Category Archives: Opportunities

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

New York Communities for Change Seeks Political and Legislative Director

New York Communities for Change (NYCC) seeks a Political and Legislative Director to aid in empowering NYCC members politically and maintaining relationship with elected officials and their offices, clergy, and allied organizations.

Responsibilities Include (but are not limited to):

  • Support the work of NYCC’s organizers politically and/or legislatively.
  • Develop relationships with potential political allies, educate them on NYCC campaigns and objectives and organize them to support those campaigns and objectives
  • Attend meetings of allied community organizations when appropriate to maintain effective relationships and build support for NYCC campaigns.
  • Set up meetings with elected officials and their offices and clergy.
  • Engage NYCC members in political education and training.

Qualifications:

  • Ability to lead by example, setting high standards in work ethic and professional approach to the work.
  • Ability to articulate a positive vision of the project and the organization.
  • Organize community events including meetings, trainings, press conferences, rallies and other special events.
  • Previous experiences in political campaigns are desirable.
  • Commitment to Social and Economic Justice.
  • Capacity to work independently and with a team.
  • The ability to make and follow through on a work plan.
  • Sharp communications skills.
  • Excellent Writing and Proof-Reading Skills
  • At least one year experience working on political campaigns or in a political or legislative capacity with a labor, community or advocacy organization.
  • Willingness to work long hours, nights, and weekends.
  • The ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.

Fluency in a second language is a plus.

Compensation: Competitive salary based on experience. Benefits: Health, dental and vision, 401K and paid vacation.

To Apply: Email a cover letter, résumé, and three references to oleirer@nycommunities.org. Please reference Political and Legislative Director in the subject line of your email.

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Joyful Heart Foundations Seeks Policy & Advocacy Coordinator

Summary

The mission of the Joyful Heart Foundation is to heal, educate and empower survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse and to shed light into the darkness that surrounds these issues. The cornerstone of the Foundation’s Policy & Advocacy work is a focus on improving community and criminal justice responses to sexual violence and, in particular, ending the backlog of untested rape kits.

The Policy and Advocacy Coordinator, reporting to the Director, provides high-level support to the Joyful Heart Foundation’s Policy and Advocacy initiatives. The Coordinator is a key point person within the Policy and Advocacy Department, helping to manage the policy and advocacy work of the organization. S/he works closely with staff members within and across departments to formulate and implement strategies to advance the Foundation’s policy and advocacy priorities and goals. S/he leads and manages designated initiatives and projects as assigned including, but not limited to, the management of the policy department’s website, endthebacklog.org.

Essential Job Functions

The duties outlined below are considered to be the most significant responsibilities of the Coordinator, ones that are essential for effective performance in this position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Program – Policy and Advocacy General (85%)

  • Provide high level support for Policy and Advocacy department activities at local and state levels
  • Manage the website and associated social media accounts, including but not limited to: contributing original content, maintaining updated and accurate information, contributing to website development and working with the External Affairs team, and implementing a strategy to broaden and engage a wider audience
  • Provide project management of The Accountability Project through support of the Director, maintaining consistent communication with lawyers and keeping records of progress, responses, and contact with external officials; develop strategy and facilitate the release of said information
  • Provide project management support for the state advocacy program, including monitoring and tracking legislation across the country
  • Conduct and compile research on rape kit reform and work with Policy and Advocacy team to strengthen opportunities for Joyful Heart to assist with reform
  • Represent the Policy and Advocacy department with both internal and external partners, cultivate and maintain relationships with strategic partners and attend conferences and coalition meetings
  • Monitor and track media coverage of rape kit reform, policy and legislative developments in news; convey relevant information to Policy and Advocacy staff as well as External Affairs staff
  • Research, analyze, draft and manage internal vetting process for high-level documents such as speeches, op-eds, reports, memos, briefing papers, publications, and web content
  • Prepare, draft, edit and distribute quarterly accomplishments, program metrics, fact sheets, reports, memos and publications to be used in advancing the Foundation’s advocacy work
  • Respond to requests for information from the general public and media, maintain database of all inquiries

Management Support (15%)

