrant and over 85% people of color. Faith in New York is working to make large-scale, faith-based organizing a pillar of the broader social change infrastructure, as evidenced by issue campaign results, large numbers of clergy and lay leaders who are improving economic opportunities for working families, and the growth of our strategic partnerships.

In its brief history, Faith in New York has quickly established itself as an emerging force for positive change in diverse communities across the region, training hundreds of grassroots leaders, engaging clergy leaders with a vision rooted in their various faith traditions, and forging partnerships with a growing number of strategic allies to address issues including equitable rebuilding post-Hurricane Sandy, affordable housing development for middle and low-income families, good jobs and workforce development programs, ending mass incarceration, immigrant rights, and environmental stewardship.

Faith in New York believes that those directly impacted by systemic injustice must be partners in developing solutions and employs the Congregations-Based Community Organizing Model and is a proud affiliate of the PICO National Network. People Improving Communities through Organizing (PICO) is the largest and fastest growing community organizing effort in the country.  At PICO we are lifting a new vision for America that is rooted in our shared moral values and democratic traditions.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZER POSITION

Community organizers train individual grassroots leaders and Local Organizing Committees to identify priority community concerns, research potential solutions and secure commitments from policy makers to implement these solutions to improve the community. An organizer has responsibility for teaching community organizing skills to community leaders within congregations and moving organizing teams through local and citywide actions.  Faith in New York has a strong learning culture and we place a high priority on personal learning and relationship building.  Faith in New York is lifting up a faith-filled vision that unites people across religion, race, class, ethnicity, age, and language; to this end, we are looking for applicants who have significant experience working within Latino and/or African-American communities, preferably (but not necessarily) in the faith context.

The person hired for this position will help build momentum for our Campaign for Citizenship to win national, state, and local policy victories that directly benefit immigrant families, in collaboration with strategic allies. The organizer’s work will towards developing and strengthening Black/Brown Unity within our work by working with our Live Free campaign, which is aimed at dismantling the cradle to prison pipeline and offering low-income people of color in New York City access to economic opportunities and reduce racial and economic inequality. We are looking for candidates that have the right combination of skills, emotional intelligence and a heart for improving the quality of life and broadening opportunities for all New Yorkers.

SKILLS

  • Ability and experience working with diverse faith communities, especially clergy
  • Solid understanding of one’s own faith journey and a strong understanding of power
  • Strong relational skills and ability to connect, engage, and inspire community members across religion, race, gender, age, language, class and experiences
  • Capacity to think strategically and analytically about social, economic, cultural, and political issues affecting a community
  • Desire to learn and openness to challenge
  • Ability to work as part of a strong staff team as well as independently
  • Relevant previous organizing experience (Community, Labor, Voter) strongly desired
  • Organize successfully in religious congregations
  • Train and develop community leaders to take action effectively in the public arena
  • Strong and effective communicator
  • Strong interpersonal and relational skills to people on multiple levels
  • Prepared to lead and desires to be in deep partnership with others (community leaders, staff, allies, people with power)
  • Dedication to expanding the work of the campaign across various racial and ethic groups
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
  • Fluency in Spanish both oral and written is required

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Conduct up to 10 one-on-one meetings each week with existing or potential Faith in New York leaders, clergy, and influential external leaders throughout New York City, especially in Brooklyn and Queens
  • Provide regular organizing training for Faith in New York leaders and community members in the principles and strategies of congregation-based community organizing
  • Support organizing teams in congregations in outreach, research, and strategic planning leading to large community action meetings that impact systemic change
  • Attend weekly professional development sessions
  • Meet on a regular basis with Faith in New York Lead Organizers in Brooklyn and Queens to shadow, plan and evaluate work progress

This position is part-time, between 25-30 hours a week with some evening and weekend work. The pay rate is $20 per hour, depending on experience; benefits include excellent health plan and retirement plan. Opportunity for contract work is available. Candidate must successfully complete a series of one-on-one interviews.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
All applicants must apply online. 

Please include the following two (2) documents:

  • An electronic file of your resume (preferably in PDF format) ready to be uploaded with your application.
  • A cover letter (outlining your qualifications for this position) ready to be uploaded with your application. Please address the Cover Letter to Onleilove Alston, Executive Director.

 

Home, Labor Studies, Media, Murphy News

Report: State of the Unions 2015

What’s the relationship between unionization and the racial pay gap?

According to a new report by Murphy Institute Professors Ruth Milkman and Stephanie Luce, The State of the Unions: A Profile of Organized Labor in New York City, New York State, and the United States, unions narrow the racial divide in wage levels. The report states:

Blacks have higher unionization rates than any other racial/ethnic group. Those who are union members reap substantial economic advantages, such as improved earnings, more job security, and greater access to employer-provided health insurance and pensions. 

