Tenant Advocacy & Engagement Coordinator

Job Title: Tenant Advocacy & Engagement Coordinator

Department: Tenant Advocacy & Engagement (TAE)

Employment Type: Full-Time (as funding supports) (Remote-Hybrid, Portland, Oregon)
Compensation: Hourly Rate: $30.53 – $32.93 (Non-exempt, Union Represented position)

Reports to: Tenant Education & Support Manager

Location: Based in Multnomah County with scheduled in-person work in the surrounding
area.

Duration: Through June 30, 2026 (renewal dependent on funding)

About CAT

The Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT) is Oregon’s only statewide, grassroots, tenant-led membership organization. Founded in 1996, CAT’s mission is to educate and empower tenants to demand safe, stable, and affordable housing. Our membership base includes low-income tenants, predominately low-wage workers, families with children, people living with disabilities, seniors, and tenants from diverse backgrounds.

CAT builds tenant power through education, organizing, and advocacy. We operate a renters’ rights hotline, host community workshops, and organize tenants to lead a culturally humble, equity-driven housing justice movement. We are committed to long-term systems change led by those most impacted by Oregon’s housing crisis.

Position Summary

The Tenant Advocacy & Engagement Coordinators will primarily be responsible for coordinating local work to build local tenant-led structures, grow CAT’s membership, and advocate for policies that stabilize low-income renters in their homes. The organizer will be expected to be responsive to the needs of the community and actively search for opportunities to grow regional and statewide power amongst the renter class in the region. Engagement Coordinators work throughout the state fostering audiences for tenant education and organizing. This position reports to the Advocacy & Engagement Manager. Coordinators regularly work on the Renter’s Rights Hotline and coordinate workshops. They will work to respond to localized housing emergencies, support tenants in responding to needs in their community, and build capacity for both civic engagement and direct action amongst CAT’s membership.

Media & Public Conduct

Staff are expected to uphold the organization’s integrity and reputation as a representative of CAT. Employees must refrain from making public statements—whether in media, online platforms, or other public forums—that could be construed as defamatory, disparaging, or otherwise harmful to CAT, its mission, staff, or community partners. Constructive feedback should be directed through internal channels.

Transportation Requirement

This position requires reliable personal transportation to attend in-person workshops, tabling events, and other community engagements throughout Multnomah County and surrounding areas. Staff must be able to travel independently as work duties require. CAT provides reimbursement for mileage incurred during work-related travel, in accordance with organizational policy and funding guidelines.

Key Responsibilities

Tenant Organizing and Culturally Specific Community Engagement

Cultivate relationships with culturally specific organizations

Build and develop relationships with tenants, advocates, community-based organizations, service providers, schools, and local officials in target communities throughout Oregon

Develop and provide training for CAT members and supporters (testimony training, meeting facilitation, facilitating actions, grassroots lobbying, etc.)

Support and grow engaged local tenant leadership councils with culturally specific organizations, communities and geographies. 

Engage in regular renters’ rights training and help tenants navigate their rights

General Tenant Organizing and Community Engagement

Support and grow engaged local tenant leadership councils.

Conduct volunteer recruitment and training as needed to accomplish Housing Justice Program goals with support from the Development Manager and other support.

Develop and lead phone banks, canvasses, tabling, and other outreach programs as needed

Conduct phone calls and personal visits with potential and existing CAT members coordinating with Development Manager and other support.

Coordinate with staff that work to activate membership through CAT’s mobile engagement tools (Every Action CRM, Mobile Commons Texting Platform, Social Media, etc.)

Organize CAT members throughout Oregon to participate in base activities to include story/experience sharing and collection, lobby day mobilizations, and local rallies or meetings

Support buildings and neighborhoods into building unions/associations and grow grassroots leadership

Provide information about tenant rights and fair housing rights and responsibilities as needed, with the support and guidance of CAT’s Education Program.

