Communities Resist (CoRe), seeks a Tenant Organizer to join a team combating gentrification, displacement, social disenfranchisement, and structural injustice through tenant organizing primarily in Brooklyn and Queens.
The Tenant Organizer will work in collaboration with an extraordinary coalition of neighborhood organizations to help preserve and expand affordable housing for lower income residents primarily in Brooklyn and Queens in the face of rapid gentrification and tenant displacement throughout their neighborhoods. The work involves developing tenant associations and partnering with CoRe’s staff attorneys to combat landlord harassment and discrimination of low-income residents; protecting individuals and families facing eviction; representing low-income tenant co-ops seeking to reinforce and sustain themselves; protecting community institutions facing closures or adverse actions due to extraordinary market pressures and neighborhood displacement; organizing low-income tenants in fair housing litigation; as well as organizing community groups involved in struggles against pervasive housing discrimination, neighborhood segregation, and other issues critically affecting the future of their communities.
The Tenant Organizer will work to stop such pernicious practices in these communities by: conducting active outreach to tenants and communities, forming and organizing tenant associations, assisting individual tenants, advocating before agencies and government bodies, and coordinating with staff attorneys to combat harassment and displacement through litigation and advocacy. Tenant Organizers will also provide advice and advocacy services to help improve conditions in their homes and buildings; conduct Know-Your-Rights housing workshops, clinics, and other educational efforts to ensure that tenants are aware of their protections under housing laws; participate in neighborhood and citywide advocacy efforts to stop tenant harassment, displacement, and residential segregation; participating in broader dialogue around these issues; and contribute to CoRe’s efforts to shape our housing advocacy and legal strategy to effectively respond to the ongoing needs of our communities.
Applicants must have the following qualifications:
- At least 2 years of experience engaging in housing rights advocacy, community organizing, or similar.
- Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Bengali, Arabic or another language commonly spoken in Brooklyn or Queens.
- Excellent and effective interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds, in diverse circumstances, and often in desperate crises.
- Ability to generate buy-in and excitement from tenants in order to form Tenant Associations and lead tenant meetings.
- Ability to attend frequent evening and weekend tenant association meetings, community meetings and events.
- Demonstrable cultural competence that may have been attained through past or present residence in the communities we serve or employment at, organizations serving similar communities, etc.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in order to maintain accurate and up-to-date records especially in order to facilitate communications and coordination between tenants and attorneys, complete reports, and fulfill grant metrics.
- Ability to work cooperatively within a team structure as well as independently, work under tight deadlines, manage multiple projects simultaneously, maintain accurate records, and follow through on tasks in a timely manner
- Ability and motivation to work independently, to manage a high caseload, track case data, meet deadlines, and to be flexible.
- Computer proficiency sufficient to independently review and generate materials relevant to the position as well as track client information in our database, prepare reports for grantors, attend meetings, and perform tasks related to the work such as timekeeping and case notes.
- Knowledge of Rent Stabilization laws, HPD, DOB, HCR and other housing agencies
- Ability to work with outside community partners
- Ability to be attentive, walk up and down several flights of stairs, door-knock and canvass in the neighborhoods and buildings CoRe serves throughout the year.
- Ability to lift/move up to 20lbs
- Ability to conduct outreach assignments outdoors and at crowded community events
- Other related duties as required
CoRe is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion/creed, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, victim of domestic violence status or marital status.
This is a Hybrid position which requires in-person work at the office and in the field in New York City – specifically in Brooklyn and Queens. Applicants must be based in New York City.
Salary Range: $64,136.72 – $107,931.01
This position is represented by The Association of Legal Advocates and Attorneys – UAW Local 2325 and is part of the bargaining unit. Terms and conditions of employment are governed by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Salary amounts are not subject to negotiation and follow the established CBA step schedule.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
To apply, forward a cover letter with your resume to:
Millie Sandoval, Director of Organizing
E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected]
Please put ‘Tenant Organizer Application’ in the subject line. Submissions without this subject line may not reach the hiring team, may be delayed, and cannot be guaranteed review.
