Who We Are: The Flatbush Tenant Coalition is a member-led group of more than 100 tenant associations and hundreds of tenant leaders, building tenant power in central and south Brooklyn. We develop skilled and informed tenant leaders to challenge the oppressive systems that disenfranchise low-to-moderate income tenants. Our tenant leaders work together to obtain much-needed repairs in our member buildings, stop harassment and displacement, and strengthen tenants’ rights in NYC and across the state.
The Position: The Coalition seeks a full-time bilingual Community Organizer to help us build tenant power in central & south Brooklyn. Duties and responsibilities include the following, and are subject to change:
- Organizing 5-6 tenant associations: Work with tenants in buildings across our neighborhoods, supporting tenants to create and run “Campaigns for Respect & Repairs”. We teach tenants to facilitate tenant meetings, work with city & state agencies to document their repair issues, use rent as leverage, hold press conferences, meet with elected officials, get press, and more to win repairs and stop discrimination & harassment. Engage tenant leaders from these tenant associations to join our organization and to take part in city and state-wide campaigns for stronger tenant rights.
- Developing leaders: Work with tenant leaders to spearhead tenant rights campaigns. This includes providing formal and informal trainings for tenant leaders and staff; preparing tenant leaders to take on new roles in our campaigns and the organization; broadening our analysis; and sharpening our organizing skills.
- Building our base: Conduct weekly door to door outreach in neighborhood buildings to assess conditions and tenants’ interest in working collectively to win repairs and stop harassment. Distribute information about tenant rights and our campaigns through flyering, tabling, and community events. Identify new potential members and tenant leaders and engage them in our meetings and campaigns.
- Engaging in city and state-wide tenant rights campaigns: Work with tenant leaders and staff to coordinate and facilitate the Coalition’s role in city and state-wide tenant rights campaigns, including Right to Counsel NYC Coalition, Housing Courts Must Change, and StabilizingNYC. Support tenants to take on leadership roles within these campaigns, through formal and informal trainings, one-on-one conversations, and other leadership development activities.
- Contributing to the development of a collaborative, supportive team and a powerful organization: Take part in team, membership, and other meetings and retreats to jointly review and plan for actions, events, campaigns and the growth of our membership organization. Work collaboratively with our team to grow the Coalition into the organization our Steering Committee and tenant leaders want it to be.
- Tracking our work and progress: Keep careful records of all your organizing activities, using the Coalition’s database and tracking systems (e.g. sign-in sheets, outreach logs, Excel, Google Docs, PowerBase, etc.) Periodically produce reports outlining your work and the progress of our tenant leaders and tenant associations.
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
Full-time, non exempt. The position generally includes three evening shifts (1 to 9 p.m.) a week, at least one 9am to 5pm shift during the week, and a Saturday 9 am to 2pm shifts a month, for a standard work week of 40 hours per week. Although we do some of our work from home, this is an in-person position. The Community Organizer reports directly to the FTC Director.
The Ideal Candidate will have the following qualifications:
- A strong, demonstrated commitment to social justice and the Coalition’s mission, vision, and community organizing approach
- Some base-building or other community organizing experience
- Strong English/Haitian Kreyol or English/Spanish skills – REQUIRED
- Ability to develop and run trainings and workshops
- Strong written and oral communication skills, and basic math skills
- Facility using computers, including email, Excel, Word, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
- Strong working knowledge of issues and systems affecting low-income, immigrant, LGBTQI+, and BIPOC communities, and relevant experience effectively working with these communities
- An ability to relate to a wide range of people, including community members and families, elected officials, legal services providers, and other community-based and advocacy organizations
Classification: Non-Exempt
Reports to: FTC Director
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. This position requires traveling via public transit within New York City; walking up and down stairs in residential buildings that do not have elevators or where elevators are out of service; bending down to place documents under apartment doors; lifting up to 25lbs in equipment; setting up equipment for community outreach, tabling, and events; using a computer and keyboard; making phone calls and sending texts; and other physical demands.
To apply:
Please send a cover letter and a resume, in PDF format only, to employmentftc@gmail.com Subject heading must include “Community Organizer FTC”
Salary Range: Salary ranges from $52,000 to $58,000, depending on experience. Includes good medical and other standard benefits.
We are an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Other:
If hired, all new hires must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to beginning employment unless you have been issued a reasonable accommodation for religious or medical reasons.
Flatbush Tenant Coalition 