  • Provide Policy and Advocacy training and support for new staff upon their hiring
  • Collect invoices for all department expenditures and prepare check requests for approval; reconcile monthly credit card expenditures and reconcile any cash advances for the department
  • Provide additional financial administration support for the department including tracking spending on the budget, the creation of quarterly budget reports and analysis of expenditures on an ongoing basis for projects on which Coordinator is the lead
  • Support management of internship program and coordinate intern schedules and supervision
  • Handle meeting logistics and preparation including schedule coordination, compiling agendas, assembling briefing materials and making travel and conference call arrangements
  • Manage all data entry, record keeping and organization of server and hard files
  • Assist department in improving administrative procedures and systems
  • Answer phone and screen messages for team as needed

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

  • Degree in law, political science, public policy, sociology, women or gender studies, criminal justice, or related field. Advanced degree a plus
  • Two to three years of policy, advocacy, research, or reporting experience regarding violence against women and girls in the United States; focus on sexual violence work preferred
  • Non-for-profit experience strongly preferred
  • Government affairs experience a plus

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Strong project management skills, proven and effective leadership skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work effectively in a team environment, approaching problems and conflict professionally and constructively
  • Compassionate, self-motivated, extremely well-organized, collegial and able to handle numerous tasks and projects simultaneously
  • Demonstrates initiative and the ability to prioritize with minimal supervision and work independently as well as a member of a team
  • Ability to gather and analyze data, identify problems and opportunities, consider alternative
    courses of action, draw logical conclusions and adopt appropriate solutions; action oriented
  • Extremely detail oriented and precise
  • Ability to communicate effectively and appropriately to all organizational levels and external constituents
  • Experience with content management systems for websites and blogs strongly preferred
  • Proficiency in Word, Excel and Google Apps required; proficiency in PowerPoint preferred

Disclaimer

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

How to apply

Send cover letter, resume, writing sample, and salary requirements to: jobs@joyfulheartfoundation.org. Subject line must read: Policy & Advocacy Coordinator. No calls will be accepted.

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Equal Exchange Seeks Customer Service Representative Community Sales With Sales Support (Canton, MA)

The Equal Exchange Customer Service Department is seeking a Customer Service Representative to serve our customers in schools, congregations and faith-based organizations, and assist with serving Sales Department customers as well.  We are looking for motivated candidates with strong communication and problem-solving skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to work well with others. Previous customer service experience preferred.

This is a full-time hourly position out of our Canton, MA office, just 1 mile from the Stoughton Target. Equal Exchange is a worker-owned cooperative and an equal opportunity employer.

To apply: 
Please email your resume, cover letter, three references and your answers to the application questions below to: cshiring@equalexchange.coop by Friday, March 18th, 2016.

1.  Job Description:

  • Employment Status: Full-time, regular, non-exempt position on worker-owner track
  • Hours: 40 hrs per week
  • Benefits: 100% health & dental premium coverage, vacations, holidays, sick days, eligibility for worker ownership
  • Pay Range: $14.15 to $15.15 per hour depending on experience
  • Department: East Coast Customer Service
  • Report to: Community Sales Customer Service Workflow Supervisor
  • Responsible for: Community Sales order-taking and customers service tasks, program outreach, support on program systems and development, as well as service to Sales Department customers as needed

2. Qualifications:

  • Ability to communicate well with program customers, team members and staff
  • Ability to effectively manage time and responsibilities
  • Ability to work well with others
  • Ability to effectively problem solve with customers, team members and staff
  • Ability to take orders effectively and accurately
  • Ability to be flexible and manage several tasks at once
  • Exceptional attention to details
  • Interest in Equal Exchange’s mission and customer education
  • Sensitivity to different faiths and religious traditions
  • Previous experience with basic word processing and database programs preferred
  • Previous experience with customer service preferred
  • Experience with or interest in working for a cooperative organization preferred

3. Responsibilities:
Order Fulfillment & Customer Service (approx. 85 – 90%)

  • Primary contact for congregations and faith-based customer inquiries, orders and service questions.
  • Effectively answer phones, take accurate orders and respond to questions and concerns of Equal Exchange customers, including Community Sales Program customers, cafes, natural food and other retail stores, etc.
  • Communicate mission of Equal Exchange and Community Sales Program partners.
  • Build customer confidence in our ability to respond to needs.
  • Develop and communicate strong Equal Exchange product knowledge (coffee, tea, etc.).
  • Problem solve with customers and team members.
  • Maintain accurate transaction notes and computer records for customers.
  • Process credit memos / call tags / UPS tracking.
  • Respond to general customer inquiries.
  • Flexibility in performing other tasks, such as packing and shipping, when necessary.
  • Participate in on-going training in products, systems and marketing; help train peers as needed.

