Member Development Case Worker - CWU

Worker’s Justice Project (WJP) (www.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 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.

WJP’s Construction Workers United team (CWU) organizes and advocates for day laborers and low-wage immigrant workers in New York City’s construction industry. CWU is preparing the next generation of builders in NYC by delivering effective, culturally-competent health and safety training under Local Law 196, raising the wage floor for day laborers through negotiations with employers, operating a hiring hall for day laborers, preventing wage theft, and connecting the dots between workforce development and worker protections.

WJP is a fiscally sponsored organization of Third Sector New England, Inc. (TSNE) (tsne.org).

The Member Development Case Worker - Construction Workers United is a key member of the CWU team whose key responsibilities include strengthening and expanding CWU’s membership and building long-term, well-paying, sustainable employment opportunities for CWU members. This role will involve organizing and conducting leadership development and job/skills training for CWU members, as well as providing services, referrals and support to address CWU members’ needs. The ideal candidate will be aligned with WJP’s mission to build the power of immigrant workers and will have outreach and organizing experience in immigrant and/or worker communities.   

Essential Functions

Member Development and Support

• Conduct regular Leadership Development and skill-building trainings to strengthen the skills of CWU members and build their relationship with the organization
• Conduct a periodic, comprehensive assessment of CWU members' needs and develop an action plan to address them.
• Assess CWU members' level of experience and skill set in the construction industry and develop individualized professional development plans
• Assess new and potential CWU members and develop a plan to integrate them into CWU's campaigns and activities
• Stay abreast of industry trends and new developments, and share this information with the CWU team

 Labor Rights and Advocacy

• Identify workers experiencing labor abuses and/or workplace health and safety issues, apply strategies to address and submit complaints to appropriate agencies
• Organize worker committees to fight wage theft, and conduct regular wage theft education for CWU members
• Support actions to defend and fight for labor rights

 Community Engagement and Partnerships

• Facilitate the connection between CWU members and the media to raise awareness
• Identify, cultivate, and maintain effective relationships with key providers of community resources and services
• Stay abreast of community resources and procedures for referring members
• Coordinate participation in community activities with allied organizations among day laborer construction workers to recruit potential CWU members
• Represent WJP in community meetings, actions, and tabling events
• Refer members to appropriate agencies and programs when needs fall beyond WJP's mandate
• Contribute to members' success through participation in team meetings and interaction with team members
• Act as point of contact for internal and provider referrals

Data Management and Reporting

• Enter member and program data into WJP's databases
• Compose or prepare correspondence, case notes, narrative and technical reports
• Maintain accurate program records in WJP systems
• Track and compile the outcome of services provided, outreach, program reports
• Conduct follow-ups for all services provided
• Assist other staff with document filing and other administrative duties as required

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

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in human services, social work, or other field closely related or at least 2 years of equivalent experience.
• A commitment to WJP's mission, vision, and values and our workers and worker justice.
• Successfully demonstrated outreach or organizing experience appropriate to the position.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English and Spanish; fluency in Spanish is required.
• Knowledge of the construction industry in NYC, especially related to day laborer construction workers, or willingness to learn.
• Knowledge of workers’ employment and health and safety rights in NYC/NYS a plus.
• Experience connecting with members of the community on a one-to-one basis, preferred.
• Ability to work independently and accurately in a high-paced, deadline-oriented environment.
• Self-motivated and creative.
• Strong meeting facilitation skills.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities at the same time.
• Ability to work to deadlines and prioritize tasks.
• Comfortable speaking with diverse audiences, including those at religious centers, community centers, senior centers and beyond.
• Comfortable working as part of a busy team.
• Proficiency knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and other applications (Google Apps.) and equipment operation such as copiers, scanners, fax machines and telephones
• Knowledge of and experience using social media platforms.
• Exceptional administrative and organizational skills.
• Dedication and ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends as needed.

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:

• Able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions;
• Able to commute using the NYC public transportation system;
• Able to work in an open office space;
• Able to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends as needed;
• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls;
• Reach; traverse; sit or stand (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
• Lift and/or move materials or equipment 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.

Compensation and Benefits

Location:Work will be primarily performed at the Sunset Park Worker Center/Hub and will involve periodic travel and regular street and business outreach. This position is 100% on-site. Work cannot be conducted remotely.

Schedule: This is a full-time (37.5 hours/week), exempt position. The position will require working some early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends as needed.

Compensation: The salary range for this position is $62,400 - $64,350/yr.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): twelve paid holidays, three weeks of vacation, one week of personal holiday, and ability to accrue up to 487.5 hours of health leave time for benefited staff.
• 80% Employer-paid, offering some $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim along with several low-deductible plans;
• Low-cost Guardian Dental and Vision.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care.
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance.
• Employer-paid Pension and Employee-paid 403b plan through TIAA.
• ...and more!

TSNE/WJP strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/WJP prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/WJP celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/WJP's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.