Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have:

The New York Hotel Trades Council, AFL-CIO, is currently seeking to hire a number of energetic, intelligent and dedicated individuals for the position of Organizer (H.E.A.T. System Supervisor). We look to hire the best of the best and so are always accepting applications on a rolling basis for this position.

The New York City hotel industry has been experiencing a prolonged construction boom and it is vital to our members, and to those who work without the dignity of a union contract, that we maintain and improve union density in our industry. This year we plan to launch a new, long-term program to organize non-union hotels in the city on a large scale. Mobilizing our 32,000 members will be essential to winning this ambitious campaign.

We have built a rank-and-file leadership structure called the Hotel Employees Action Team (H.E.A.T.) System. The purpose of the H.E.A.T. System is to increase the participation of the membership in the union and to greatly enhance the union’s ability to mobilize our members for large-scale action, in order to organize non-union workers, to fight for higher wages and better benefits, and to increase the rights of hotel workers.

Areas of Responsibility

H.E.A.T. System Supervisors will supervise paid staff members as well as volunteers. They will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the operation of the H.E.A.T. System, including (but not limited to):

• The recruitment, training, mobilization and supervision of rank and file leaders (HEAT Captains, and HEAT Network Leaders);
• The coordination of political action efforts in assigned communities;
• Attending and testifying at public meetings, including community board and city council meetings;
• The support of research to define campaign targets, strategies and objectives;
• The maintenance of the union’s databases of member and shop information and helping the union to use these resources to increase member participation in the above-mentioned activities;
• The collection of information relating to employers in the hotel industry, and the implementation of pressure campaigns against employers;
• The analysis of large amounts of data subpoenaed from employers such as payroll records, work schedules, time records, etc., to discover incidences of employer theft from employee wages, abuses of employee rights, and other contract violations;
• The calculation of back-pay claims, and the preparation of exhibits to demonstrate complex or large-scale employer contract violations in arbitration proceedings;
• The preparation of written communications to rank and file leaders and members, and the public;
• Logistical support for a wide variety of union events and actions (including strikes and picket lines).
• May also be assigned to work on internal and external organizing in Washington, DC.

Advancement

This position offers good prospects for advancement. Resourceful and committed staff members who become familiar with the union’s operations and distinguish themselves will have numerous opportunities for rewarding and interesting work.

Qualifications

Required

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice;
• Ability to motivate and inspire others;
• Ability to communicate respectfully and comfortably with people from diverse backgrounds;
• Ability to multitask, work efficiently, and be well organized;
• Willingness to work long hours, often on short (or immediate) notice;
• Willingness to handle a wide range of constantly changing responsibilities;
• Thorough attention to details;
• Resourcefulness and talent for problem-solving;
• Ability to learn quickly and grow into positions of greater responsibility;
• Ability to handle physically and mentally demanding assignments;
• Integrity;
• Persistence and determination;
• Loyalty to the organization;
• Reliability;
• Good judgment;
• Cooperative attitude.
   
  Extra consideration will be given to candidates who possess any of the following:

• Bachelor’s degree;
• Bilingual (in addition to English), especially in Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, Russian, Polish or Bengali;
• Strong computer skills and the ability to quickly learn new computer programs;
• Ability to write persuasively, clearly, and concisely;
• Knowledge of FileMaker Pro;
• Experience developing and maintaining databases;
• Graphic art and design skills;
• Web design and development experience;
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (especially Flash);
• Talent for photography and/or videography;
• Knowledge of Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects;
• Experience working in the hotel, restaurant, hospitality, or other service industries.
   
  Salary and Benefits

• Annual salary will start at $40,000
• Excellent benefits and retirement package
   
  How to apply:

  In addition to a resume and references, applicants for this position should include a cover letter that explains clearly and concisely the reasons for their interest in the position at the New York Hotel Trades Council, and specifically address a number of the above-listed qualifications, both those they do and do not possess.

  Send resume, references, and cover letter to: careers@nyhtc.org

The New York Hotel Trades Council, AFL-CIO, is an equal opportunity employer. All persons regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, religious affiliation or sexual orientation are encouraged to apply. People of color and women are strongly urged to apply.

New Settlement Apartments (NSA) is a not-for-profit housing and community service organization located in an underserved area of the southwest Bronx. We have a 24-year track record of active commitment to neighborhood revitalization and community development. Year-round community services, education programs and our housing serve, serve over 15,000 youth and adults each year.

Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA), New Settlement’s Housing Organizing initiative, has been working since 2005 to build tenant power through community organizing to not only address prevailing threats to tenants’ rights and existing affordable housing stock, but to expand access to safe and affordable housing. CASA works primarily in Community Board 4 (CB4), or the Highbridge/Concourse section of the southwest Bronx, but our campaigns often pursue city- and state-wide impact and thus work with vibrant and diverse coalitions.

We conduct strategic outreach and organize tenant associations, provide monthly housing workshops and legal clinics, hold monthly membership meetings and both lead and participate in city and state-wide policy campaigns. Our recent campaign work has focused on reforming Housing Court (including but not limited to a citywide campaign to guarantee universal access to legal representation for all tenants who find themselves in Housing Court), building city-wide support for a rent freeze for all rent-stabilized units, a city- and state-level campaign to end non-rent fees and associated harassment, and most recently, launching a campaign for the participatory rezoning of the Southwest Bronx. All of our campaigns are member-envisioned, member-led and member-implemented.