Program Support/Education & Outreach (as determined with supervisor) (up to approx. 5%)

  • Support Customer Service Manager on systems and project work as assigned.
  • Represent Equal Exchange and Community Sales Program with congregations, at conferences and at other events.
  • Provide customers with the information and materials they need to represent the program and partner projects at events and gatherings.

Fair Trade & Worker Ownership Development (approx. 10%) 

  • Participate in staff, department and educational (Exchange Time) meetings.
  • Understand our producer partners and trading policies and the Fair Trade movement.
  • Understand and participate effectively in our worker cooperative model.

Application Questions:
1. How do you think U.S. consumers think about and understand Fair Trade? What should Equal Exchange’s role be in the current fair trade market?
2. A customer service representative’s goal is to help build our sales through growth of existing accounts.  How would you go about reaching this goal? Why should we feel confident that you can reach this goal?
3. Define great customer service.  What interests you most about this type of work?

To Apply: 
Please send a copy of your resume, cover letter, three references and answers to the application questions to cshiring@equalexchange.coop by Friday, March 18th, 2016.

Equal Exchange is an equal opportunity employer.

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

PUSH Buffalo Organizing Director

People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH Buffalo) is a membership-based community organization fighting to make affordable housing a reality on Buffalo’s West Side. Founded in 2005, PUSH Buffalo was established to: create strong neighborhoods with quality affordable housing; decrease the rate of housing abandonment by reclaiming empty houses from neglectful public and private owners and redeveloping them for occupancy by low-income residents; and develop neighborhood leaders capable of gaining community control over the development process and planning for the future of the neighborhood.

The mission of PUSH Buffalo is to mobilize residents to create strong neighborhoods with quality, affordable housing; to expand local hiring opportunities; and to advance economic justice in Buffalo.

PUSH seeks an organizing director. The successful candidate must have a strong commitment to social and economic equity; collaborating with diverse community and worker organizations; and conducting effective organizing, outreach and the promotion of a comprehensive organizing agenda.

Reports to: Director of Programs

Location: Buffalo, NY

The Organizing Director will:

  • Lead efforts for community outreach, recruitment, education and grassroots politicalaction.
  • Identify and develop community leaders: Organize and conduct one-on-one meetings to build relationships with potential leaders identified during recruiting measures. Training and inspiring leaders to do the same.
  • Provide leadership development training to build the capacity of grassroots leaders.
  • Lead campaign efforts, including developing collective goals, leading strategic planning, connecting organizing work with research and public policy.
  • Build strong coalition relationships among diverse groups of organizational stakeholders and neighborhood leaders. Conduct base building with community leaders, through training and inspiring leaders to do recruitment. (canvassing, meetings, tabling, phone banking, etc.)
  • Monitor and evaluate community organizing program, practices, and initiatives to ensure quality and effectiveness
  • Supervise and provide leadership development opportunities for organizing staff.
  • Communications: Prepare messaging and talking points, write press releases, media advisories, public statements, recruit media to events, organizer press conferences, prepare press packets, write editorials and letters to the editors, write web posts and e-mail updates. Train and inspire leaders in media and communications work.
  • Running Campaigns: Facilitate PUSH Buffalo leaders in a campaign planning process through trainings. (Issue cuts, power analysis, develop campaign demands, research, escalations strategies, execution of plan/tactics/strategies,etc..) Through trainings we inspire leaders to facilitate the campaign development process.
  • Leadership Development: Prepare and facilitate meetings, speak on behalf of PUSH Buffalo, set-up and coordinate lobby visits, organize public events like meetings, actions, marches, rallies, etc. Train and inspire leaders as they develop new skills. Through trainings we inspire leaders to facilitate the campaign development process.