Coordinate communication between CAT communities throughout Oregon

Coordinate with local leaders, members, and CAT staff to hold local renters assemblies, meetings and events

Coordinate with Development Manager to cultivate and grow CAT membership throughout Oregon

Conduct field research regarding the conditions and experience of tenants in areas of Oregon as needed

 Tenant Education and Support Department Help - (play a supporting role as needed and capacity allows) 

Conduct/Create outreach and engagement materials and activities

Engage in renters’ rights training and help tenants navigate their rights

Support the Renters’ Rights Hotline with Call intakes and other duties as needed. 

Grassroots Fundraising (support as needed and capacity allows) 

Recruit new CAT supporters

Support CAT phone banks and personal visits to past and potential donors to CAT

Donor Cultivation

 General Duties 

Organize and participate in regular in-person and virtual meetings with tenant members throughout Oregon

Transport education and workshop materials as needed to all parts of Oregon

Provide regular reporting of campaign progress and field activities to the Tenant Advocacy & Engagement Manager

Drive your own vehicle to events in Oregon

Coordinate with culturally specific organizations. 

Provided weekly in-person and online landlord-tenant education through the hotline, workshops and other forums. 

Develop culturally appropriate and diverse landlord-tenant education materials

Participate in regular Renters’ Rights hotline shifts

Other duties as required and assigned, especially as they relate to CAT's 2023-2026 Strategic Plan.

Required Qualifications

Strong writing, listening, and communication skills

Commitment to developing leadership among low‑income renters and renters of color

Experience working with diverse groups (race, gender, age, income, education, sexual orientation, ability, etc.)

Ability to work independently, stay accountable, and manage campaign activities

Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and reliable follow‑through

Proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Availability to work evenings and weekends

Experience collaborating with community groups, nonprofits, public agencies, schools, or social‑change organizations

Experience recruiting, training, and supporting volunteers

Experience developing and delivering trainings for diverse groups

Empathy, passion, humor, and a commitment to challenging oppression

Comfort working with diverse populations

Reliable transportation and ability to drive throughout Oregon

Commitment to anti‑racism, including addressing racism toward People of the African diaspora

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Minimum one year of related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Valid driver’s license and car insurance (if driving is required)

Preferred Qualifications

Experience organizing in rural communities

Lived experience as a renter in Oregon

Bilingual or multilingual, especially Spanish, for service delivery and events

Experience working in culturally specific organizations

Knowledge of tenant rights and housing policy

Familiarity with EveryAction, Salsa Labs, VAN, texting platforms, or similar engagement tools

Experience centering and supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities disproportionately affected by the housing crisis

Experience working with immigrants and refugees

Lived experience with housing instability

Lived experience and/or understanding of race‑based disparities

Compensation & Benefits

Hourly Rate: $30.53 – $32.93, depending on experience.

Benefits Package Includes:

100% paid medical and dental coverage for employee, spouse/domestic partner, and children (subject to change based on grant renewal periods).

Oregon Sick Leave through Paid Leave Oregon.

Personal Time Off with a minimum of 120 hours (10 days) per year.

Family Leave after 180 days (6 months) of employment.

Opportunity to participate in the Oregon Saves Roth IRA program.

Environment: CAT is a family-friendly workplace. Flexible hours and scheduling offered as pertinent to your team's requirements. 

Position Funding: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CAT is reliant on annual grants and donations as its primary source of funding. This position is funded through various grant funding at various percentages. This position is subject to the availability of those funds. 

This position is 100% grant-funded (Seeding Justice 20%, EPA 50%, OHCS 30%) subject to change as needs and grants change).

Duration: through June 30, 2026 (renewal dependent upon funding).

Short-term temporary furloughs or layoffs between grant periods are possible.

Labor Union: This is a union-represented position and subject to state-mandated union dues.

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, or skills needed. 

CAT is an Equal Opportunity Employer:
Community Alliance of Tenants provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability. CAT complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. BIPOC, Women, LGBTQ, Two Spirit, and low-income renters are encouraged to apply to all our open positions. 

Preference given to internal or previously furloughed or laid off employees, per the terms in CWA's Collective Bargaining Agreement