Economic Empowerment Associate

Reports to: Director of Economic Empowerment

Position Type: Full Time, Non-Exempt

Start Date: January 2025

Organizational Overview:

Footsteps supports and affirms individuals and families who have left or are contemplating leaving, insular ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in their quest to lead self-determined lives. Based in New York City with remote options nationally, Footsteps offers members peer and emotional support groups, educational and career programs, divorce and custody support, social events and celebrations, and referrals to partner organizations for additional resources. Since Footsteps began in 2003, we have served over 2,400 individuals as they work to define their own identities, build new connections and communities, and lead meaningful lives on their own terms.

We have recently completed a robust strategic planning process, which has laid out a clear vision for Footsteps through 2027. In 2024, as we continue to recalibrate post-COVID, we expect our budget to surpass $5.5M with a staff of over 30. This is both an exciting and critical time to join the Footsteps team as we strengthen our internal infrastructure and capacity to meet the expanding needs of this community.

Position Overview:

Footsteps seeks an organized and resourceful individual to serve as the organization’s Economic Empowerment Associate (EEA). The EEA will play a key role in creating a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment for Footsteps members. They will provide direct services to Footsteps members via educational and career services intakes, coaching, and referrals, as well as planning and coordinating events and workshops. They will also provide support in building Footsteps’ new housing program by conducting research and connecting with peer organizations.

Job responsibilities include:

• Educational Support (40%)
  • Conduct education intakes and assess the education needs of members
  • Provide one-on-one support to members via coaching and make referrals internally and externally (to counseling services, volunteers, mentorship/tutoring)
  • Assist in developing resources for and implementing Footsteps educational programs
  • Coordinate Footsteps scholarship process (organize materials for scholarship committee and compile data for funders)
  • Program and event coordination: assist with planning and facilitating evening programs and workshops (including ordering food and materials)
  • Assist with planning and facilitating evening programs and workshops, including coordinating food, materials, and supplies
• Career Services Support (40%)
  • Conduct career services intake and pre-assessment interviews to assess member needs
  • Refer members for career counseling, job readiness, and training programs internally and externally
  • Assist in developing resources for and implementation of Footsteps’ career advancement programs
  • Assist with the coordination of the Footsteps Internship Fund and the Vocational Scholarship Program, including oversight of the application process, organization of application materials, scheduling interviews, tracking and monitoring internship assignments, compiling data for funders, and providing administrative support for fellowship workshops
  • Communicate with Footsteps staff members regarding participants’ needs as they arise and ensure that key interactions are documented according to agency guidelines
  • Assist with planning and facilitating evening programs and workshops, including coordinating food, materials, and supplies
• Housing Program Support (20%)
  • Continue to facilitate and support relationships with other housing organizations, enabling us to strengthen member supports
  • Act as point person for member housing support referrals
  • Assist with coordination of the Footsteps Housing Fund, including oversight of the application process, organization of application materials, scheduling interviews, compiling data for funders, and providing administrative support as needed

Qualifications:

• Commitment to and passion for Footsteps’ mission and values
• 1-3 years of relevant experience with project management in the areas of economic empowerment, educational or career support, food or housing insecurity or other similar fields
• Strong writing, editing, and layout skills
• Experience researching resources and sifting through data
• Sound judgment and the ability to exercise discretion with confidential information
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, growing organization with tight deadlines and shifting priorities
• Skillful communicator with the ability to manage across various parts of the organization
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate problems, and find opportunities with a solutions-oriented mindset, flexibility, and optimism
• Ability to work occasional late evenings or weekend
• Ability to travel to our NYC office 1-2 days a week
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and Google Suite (Google forms, sheets, and docs)
• Knowledge of Salesforce is a plus

Desired Competencies:

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including listening, speaking, and networking
• Takes initiative, comfortable offering suggestions as well as asking for feedback and guidance
• Flexible and comfortable with shifting priorities
• Keen attention to detail and ability to manage and juggle multiple tasks at once
• Non-judgmental character and able to set aside personal beliefs in service of member needs

Location: Greater New York City

Start Date: January 2025

Salary: $53,000-$58,000

This is a hybrid position, with in-office days expected approximately 1-2 days per week. The ideal candidate works well in the office and from home.

COVID update:

All staff are required to be vaccinated. The office is currently open to staff on a voluntary basis. Program offerings and services are offered both virtually and in-person, at the office and offsite.

Team + Benefits:

You will be joining an amazing team of passionate, mission-driven colleagues. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes: 20 vacation days, 13 paid holidays, unlimited sick days, 5 personal days, summer Fridays, 12 weeks of paid parental leave, paid sabbatical after 7 years of continuous service, health, dental, and vision insurance, 3% match for IRA retirement plan, flexible spending accounts for health care and transit, and a professional development stipend.

We are committed to promoting an equitable, safe, and welcoming environment for our members and staff. Footsteps values a culture of respect and inclusive community: honoring personal choice, different sets of beliefs, and diverse lifestyles that promote individuals’ rights to determine the course of their own lives. Footsteps promotes diversity in the workplace and believes it is critical for our continuing success. We know that women, trans, non-binary, and other structurally marginalized people are more likely to apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We strongly encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement.

Footsteps is an equal-opportunity employer. Immigrants, people of color, formerly ultra-Orthodox individuals, LGBTQIA people, people with disabilities, and people who come from poor and working-class backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. Footsteps does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.