Applicants should have the following qualifications:

  • Minimum 5+years of experience in labor, community, political, or faith-based organizing Ability to think strategically and creatively about organizational development, program design and implementation.
  • Experience working with communities of color, immigrant communities, and/or people whose first or only language is other than English is highly desirable.
  • Experience leading multiple components of a campaign from beginning to end
  • Bilingual in English and Spanish with good written and oral communication skills highly desirable
  • Able to manage multiple campaigns on different timelines and with different objectives
  • Experience supervising other staff or leaders in projects or campaigns
  • Experience working on economic justice, energy democracy and social justice issues.
  • Knowledge of national, state-wide, local and coalition based context of issues, campaigns, and work of grassroots movements.

RELATIONSHIPS

  • Internal: Maintain productive working relationship with organizing and other key staff, PUSH membership and leaders.
  • External: Build and maintain powerful relationships with community members, groups, partners, collaborators, and targets as required.

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

This is a full-time, salaried position. Salary is competitive, based on experience, with generous benefits. Benefits include healthcare and 401(k).

To Apply: Interested candidates should submit their resume, cover letter and two references to Rahwa Ghirmatzion at rahwa@pushbuffalo.org with [Organizing Director] in subject line. Position available immediately.

PUSH Buffalo is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgenderindividuals to apply.

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

New York Communities for Change Seeks Lead Labor Organizer

New York Communities for Change (NYCC) seeks a Lead Labor Organizer to help oversee NYCC’s low- wage worker organizing campaigns.

Applicants must have:

  • Fluency in Spanish or French is required
  • At least 3 years of organizing experience in labor, community, student or political organizations or campaigns
  • 1 year proven lead-level organizing experience is strongly preferred
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (listening, speaking, and writing)
  • Commitment to the social justice movement and passion for winning change for low-income people
  • Ability to build powerful coalitions with a diverse set of partners, including labor unions, community groups, elected officials, etc., and coordinate with coalition partners through meetings and individual conversations
  • Must be able to work independently and manage a team
  • Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment and be detail-orientated
  • Willingness to work long and irregular hours, including nights and weekends

People of Color strongly encouraged to apply.

Compensation: Salary commensurate with experience. Health, dental and vision, 401K and paid vacation.

To Apply: Qualified candidates should email your resume and cover letter to oleirer@nycommunities.org with the subject line “Labor Lead Organizer”

Labor and Community Job Opportunities, Opportunities

Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies Seeks Faith-Based Community Outreach Coordinator

TITLE: Faith-Based Community Outreach Coordinator DEPARTMENT: Policy and Program Department
REPORTS TO:Director of Faith Based Initiatives (FBI)
STATUS: Exempt

The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA) is anti-poverty, policy and advocacy organization whose mission is to promote the social and economic well-being of greater New York’s most vulnerable by advocating for just public policies and strengthening human service organizations. FPWA has a membership organization of nearly 200 human services and faith-based organizations that operate over 1,200 programs throughout the New York City metro area. Together we serve over 1.5 million low-income New Yorkers of all ages, ethnicities, and denominations each year.

POSITION SCOPE

FPWA completed our strategic plan in 2014 and has the vision to be a driving force behind unparalleled upward mobility for New York’s most vulnerable. FPWA serves as a critical resource for New York City’s faith community. FPWA’s Faith Based Initiatives (FBI) Unit coordinates advocacy opportunities, community mobilization, training and information services, and capacity building. FBI also works with churches and other faith-based service providers to bring a powerful, informed, united, and focused voice of the faith community to major social service and justice issues at the city, state, and federal levels.

