YPP Lead Organizer

Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities of color to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. Make the Road New York operates community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island and White Plains, Westchester County. With a membership of 23,000, MRNY tackles the critical issues facing our communities, including workplace justice, tenants’ rights, immigrant rights and civil rights, TGNCIQ justice, public education, health care access, police reform and immigration reform. (TGNCIQ = transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer)

MRNY is a multi-service organization.  Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above -- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services: We offer English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change. Our health program offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more."

Make the Road’s Youth Power Project (YPP) supports youth of color in becoming effective spokespeople, decision-makers and organizers on issues important to them. YPP uses a multi-pronged strategy of community organizing, media advocacy and movement building to fight for community-based solutions to police brutality, immigration and education justice.

Current Opening:

MRNY is seeking a Lead Organizer to build MRNY’s base of youth leaders in Brooklyn and Staten Island and to support youth members in waging bold and strategic campaigns around immigration, police accountability and education justice.

The position would be ideal for an energetic, flexible and experienced organizer with a commitment to education, social justice and community organizing. The candidate will work within the Youth Power Project (YPP) to strengthen the power and capacity of it’s base, develop the leadership of our members, and advance city and state-wide campaigns around immigration, education & police accountability. Additionally, the candidate will represent Make the Road New York at coalition partner tables.

Responsibilities of the Lead Organizer include, but are not limited to

• Engaging multiple stakeholders and coalitions involved in immigration, education justice & police accountability issues including youth leaders, elected officials, funders and organizational leaders in the social justice field
• Coordinate and engage in public campaigns designed to mobilize young people around issues of immigration, education justice, police accountability, and proposed City and State legislation through action research, coordinating campaign events, alliance work, and electoral organizing
• Develop and implement leadership development curriculum
• Support building a membership base of youth of color grassroots leaders in Brooklyn and Staten Island with our YPP Organizers
• Supervise and support YPP Organizers in implementing key areas of work and developing their leadership
• Build and maintain school and community partnerships
• Provide support and participation for organization-wide and national campaigns and events
• Support advancing SPT project goals and connect youth organizers and leaders to our five year organizational vision.
• Participate in monthly organizing department, lead organizer and policy team meetings.

Qualifications:

• Must be eligible to work in the US; 
• Bachelor’s Degree;
• Experience with supervising a team of community organizers
• Must have 5 years demonstrated experience working with youth, preferable in an organizing or youth development setting; 
• Commitment to social justice and youth leadership; 
• Passion/knowledge of police accountability and education justice issues; 
• Experience working on an organizing campaign; 
• Be open to working some evenings and weekends.
• Required by New York City mandate to show vaccination proof 

Job Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal and communications skills; 

We are looking for a creative thinker with outstanding management skills who has the ability to develop specific project goals, implement new strategies and use social media communications to advance our campaigns. This is an excellent opportunity to impact the public dialogue on immigration, police accountability and education justice issues by putting young people at the forefront.

How to Apply:

To apply please submit resumes and cover letters at the Make the Road Career center. Applications will be accepted until December 17^th, 2021. Salary commensurate with experience, depending on relevant work experience and education. MRNY offers a generous benefit package including 

MRNY is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse staff. Women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities and people of color strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, disability or marital status.