Community Organizer

Location

Indiana | United States

Job description

Make the Road New Jersey

Community Organizer

Based in Passaic, NJ

Make the Road States (MRstates) is the national home for the second-generation Make the Road family of organizations in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Nevada, this in addition to New York, that serves to uplift the voices of working-class, immigrants, women, LGBTQIA people, and people of color across the Make the Roads umbrella. From an operational spectrum it serves as the Finance and Human Resources Compliance Officers for the umbrella at large.

Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and respect through community organizing, the provision of high quality legal and support services, transformative education, and policy innovation. MRNJ is a project of Make the Road States. Founded in 2014, MRNJ operates centers and organizing hubs in the cities of Elizabeth, Passaic, Perth Amboy, and Newark, that reach thousands of immigrants and working-class people of color each year. 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. In the past four years, MRNJ has won more than 18 campaigns, including the nation’s first guaranteed severance law, landmark anti-wage theft legislation, occupational and drivers’ license for undocumented immigrants and a $15 minimum wage. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services including ESOL, legal services in the areas of immigration and workplace rights, workplace safety training and college access.

Current Opening:
MRNJ seeks a full-time Community Organizer to lead our work in Passaic, NJ. The role will require in-person work in Passaic and travel throughout the state.

The Community Organizer will strengthen the power and capacity of our base, develop the leadership of our members, and advance city, state and federal campaigns that will meaningfully change the lives of working-class immigrants and people of color. Additionally, the Organizer will represent Make the Road New Jersey at coalition partner tables and help lead campaigns and coalitions. This position is ideal for an energetic go-getter with a commitment to social justice, community organizing and civic engagement.

Key Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Conduct one-on-one regular outreach through home visits, street outreach and one-on-one calls to low income and immigrant community members;
• Build a base of working-class and immigrant community members to become grassroots leaders and members of MRNJ and be actively involved in at least one of the ongoing campaigns including attending and participating in meetings, actions, and events;
• Meet weekly, monthly, and quarterly goals set forth in collaboration with broader organizing team;
• Host weekly meetings of community members, create agenda and prepare members for meetings;
• Host leadership team meeting;
• Hold frequent one-on-one meetings with both current and prospective committee members;
• Maintain regular contact with new and current members;
• Coordinate with member leaders to plan and execute base-building events and actions;
• Develop member leaders’ facilitation skills to lead meetings, workshops and actions;
• Develop informed, confident member leaders who themselves can recruit, mobilize, and organize others and help lead our coalition and campaign work;
• Lead teams of member-organizers through community outreach and actions, including door-knocking, rallies, protests, engagement with elected officials, etc;
• Work with broader organizing team, key member leaders and allies to move forward city, state and federal campaigns;
• Lead teams of member-organizers through community outreach and actions, including door-knocking, rallies, protests, engagement with elected officials, etc;
• Support and participate in organization-wide events throughout the year;
• Create leadership development and political education workshops and trainings for members;
• Foster and work in close and effective coordination with the Organizing Director and members of the other departments and coalitions;

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the US;
• Fully vaccinated with an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine, required;
• At least 2 years of organizing experience preferred
• High School Diploma or equivalent experience;
• BA from an accredited university or equivalent preferred;
• Proficiency (fluency preferred) in Spanish;
• Demonstrated commitment to social, racial and economic justice, and an understanding of the challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, and communities of color;
• Interest in supporting community organizing, campaigns, and policy and advocacy initiatives;
• Desire to work collaboratively;
• Flexibility to attend evening and weekend events and meetings, as needed.

Job Competencies:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and organizational skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully with a diverse client population as well as with community members, co-workers, and the public;
• Self-motivated, detail oriented, well-organized, and be able to prioritize assignments and workload.
• Interpersonal and organizational skills of the highest caliber;
• Strong computer skills;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high intensity environment;
• High level of accountability and initiative;
• Analytical Thinking;
• Problem Solving Ability;
• System-Oriented;
• Attention to Detail;
• Empathetic Outlook;
• Team Player.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working among populations that make up major portions of MRNY’s membership, such as documented and undocumented immigrants, members of TGNICQ communities, and youth.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships of trust and mutual respect in coalition work.

Salary and Benefits:
MRStates offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $49,023 to $67,241.

How to Apply:
Please attach cover letter/résumé and submit all documents to the Make the Road New Jersey career center. Apply HERE!

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.

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