Housing & Environmental Justice Lead Organizer

Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. Make the Road New York operates community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island and White Plains, Westchester County. With a membership of 27,000, MRNY tackles the critical issues facing our communities, including workplace justice, tenants’ rights, immigrant rights and civil rights, TGNCIQ justice, public education, health care access, and immigration reform. (TGNCIQ = transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer). MRNY is a newly unionized workplace, currently negotiating its first Collective Bargaining Agreement.

MRNY is a multi-service organization. Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above -- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services: We offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change. Our health program offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more."

Current Opening:

MRNY seeks an experienced Lead Organizer to supervise and support our Housing and Environmental Justice field organizers. This is a full-time position that will require statewide travel including to our Westchester, Brooklyn and Queens offices. The Lead Organizer will play a pivotal role in building a statewide movement of tenants and homeless New Yorkers fighting for safe, affordable, and healthy homes and communities. The Lead Organizer will report to the Director of Campaigns.

Key Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Lead our Housing and Environmental Justice portfolio in New York State; supervising a team of three field organizers to execute issue-based campaigns at the local, state, and federal level;
• Develop strategies to conduct field outreach to recruit and mobilize hundreds of new members annually into our statewide fights for housing and environmental justice;
• Identify strategic policy and advocacy opportunities in alignment with the vision, mission and core values of MRNY that meet at the intersection of housing, climate, and migration;
• Plan and implement actions to advance strategic campaigns, including direct actions, rallies press conferences, and other tactics;
• Build the leadership skills of staff and members through political education, trainings and one-on-one support;
• Track and report on key programmatic goals and outcomes;
• Collaborate closely with key local, statewide and national coalition partners and elected leaders;
• Coordinate monthly policy meetings that integrate MRNY’s health, legal and communications departments to ensure thoughtful integration with our full array of work;
• Represent the organization at external meetings, coalition tables and conferences.
• Support coordination of civic engagement initiatives, including, but not limited to, voter registration and Get Out the Vote efforts;
• Lead our Housing and Environmental Justice portfolio in New York State; supervising a team of three field organizers to execute issue-based campaigns at the local, state, and federal level;
• Develop strategies to conduct field outreach to recruit and mobilize hundreds of new members annually into our statewide fights for housing and environmental justice;
• Identify strategic policy and advocacy opportunities in alignment with the vision, mission and core values of MRNY that meet at the intersection of housing, climate, and migration;
• Plan and implement actions to advance strategic campaigns, including direct actions, rallies press conferences, and other tactics;
• Build the leadership skills of staff and members through political education, trainings and one-on-one support;
• Track and report on key programmatic goals and outcomes;
• Collaborate closely with key local, statewide and national coalition partners and elected leaders;
• Coordinate monthly policy meetings that integrate MRNY’s health, legal and communications departments to ensure thoughtful integration with our full array of work;
• Represent the organization at external meetings, coalition tables and conferences.
• Support coordination of civic engagement initiatives, including, but not limited to, voter registration and Get Out the Vote efforts;

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the U.S
• Required to be fully vaccinated with an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior first day of employment.
• A dedicated commitment to social justice and an understanding of challenges facing immigrant communities, communities of color, and low-and moderate-income families;
• At least five years organizing experience and a demonstrated ability to design, run and win organizing campaigns alongside community partners;
• Experience developing the skills and capacity of staff and member leaders of community organizations or labor unions;
• At least one year staff management experience;
• Demonstrated strong research, writing, policy analysis, and communication skills;
• Experience in curriculum development for social justice/movement organizations;
• Excellent organizational skills and good attention to detail;
• Ability to work well with diverse groups and populations;
• Ability to work flexible hours including some weekends;
• Be willing to travel throughout New York State including weekly in person work at our Westchester, Queens, and Brooklyn offices;
• Must have a driver’s license, comfort driving a vehicle that carries up to 7 passengers, and access to a reliable car; willingness to on occasion drive a 15-passenger van; and
• As needed, be able to travel via public transportation and drive to events, oftentimes driving members, throughout NYC, NYS and to and from Washington DC.
• Spanish/English bilingual required;

Job Competencies:

• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Be highly professional and team oriented with a passion for excellence and eagerness to help the department meet our goals.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and complete assignments under strict deadlines with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to work under pressure required.
• Have a working knowledge of spreadsheets, Microsoft Office suite, and using a database (ideally Salesforce) to run reports.
• Flexible work schedule, some evenings or weekends required
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• High level of accountability and initiative; needs to be a self-starter and eager to do team work to support the organization as a whole

Salary and Benefits:

MRNY offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $75,462 to $87,462

How to Apply:

Please attach your resume and cover letter and submit all documents to the Make the Road New York career center.

Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.