The Faith-Based Community Outreach Coordinator is a critical position to achieving our vision and goals, and we are looking for dynamic and strategic new team member who has the broad skills and passion needed to meaningfully engage diverse faith communities in building a city of equal opportunity. This position is responsible for developing partnerships with congregations, faith leaders, and community groups in order to increase the involvement, awareness, and engagement of diverse faith communities and community based organizations in FPWA’s efforts. This position is also responsible for ensuring that FPWA’s policy and advocacy initiatives are being introduced to and integrated into our faith and community relationships. This position will also assist with recruiting new faith-based member agencies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Outreach and Engagement (60%)

  • Work with the Director of Faith Based Initiatives (FBI) Unit to cultivate, manage, and engage relationships and partnerships for FPWA to execute faith-based advocacy campaign.
  • Support Faith Based Program Manager on new initiative to strengthen neighborhood-based relationships between social service agencies and faith-based institutions.
  • Collaborate with Faith Based Program Coordinator to increase advocacy participation and paid membership among FPWA’s current faith partners in child welfare, emergency food and shelter, women’s leadership, and other initiatives.
  • Coordinate faith leader involvement in FPWA’s policy advocacy efforts, special events, and capacity building activities.
  • Help recruit diverse faith-based organizations to become paid member agencies of FPWA.
  • Represent FPWA in diverse faith communities through public speaking, presentations, and meetings.
  • Raise the profile of FPWA’s faith-based advocacy and organizing initiatives among interfaith coalitions, community meetings, and events.
  • Oversee monthly faith-based e-newsletter, website updates, and social media posts by coordinating with Communications Department.
  • Cultivate and leverage relationships with interfaith, social justice, anti-poverty, and social service coalitions in New York City.
  • Work with Administrative Assistant to develop and maintain updated and accurate contact list of faith-based leaders and organizations.

2. Policy and Advocacy (30%)

  • Work with FBI Director and with the Policy, Advocacy & Research (PAR) Unit to develop a faith-rooted organizing strategy for FPWA and to train staff on this model.
  • Collaborate with PAR to develop and implement a faith-based advocacy campaign, which would include but not be limited to Advocacy Days in Albany and New York City, educating decision-makers, and mobilizing faith leaders and faith institutions.
  • Work with Faith Based Program Manager to develop and implement new faith-based advocacy training initiatives.
  • Develop and implement programs to build the leadership and advocacy capacity of faith leaders and faith-based member agencies.

3. Administration (10%)

  • Assist with fund development including drafting proposals, writing reports, and supporting fundraising activities as needed
  • Perform administrative duties as needed by FBI programs and initiatives (e.g., setting up for meetings and events, ordering of photocopy jobs, phone calls, etc.)
  • Serve on internal committees representing FPWA including the Board Member & Faith Based Services Committee, Policy and Program Department meetings, and others as directed
  • Perform all other related duties as assigned. Work on related FPWA efforts as assigned.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES AND QUALIFICATIONS

  • Faith in Action – ordination preferred but not a requirement; experience in working with diverse faith-based organizations and places of worship; ability to articulate value of interfaith work and to engage with interfaith collaborations; demonstrated effectiveness with policy and advocacy.
  • Action Oriented – enjoyment of working hard and looking for challenges; ability to act and react as necessary, even if limited information is available; a high degree of independence, flexibility, initiative, and self-motivation.
  • Partnership and Relationship Building – experience cultivating, engaging, and managing partnerships with multiple stakeholders to achieve outcomes;strong teamwork skills and track record working collaboratively with colleagues across departments and functions.
  • Communication Ability – excellent writing and speaking skills; experience facilitating meetings and workshops; ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders; ability to develop effective partnerships; fluency in Spanish a plus.
  • Results Orientation – track record of accomplishing goals and a bottom-line orientation; evidence of the ability to consistently make good decisions through a combination of analysis, experience, and judgment; and creative solution-oriented project management.
  • Operational Management – experience and demonstrated success in setting goals and objectives, managing to outcomes, and developing and using data to inform continuous improvement and decision making.
  • Solid Educational Background – Master’s degree preferred with a minimum of three years of experience working with diverse faith-based organizations and communities; proficient computer skills (e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.).
  • Commitment to FPWA’s Mission – strong commitment to FPWA’s mission and social justice; deep understanding of the needs of faith-based institutions and low-income communities in New York.

TO APPLY

Send cover letter and resume to jobs@fpwa.org.

No phone calls or other inquiries please. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies is committed to employing people who reflect the diversity of our member agencies and the communities and people they serve.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.