The Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance is a coalition of community-based and city-wide organizations who wish to see a vibrant community in the place of the Sheridan Expressway. For fifteen years, the SBRWA has campaigned to replace the 1.25 mile-long Sheridan Expressway with a community-based plan that includes fixing the transportation network and creating affordable housing, open space, and local economic development opportunities. SBRWA works toward a vision of the southern Bronx River watershed that includes a healthy environment, a prolific economy and a community that maximizes the benefits of the river as a rich natural and recreational resource. The Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance is comprised of five Bronx-based community organizations and two city-wide advocacy groups.
The SBRWA is seeking a full-time coordinator to coordinate its community education and organizing work, support the participation of its member organizations, and manage its day-to-day communications and operations of the campaign. The coordinator will work in offices one of the Bronx-based members of the Alliance. Evening and weekend hours are expected and are occasionally necessary.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Community Organizing & Outreach
● Establish and maintain relationships between the Alliance and relevant local organizations and institutions
● Along with Alliance member organizations and other partners, build and sustain a community base for the campaign, including the development of new leaders
● Attend and make presentations at relevant local meetings and hearings, including Community Boards, city & state agency townhalls and charettes
● Secure Alliance participation in relevant local community events (tabling, etc)
● In addition to the Sheridan campaign, participate in the organizing and planning work of member groups as it relates to the campaign
● Work with Alliance members to coordinate community events and meetings such as town halls, community council meetings, workshops, etc.
Political Advocacy and Intergovernmental Relations
● Working with Alliance members to advance the political strategy of the campaign including securing political support and capital funding for the transformation of the Sheridan Corridor
● Keeping the Alliance engaged with and informed of the activities of city and state agencies relevant to the Alliance’s campaign
● Coordinate communication between Alliance members and other relevant public agencies and officials, including keeping the Alliance apprised of relevant agency meetings, announcement, and actions
● Communicate with elected and appointed state, city and federal officials and local community boards through meetings, letters, phone calls, email, etc
Administration and General Coordination
● Schedule, coordinate, facilitate, and take notes for monthly Alliance meetings and subcommittee conference calls
● Communicate regularly with Alliance member organizations to ensure that every group is up to date on the various elements of the campaign and using its capacities to advance the campaign
● Hold member groups accountable for various tasks assigned
Public Relations, Communications, and City-wide Outreach
● Maintain relationships with relevant city-wide, local, and ethnic media with goal of increasing press coverage of Alliance’s work and activities
● With support from Alliance members, draft press releases, opinion pieces, editorials, and letters to the press
● Manage and generate content for website, blog and social media outlets
● Create educational materials in English and Spanish about the Alliance’s campaign
● Work with Alliance members on the overall external communication strategy of the campaign
Fundraising and Development
● With the support of the Alliance members, research and apply for new and ongoing funding opportunities
● Work with Alliance members to develop new sources of support, potentially including private donors
● Report on and close out existing grants at the end of each grant cycle
● Work with Alliance members to maintain rapport with funders
Skills and Experience
The ideal candidate:
● Has a demonstrated interest and experience in community organizing and/or social and environmental justice advocacy.
● Proactively identifies opportunities and envisions creative strategies and partnerships
● Has exceptional people, communication, and writing skills
● Is able to commit to working weekends and evenings as needed
● Is proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and online systems
● Has an understanding of land use and development, transportation and related issues in the South Bronx and New York City context
● Has familiarity with NYC and NYS politics
● Holds a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (i.e. urban planning, community organizing, policy, transportation, planning, geography, political science etc.), and have two to four years’ experience in community development and/or advocacy work, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
● Must be self-motivated, highly organized, and able to work collaboratively with others across a range of individual and organizational styles.
● Is preferably bilingual (Spanish & English)
How to Apply
Email cover letter and resume to Angela Tovar, Human Resources Committee, SBRWA at hr.sbrwa@gmail.com. No phone calls please. SBRWA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Salary will be commensurate with experience.
The Southern Bronx River Watershed Alliance is:
Mothers on the Move + Nos Quedamos + The Pratt Center for Community Development + The Point CDC + Sustainable South Bronx + Tri-State Transportation Campaign + Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice
