Workers' Rights Organizer

Worker’s Justice Project (WJP) (workersjustice.org) was founded in 2010 to address the racial and economic injustices that low-wage immigrant workers face in New York City by building collective power to win institutional change. WJP, a fiscally-sponsored project of TSNE (tsne.org), runs two long-standing worker’s centers in Brooklyn. We promote justice and opportunity for low-wage immigrant workers in New York City by pushing for systematic enforcement and expansion of workplace protections, which include labor and occupational health and safety standards while advocating for industry-specific efforts to improve working conditions. WJP also offers skills-building training to workers in health & safety and industry-specific areas and we educate immigrant communities about their rights in the workplace and how to exercise those rights.

The Community Organizer (Organizer) works from WJP‘s Sunset Park and Williamsburg Worker Centers. The Organizer works directly supporting a team of organizers who are ready to strengthen and expand WJP’s membership, win concrete and transformative workplace campaign victories, and significantly contribute to long-term movement building in New York City and beyond.

The ideal candidate will not only align themselves with WJP’s vision and mission but will have a proven track-record of organizing experience and administrative understanding of processes and will follow through to the last detail. The Organizer is a key thought partner in shaping WJP’s overall organizational development strategy and vision.

The Organizer is required to work on-site and on occasional evenings and weekends. The work performed is deemed Essential, as the Organizer is responsible for ensuring that activities are conducted professionally, in a culturally sensitive manner, and are consistent with WJP’s (NY State and City) Covid-19 safety protocols and organizational mission. This position is temporary for 6 months from hire date. Renewal is expected contingent upon securing additional funding.

Essential Functions

Worker Organizing & Campaign Leadership

• Work with team members to develop meeting agendas and facilitate meetings to engage workers;
• Lead regular worker and membership meetings to provide opportunities for members to discuss internal operational issues, learn about the political process, discuss current events impacting the community and to identify upcoming advocacy and organizing opportunities;
• Provide administrative process support to WJP leadership and staff, including developing and presenting training series, membership meetings and other forms of member engagement; All meetings are virtual based on COVID-19 restrictions in place;
• Conduct trainings for workers about their labor rights, pertaining primarily to issues of wage theft, discrimination and workplace health and safety;
• Contribute to WJP’s annual operations calendars and manuals across all areas of work;
• Attend and participate in WJP trainings and meetings providing administrative support as needed;
• Identify and help build WJP’s base and develop WJP members through one-on-ones. Set one-on-one meetings with new workers members identified through outreach and walk-ins;
• Conduct consistent and targeted street outreach to workers. Find new contacts by making worksite visits and other general community outreach. Conduct regular outreach to build awareness and increase member participation in new organizing initiatives;
• Take a leadership role in carrying out campaign strategy, including but not limited to: developing relationships with organizational partners and allies, communicating with problem resolution with bosses and leading direct actions;
• Motivate, agitate and obtain commitment from workers, and support workers to take direct action in their workplaces, to file complaints and to educate their co-workers about their rights;
• Attend and actively participate in all activities sponsored by WJP;
• Provide the tools and support processes needed for the organizers to be successful and to thrive. These include individual and team tools, resources and trainings;
• Ensure that WJP’s organizing team sets and meets the highest standards of organizing;
• Develop and periodically assess individual team member goals and work plans, and identify and provide ongoing staff development;
• Work with members, organizers, and others in the organization to develop knowledge, tools, and campaign strategy;
• Support the creation of a harmonious, sustainable, and effective work environment by developing trusting, genuine, and respectful relationships with all team members including direct reports. 

Advocacy & Leadership Development

• Serve as a lead staff organizer to engage members in organizing campaigns;
• Convene and facilitate committees, meetings and general assemblies with members as needed. Create space in committee activities where workers can make decisions about their plans, initiatives and campaigns;
• Create spaces for workers to demonstrate their leadership and foster empower and ownership over their organization.
• Facilitate dialogue and education for domestic workers about their legal rights and responsibilities;
• Incorporate popular education and teaching methodologies into the training and workshops for domestic workers;
• Work in collaboration with staff and member leaders to develop and promote leadership and empowerment of domestic and other workers;
• Promote democratic decision-making processes;
• Partnership Work - Maintain and nourish positive community and public relations with neighbors, volunteers, the press, community organizations, medical and legal representatives and other institutions including churches, unions, and local businesses;
• Engage in policy and legislative advocacy in relation to program goals;
• Conflict Resolution - identify, manage and facilitate both internal and external conflict resolution;
• Collective Identity - Aid worker members and leaders in developing a collective cultural identity and in orientating and orientating and integrating individual members into Workers Justice Project.

Health and Safety the WJP Workplace

• Follow all WJP safety protocols and safety rules, while working on-site as an Essential employee;
• Use and model good judgment in following safety procedures;
• Maintain a clean and compliant designated work area and equipment;
• Conduct health check-in with visitors and members before scheduling in-person appointments;
• Use personal protective equipment at all times while working on site as an Essential Employee;
• Provide members with relevant safety information and ensure personal protective equipment is used at all times while on site.
• Provide information related to the Centers’ first aid, toilets, and wash facilities, and emergency procedures;
• Provide relevant health and safety information to the public in the form of signage and event and meeting announcements;
• Monitor, manage and on-site risks by deploying trained member leaders who are responsible for crowd and traffic control. It is expected that everyone using the space signs upon entry into the Centers in order to monitor and control visitors and to mitigate risk.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• A commitment to WJP’s mission, vision and values and our workers and worker justice;
• 2 to 5 years of labor, immigration and/or community organizing experience;
• Basic knowledge of New York State and Federal labor and employment laws;
• Excellent people and relationship building skills;
• Ability to manage multiple projects at the same time;
• Competent knowledge of social media, computer operations (Google Apps, Word, Excel, etc.) and equipment operation such as copiers, fax machines and telephones;
• Proficiency with Microsoft office software (Microsoft Word, Excel, Mail, etc.;
• Administrative and organizational skills necessary to carry out the job description responsibilities;
• Deep dedication to the leadership of directly affected people;
• A belief in peoples’ ability to change their conditions and their communities;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Love of teamwork and a good team player while working in a collaborative work environment;
• Community organizing and training in popular education methods with knowledge of and commitment to immigrant rights and social justice;
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English and Spanish. Spanish fluency is required;
• Strong meeting facilitation skills;
• Dedication and ability to work a flexible schedule including early morning hours and some Saturdays;
• Special interest in building power among low-income people of color to fight for social economic and racial justice.

Position Information and Work Schedule

This is a full-time, exempt position. Generous benefits, including medical and dental, sick days, and vacation benefits. Salary is commensurate with experience. The position will travel periodically once COVIDF-19 restricted are lifted, as well as working some weekends. 

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls;
• Reach; traverse; sit (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards;
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

TSNE/Worker's Justice Project envisions a society grounded in the principles of social and economic justice. As such, we strive to achieve excellence through a diverse and inclusive workplace that honors the unique talents and lived experiences of each person. Our vision and values are reflected in all our employment-related decisions, including hiring practices. Accordingly, TSNE actively seeks people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in our work.

As an EOE/AA employer, TSNE/Worker's Justice Project will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, veteran or disability status or any other factor prohibited by law.