JOB ANNOUNMENT:

Tenant Organizer Position

About Tenants & Neighbors:

Tenants & Neighbors is a small, dynamic, grassroots organization that harnesses the power of tenants to preserve at-risk affordable housing and strengthen tenant rights in gentrifying neighborhoods throughout New York. We have two affiliate organizations: one that does grassroots tenant organizing at the building and community level to preserve at-risk affordable housing developments and one that does tenant-led legislative organizing and advocacy to address the underlying causes of loss of affordability.

About the Tenant Organizer Position: The tenant organizer will assist, inform, educate, and tenants living in rent-regulated buildings at risk of displacement and harassment by landlords. The candidate must be able to work with a diverse group of tenants, both economically and racially. Successful applicants will have experience engaging in the relational organizing model. Candidates must have demonstrated experience in building strong teams of members, and campaign and leadership development.

The tenant organizer will:

Identify eligible buildings for outreach, organizing, and tenant engagement and prioritize at-risk buildings. Engage in door-to-door outreach and identify and recruit tenant leaders to help form or strengthen independent tenant associations, with the supervisor, provide training in tenants' rights, rent regulations, and organizational and leadership development to targeted tenant associations. Work closely with organizers from the Partners in Preservation group of organizations. Help tenants identify critical areas of need, goals, and strategies for selected buildings. Assist tenant associations in networking and building alliances with other tenant associations and allies in their immediate neighborhoods and within owner portfolios. When necessary, assist tenants and tenant associations in obtaining legal support services through legal services organizations. Track the number of organizations and tenants that receive capacity-building services through an activity log. Become an expert with housing databases and other sources of housing data and information In conjunction with legal and other advocacy partners work to support and provide guidance to building tenant associations in cases of landlord harassment, and poor building conditions; work may include liaison with elected officials, and government agencies; one-on-one tenant counseling Recruit tenants to become members of the organization, participate in leadership programs, and be active in campaign events and actions  And support the broader goals and mission of the organization.

Qualifications:

  • At least 1 year in housing, community, labor, or political organizing

  • Experience engaging in the relational organizing mode

  • Experience moving people into action and conducting leadership development activities

  • Experience participating in issue-based campaigns

  • Ability to work independently and at times, in a fast-paced environment

  • Demonstrated experience and ability to work/organize across racial and cultural lines.

  • Experience working in a grassroots membership organization or other type of social justice organization.

  • Demonstrate commitment to building long-term power with low-income people of color, their families, and their communities.

  • Strong strategic thinking, attention to detail, and ability to identify key issues and risks in meeting long- and short-term goals

  • Highly motivated, self-directed manager

  • Ability to build strong working relationships with tenants and members and represent T&N internally and externally

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills

  • Spanish language proficiency is a plus but not required.

Compensation / Benefits: $50,000 or commensurate with experience. Tenants & Neighbors provides an excellent benefits package including medical, vision, and dental coverage, generous paid vacation and sick days, a monthly MetroCard, and a 403(b) plan.

Normal work schedule is 10:00 am - 6:00 pm Monday-Friday, as well as some evening and weekend work.

HOW TO APPLY: Please email a resume, names, contacts of three references, and a thoughtful cover letter detailing your interest in this position and the organization to Wanda Mercado, Operations Manager: Employment@tandn.org. Tenants & Neighbors is an Equal Opportunity Employer.