An annual publication from the Murphy Institute, the report provides a wealth of information about unions in New York City, New York State and beyond, providing union density levels by geography, industry, race, gender, earnings, education, and other variables, and showing modest growth of unions at both the City and State level.

On Friday, the report was covered in a NY Times article called Unionization Important to Closing Racial Wage Gap, Study Says.

See the full report here.

CWOP, Home, Labor Studies, Urban Studies

Pope Francis & the Moral Right to “Own Our Labor & Rent Our Capital”

A Growing Hybrid-Model-Movement Ripe for Political Consolidation

By Michael Peck

In America, the world of work has already changed beyond conventional wisdom sense perceptions and the willpower capacity of elected politicians to understand and embrace it. This workplace relationship tsunami, “a historic shift that rivals the transition from farms to factories,” calls out the anachronistic redlining between company and society, employee or independent contractor, worker versus manager, part-time as opposed to full-time, blue or white collar, as well as unions or work councils.

Today’s wrenching workplace issues — wage theft, eligibility for overtime pay, equalizing and standardizing worker classification, elevating minimum wage standards including the federal minimum wage, overtime protection, facilitating employees of contractors and franchise operations to achieve a collective bargaining agreement — constitute many of the most necessary but still wholly insufficient solutions to the problems at hand. The existential dilemma facing the world of work is that these problems together with traditional remedies have lost their time-space moorings.  Continue reading Pope Francis & the Moral Right to “Own Our Labor & Rent Our Capital” →

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Community Liaison for Brooklyn Assemblymember Maritza Davila 

Grassroots organizing office is currently seeking a friendly, energetic community liaison for an entry level position in an active Brooklyn District Office. We are a small but dynamic team of individuals dedicated to improving the lives of the members of the community we serve through providing excellent constituent services and community organizing. We are looking for someone who shares our commitment to fair housing, equality in education, and access to government services.

Written and verbal communication skills are highly important. Should be comfortable with public speaking. Prior experience with community engagement and direct services a plus. Spanish language skills desired but not necessary.

The position is full time and requires some nights and weekends. Eligible for benefits including health, dental and vision.

How to apply

Send cover letter and resume by email to fuenter@assembly.state.ny.us.

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) Seeks Researcher

Exciting Opportunity for a Researcher with a Commitment to Economic Justice

 The Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE) has been in the forefront of the economic justice movement in L.A. since 1994.  LAANE is known for its broad-based labor/community/environmental coalitions and its combination of organizing, research, communications, and policy development.  LAANE led the movement to pass a Living Wage Ordinance in the city of L.A. in 1997 and continues to advocate for policies and programs that benefit the unemployed, low-wage workers, low-income communities and the environment.  For more information about our work, visit www.laane.org.

Project Description:  LAANE is currently seeking a full-time researcher for a campaign for more equitable investment in a solar programs at the nation’s largest municipally-owned utility.  The campaign is advocating for a community solar program that helps low income customers and renters save money on their bills while creating good jobs and reducing our environmental impact. The community solar campaign builds on a successful effort to dramatically increase investment in energy efficiency programs that help struggling customers save money on their bills, reduce our city’s carbon emissions and create good, career path jobs.  The campaign also seeks to support and expand a pipeline for entry level workers to career path jobs at the Department of Water and Power that was created by IBEW Local 18 and the utility.  For more information about the project and the coalition, see www.repowerla.org.

Responsibilities:  LAANE’s Research Department conducts research both for policy campaigns and for publications that reframe the debate on the economy and low-wage work in Los Angeles.  Researchers conduct various types of research, including research on laws and public decision-making processes to inform policy development and campaign strategy, research on the economy and communities using government and other public data sources, analysis of data sets and original surveys. Researchers present their findings through written materials and oral presentations at community meetings, government hearings, council and commission meetings, and other venues.  Researchers also represent LAANE at meetings with allies, attend LAANE actions, and support the work of the organization and the RePower LA team as a whole.

Qualifications:   Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to economic justice and the labor movement.  Applicant must have a graduate degree in public policy or a related field or relevant experience.  Also needed: willingness to work long hours and weekends when necessary, and ability to work independently.  Skills required: excellent analytical skills, written and verbal communications skills, familiarity with database and word processing software, basic quantitative skills including familiarity with spreadsheets, interviewing skills, ability to work well in a team.  Driving your own car required.  Strong preference for public records experience, knowledge of Access software, campaign research, experience writing reports, fluency in Spanish.

Terms of employment:  LAANE’s salary and benefit standards are competitive. Salary range starts at $45,000 and will depend on qualifications and experience.  Full health benefits; 401K; generous time off; parking; and annual salary increases.  Friendly, team-oriented working environment.

