Immigration 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 high-quality bilingual services: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. Our robust legal program 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 Civil Rights and Immigrant Power field organizers. This full-time position will require statewide travel, including to our Long Island, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and Queens offices. The Lead Organizer will play a pivotal role in building a statewide movement for immigrant New Yorkers fighting for immigration reform and other campaigns that will improve the lives of undocumented immigrants. The Lead Organizer will report to the Director of Campaigns.

Responsabilities but not limited to:

• Lead our Civil Rights and Immigration portfolio, supervising a team of five field organizers and one coordinator to execute issue-based campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Develop strategies to conduct field outreach to recruit and mobilize hundreds of new members annually into our fights for immigrant rights ;
• Identify strategic policy and advocacy opportunities in alignment with the vision, mission, and core values of MRNY that meet at the intersection of workers, housing, climate, and migration;
• Develop campaign plans and, where needed, lead or steer the coalitions to meet those campaign goals.
• Plan and implement actions to advance strategic campaigns, including direct actions, rallies, press conferences, and other tactics;
• Supporting the Rapid Response work around detentions and deportation
• Overseeing fundraising and funder relationships for Make the Road New York on immigration issues
• Leading Civil Rights and Immigrant Power Project, organizing team meetings;
• Building the leadership skills of staff and members through political education, training and one-on-one support;
• Tracking and reporting on critical programmatic goals and outcomes;
• Collaborating closely with key local, statewide, and national coalition partners and elected leaders;
• Coordinating 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 US
• 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 of 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 of 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 and able to travel throughout New York State, including weekly in-person work at our Long Island, Queens, Staten Island, 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/or drive to events, often driving members throughout NYC, NYS, and to and from Washington DC.
• Spanish/English bilingual required;

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 New York would like to thank all applicants; however, only qualified applicants will be contacted.

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.