Winston-Salem Tenant Organizer

Summary

The North Carolina Tenants Union is the statewide union of local tenant unions united in our fight for housing as a human right. NCTU works with tenants to build durable, democratic tenant unions. NCTU’s member-unions organize grassroots campaigns led by directly-affected tenants to stop displacement, win critical repairs, stop rapid rent increases, democratically control their housing and strengthen tenants’ rights.

Housing Justice Now (HJN) is a Winston-Salem, NC based tenant union and affiliate of NCTU. The Tenant Organizer will focus on engaging and mobilizing HJN members, supporting building-level tenant campaigns in the Winston-Salem area, and growing HJN-NCTU membership.

Commitment and values

• A strong commitment to economic and social justice, including housing as a human right.
• A strong commitment to an organizing model and supporting a democratic member-led union.
• A growth mindset and a commitment to building a cohesive, unified team.
• Recognizable interest in the work and the membership with a desire to advance the priorities of the Union

Requirements

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and reliable access to a car.
• Must be based in the Winston-Salem, NC area or willing to relocate.
• Spanish language fluency is not required but is strongly preferred.

Salary and Benefits:

1. Salary: $57,000 annually
2. Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision insurance
3. Generous PTO policy offering 30 days of general leave annually

Job responsibilities:

• Actively build and practice skills to gain experience required to be a successful Organizer
• Assess, identify, and recruit tenants to join the Union.
• Actively participate and advance in the development of their own leadership skills led by the staff supervisor or a designee
• Identify leaders and work with the staff supervisor or a designee to develop new leaders
• Actively participate in and advance the development of members’ leadership skills led by the staff supervisor or a designee.
• Assist tenants and HJN members to build and grow their Union
• Identify and develop leaders.
• Conduct trainings and facilitate committee and chapter meetings.
• Implement and evaluate daily, weekly, and monthly work plans based on assigned strategic goals and objectives.
• Collaborate with the staff supervisor and other staff to develop plans and goals including membership, leader recruitment, mobilizing and organizing members for key union activities.
• Engage with strategic Union and community allies
• Travel within North Carolina to support union activities and campaigns
• Work with the staff supervisor and other staff to identify needs and utilize campaign tools to move campaigns effectively and efficiently
• Manage conflict and effective communication within the campaign environment.
• Centralize campaign notes and content so that information is accessible to the broader organization, including maintaining a database of member and tenant contact information
• This role may require long and irregular hours, with the expectation of averaging 40hrs/week overall
• Build positive, cohesive organizing team culture among staff and members
• Give and receive professional and constructive feedback with a commitment to solution-based communication.
• Utilize effective and appropriate communication with members, staff and community allies.
• Actively build skills and experience required to grow as an organizer
• Other tasks and duties as assigned

Skills and competencies:

• Adapt to changing environments and work under pressure.
• Strategic thinker
• Active listener and ability to engage in self-reflection.
• Ability to work independently and demonstrate self-motivation.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, members and community allies.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills; experience and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to hold oneself accountable to goals and commitments; willingness to collaborate with staff supervisor to identify areas of improvement and support needed.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and projects with varying deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Commitment to learn how to use technical platforms for communication and data management.
• Proactive approach to solving problems and building and executing campaign plans
• Willingness to learn and shift approaches between organizing as a member versus organizing as staff.

To Apply:

Email Resume and Cover Letter to winstonsalemorganizerapp@nctenantsunion.org

Your cover letter should describe why you're interested in this position and highlight any relevant experience you'd like to share.

People of color and women are strongly encouraged to apply.