Application Process:  Send cover letter and resume to Jessica Goodheart, LAANE, 464 Lucas Ave., Suite 202, Los Angeles 90017.  No phone calls please.  Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will not receive a response.

LAANE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.  WOMEN AND PEOPLE OF COLOR ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Enterprise Business Partners Seeks Program Associate

See original posting and apply here.

Program Associate- Housing Specialist/Placement Coordinator
Company: Enterprise Community Partners
Department: Vulnerable Populations
Location: New York, NY

Job Summary
Enterprise’s mission is to create opportunity for low- and moderate-income people through affordable housing in diverse, thriving communities. We raise and leverage financial resources, advocate for effective policies, and provide programs and expertise to help communities create and preserve safe, healthy affordable homes. We also work to ensure that housing connects people to other resources critical to success, like quality schools, transportation, jobs and health care. Over the past 32 years, Enterprise has raised and invested nearly $16 billion to build or preserve nearly 320,000 affordable homes nationwide. Since 1987, Enterprise has played a leading role in bringing together New York’s public agencies, community-based affordable housing providers, philanthropy and the financial industry to address the city’s most urgent housing challenges. In New York, Enterprise has created or preserved more than 49,000 affordable homes, and committed nearly $2.9 billion in equity, grants and loans to community development projects across the region. Meeting the combined housing and service needs of homeless individuals and families, seniors, and other vulnerable populations is a central part of Enterprise’s mission. In New York, we have created over 10,000 affordable homes for vulnerable populations over 25 years, almost a quarter of our work.

The Enterprise New York Family Homelessness Program
Despite Enterprise’s sizeable investment in affordable housing in New York City, there has been an intolerable rise in the number of families entering the homelessness system and the length of stay once families enter. Enterprise has vowed to create new tools to ensure that this crisis is addressed through affordable housing combined with appropriate services. Over the past three years, Enterprise has achieved success in attacking homelessness at a policy and systems change level by guiding the effective use of public resources to address homelessness, supporting effective programs on the ground, and developing new financial tools to support housing with services. But we cannot wait for our system level efforts to pay off – we must use the tools we have at hand today to directly impact homelessness among families in the near term while continuing our system change work for long term, large scale impact.

To this end, Enterprise is launching a pilot program in fall of 2014 to directly connect homeless families to affordable housing. This program, called Come Home NYC, combines extensive support in making the lease-up process fast and easy for both landlords and families; a service component to help ensure families are stable and successful; and a rent guarantee product to provide financial support to participating housing providers.

Job Responsibilities
The primary focus of the Program Associate will be the day to day program administration of Come Home NYC. This work will require the ability to independently set and closely manage to deadlines, navigate internal and external relationships with various stakeholders, think analytically and problem solve. Specific day-to-day responsibilities will include:

• Ensuring Enterprise is an excellent partner to housing providers by facilitating the unit to family match in an efficient and effective manner, which entails managing the pipeline of units, pre-screening each housing application and checking to see if there is a match to an available unit in the pipeline.
• Ensuring Enterprise is an excellent partner to our service partner, making sure that families are connected to their first wrap around services appointment with Single Stop and any possible future crisis intervention services.
• Ensuring Enterprise is an excellent partner to shelter staff, ensuring that they are made aware of when units become available and/or are kept up-to-date on pending housing applications. This includes managing the outreach process for collecting applications for the program both in general and when specific units become available.
• Providing quality customer service to housing providers, shelter staff and each family in the housing application process – ensuring each party has what they need to move the housing application forward.
• Tracking and monitoring units in the pipeline, ensuring that there is a viable set of applications for each one.

Additional job responsibilities may include:

• Assisting in the collection of necessary data for purposes of program evaluation.
• Documenting and reporting out on best practices and lessons learned around how to best match families to units and connect to social services.
• Collecting and documenting success stories for program marketing purposes.

Desired Experience
• Experience with and/or a demonstrated interest in affordable housing, including, but not limited to, connecting individuals and families to LIHTC units, the lease-up process, income calculations and/or the screening process
• Familiarity with and/or a demonstrated interest in learning more about the family homelessness sector in NYC, including public agency roles, federal, state and local funding streams and best practices in policies and programs for preventing and ending homelessness.
• Familiarity with and/or demonstrated interest in low-income/vulnerable populations, including navigating systems in order to connect individuals to housing, services and/or benefits.

Qualifications
• Undergraduate degree and at least two (2) years relevant
• Experience with project management, demonstrating the ability to set and manage towards deadlines.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent relationship building and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to multitask, operate independently under minimal supervision and with attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage simultaneous projects.
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to the affordable housing and community development industry.

*Please submit cover letter with resume*