In September 2014, we were awarded the Activist Award by the Urban Justice Center for our “long-standing dedication to building the power of Bronx tenants and fiercely advocating for affordable housing” and in March of 2013 we received an Excellence in Neighborhood Organizing Award from the Association of Neighborhood and Housing Development, for our tenant organizing work. For more information, go to: www.casapower.org

We are looking for an experienced, bold, passionate, hard-working, and dedicated person who is looking for an opportunity to grow their organizing skills and capacity and help move our cutting edge and exciting work forward.

POSITION DESCRIPTION AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Guided by the Director of Housing Organizing and in coordination with other organizers and interns, the C.O. will work to strengthen CASA’s broad base of members, who are committed to housing justice, understand what it takes to build a movement and are prepared to take bold action to transform the quality and affordability of housing in the Southwest Bronx.

This position is specifically designed in response to the recently announced rezoning of 73 blocks (Cromwell/Jerome) that lie in the heart of our neighborhood.

Duties will include but are not limited to:

Building a Strong Base of Members through:

o Conducting outreach to educate neighborhood residents and groups about the rezoning process, community development plans, gentrification and anti-displacement strategies.

o Organizing Tenants’ Associations: We organize so that landlord harassment stops, repairs are done, people can stay in their homes, communities are stabilized, and ultimately so that people know and claim their own power. Our model is to develop steering committees that work collectively based on people’s skills, interests and time. We teach leaders how to facilitate meetings, make flyers, write letters, run press conferences, pressure the banks, meet with their landlords and lobby resources like HPD. Our goal is to develop tenants’ associations that can ultimately operate independently of our support while bringing members of tenants association into our organization and developing them as leaders to lead our campaigns.

o Conducting Effective Outreach and Base building Work: Using various and creative methods to recruit new members, keeping accurate records, assessing potential members, and effectively meeting goals to turnout members to key actions and events.

• Leadership Development: The organizer will constantly work to develop the skills, capacity and analysis of our members through informal and formal leadership development work. The organizer will work to encourage participation and a sense of ownership among members.
• Actively Participate in and Develop our Organizational Capacity: This includes participating in and prepping members to facilitate our monthly CASA Membership Meetings, providing monthly narratives and statistical reports on work accomplished, creating and facilitating regular workshops specific to housing rights, laws and processes, seeking out training and learning opportunities, facilitating staff meetings, actively participating in staff retreats, keeping up with database and reporting requirements and thinking through ways to develop CASA into the organization it can and should be.
   

  DESIRED EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS: This can be either an entry level or a mid-level position. Responsibilities will depend on the C.O.’s experience. Tenant Organizing experience is a plus. We are looking for someone with a strong track record of a commitment to social justice; demonstrated commitment to leadership development, community building, and community organizing as strategies for social change; ability to communicate, listen and motivate people to action from diverse backgrounds; strong experience in facilitation, training and leadership development; excellent writing and public speaking skills; computer literate; ability to work nights and weekends as necessary. English/Spanish bilingual skills preferred.

  SALARY AND BENEFITS OFFERED: Competitive salary, depending on experience. Comprehensive benefits package, including 401(k). Great opportunities for learning, growth and development.

  TO APPLY: Send cover letter, résumé and list of three professional references to housingorgsearch@newsettlement.org or by mail to Housing Organizer Search, New Settlement Apartments, 1512 Townsend Ave, Bronx NY 10452. No faxes or phone calls, please. EEO/AA

Churches United for Fair Housing is a grassroots organization that works towards community empowerment through community organizing, youth engagement, and by providing sophisticated social services. CUFFH organizes towards preserving and creating vibrant communities that are not exclusive and are really affordable to working families in New York City.

• CUFFH serves everyone in our communities regardless of race, creed, sexual orientation, or political affiliation.*

POSITION SUMMARY:

• Lead Organizer will create new, and will cultivate existing relationships with CUFFH’s clergy network and will build our base to tackle pressing community issues. Will strengthen our relationships with partnering organizations.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Facilitate Affordable Housing Workshops.
• Work with our outreach team to figure out logistics for the affordable housing workshops.
• Engage youth at Churches United For Fair Housing’s youth program on community campaigns.
• Will lead all organizing efforts and will prioritize which campaigns CUFFH participates in.
• Represent CUFFH at coalition meetings.
• Report back to the Director of Organizing.
• Work with the Director of Organizing to create a strategic plan and engage members to create and alter the vision of our organizing efforts.
• Work with Director of outreach team to develop annual goals.
• Will represent the organization in community meetings.

  QUALIFICATIONS:

• Deep passion for social justice
• Willing to work flexible hours
• Committed to help grow our efforts, and is willing to share insight and ideas as to how to expand the impact of our organizing work
• Must be reliable
• Strong communication skills
• Basic internet skills
• High energy and positive attitude
• Member of an organization that “base builds” and has a social justice mission, and community organizing experience is a plus but not mandatory.

  This is a part time position with lots of room for growth. Salary is commensurate with experience.

  How to apply:

  To apply, please submit your resume via e-mail at: hr@cuffh.org with “Lead Organizer” in subject.

Originally posted: May 12, 2015