NYC Housing Organizer

About the organization 

Citizen Action is a statewide grassroots movement organization that fights for political, social, racial, economic and environmental justice. We work at the grassroots to give people a sense of their own power. We collaborate with organizations and coalitions in communities throughout New York to address critical issues at the local, state and federal levels. 

About the position 

The New York City Housing Organizer will be primarily responsible for organizing tenants in public housing buildings in New York City toward activating them around campaigns for housing justice. This role will also help advance Citizen Actions’ work with coalition partners on issues around tenant protections, more equitable and affordable housing, and investments in public housing. This role will involve building a base of volunteers who are engaged in the work with a particular focus on the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and cultivating a list of members and volunteers seeking to engage in housing justice campaigns.

We take pride in hiring staff who share our values & characteristics.

These include:

Commitment to Citizen Action’s mission, theory of change and vision, with a passion for issues of social, racial, economic and environmental justice

Ability to think strategically and creatively to solve problems

A high degree of professionalism and professional maturity

Willingness to think big and drive forward creative solutions, and also take on routine tasks as needed

Collaborative work style and demonstrated ability to work as part of a team and with people from a variety of different racial, ethnic, socio-economic, educational, religious, gender and generational backgrounds

Commitment to accessibility in communications for people with disabilities

What you’ll do and the impact you'll make

The New York City Housing Organizer will work to organize tenants in New York City to help advance campaigns for more equitable and affordable housing. As part of the role, they will be responsible for: 

Organizing renters in New York City: Recruit and grow a base of dues-paying members specifically from public housing buildings in New York City. This will include:

Engaging in traditional organizing tactics such as door-knocking in buildings, canvassing and tabling, planning and facilitating member meetings, leading 1:1s and trainings, etc; and

Developing members to take leadership roles in our organization and through our campaigns to win housing justice. 

Representing the organization with housing coalition partners: Citizen Action is a part of multiple formal and informal coalitions fighting for improved housing conditions for New Yorkers across the state. This role will include:

Representing the organization with housing coalition partners including as related to Housing Justice for All, the public housing coalition, and other spaces as needed; 

Coordinating organizational engagement with housing coalition partners by communicating campaign updates and needs to staff, members and volunteers; and 

Organizing action days, actions, mobilizations, phone banks, media coverage and other activities as part of our housing justice campaigns. 

Assisting with strengthening the New York City Chapter of Citizen Action: In addition to recruiting tenant members to the campaign, this role will be responsible for:  

Assisting with the maintenance of the regional board; 

Recruit members and leaders to be a part of the endorsement committee; 

Collaborate with other New York City staff around communication efforts to the NYC chapter including supporting the development of social media content, member emails, etc. 

Additional responsibilities may be assigned by supervisor

Skills/Qualifications

3+ years of directly relevant experience with grassroots organizing campaigns or organizing around a particular issue campaign; 

Experience working with a diverse coalition of grassroots, policy, elected and advocacy partners; 

Highly-skilled at engaging in core outreach and organizing tactics such as phone-banking, 1-to-1s, canvassing, meeting facilitation etc; 

Demonstrated success in recruiting and training volunteers to engage and take leadership roles in core tactics or activities as part of a campaigns; 

Excellent verbal and written communication skills whether in person or virtual with a variety of stakeholders including community members, lawmakers, and staff of other organizations; 

High-level of personal organization including the ability to manage deadlines for multiple projects; 

Strong relational organizing skills - ability to build trust and maintain relationships with community members, staff and others; 

Ability to travel; and

Bilingual Spanish speaker is a plus

Location

This position is based in New York City, reporting to either our Staten Island or Manhattan offices. In-person participation in meetings and events may be required at different locations. Periodic travel across New York State is required. Travel may be required outside of New York State. Travel may include multiple day trips and over weekends.

Our Benefits

Working collaboratively in an organization at the forefront of building power across NYS 

Competitive salary

100% paid employee monthly medical and vision premiums

Access to mental health and dental plans

401(k) retirement plan

Monthly cell phone stipend

Generous paid holidays, vacation time, and paid sick leave

Organization shutdown weeks in July and December, and Summer Fridays

Please note, all benefits are subject to change.

Salary: The salary range for this position is $64,405 - $68,619. Total salary depends on experience.

Union Affiliation

Citizen Action is proud to be a unionized workplace in partnership with Worker Action. This position is a bargaining unit position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Citizen Action of NY and The Public Policy and Education Fund are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. We are looking for the most passionate people who want to join our team. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Applicants may be entitled to reasonable accommodations under the terms of the ADA and state/local laws. Please let us know if you need assistance participating in the interview process.