Temp Tenant Organizer (Law Project)

Goddard Riverside Community Center•New York, NY

4d•$57,680 - $82,238•Onsite

About The Position

The Goddard Riverside Law Project provides free legal representation and organizing support to low-income individuals, families, and tenant groups on Manhattan’s west side to preserve affordable housing and improve living conditions. Its staff of tenant organizers and attorneys works with individual tenants and groups, educates tenants about their rights, and collaborates with community groups on citywide campaigns. The project addresses housing problems in single-room occupancy and apartment buildings, including eviction, harassment, rent overcharges, illegal lockouts, lack of heat and hot water, and other poor building conditions. The temporary Tenant Organizer position is expected to last three to six months. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., for 35 hours per week. The organizer works with tenants in SRO and apartment buildings on Manhattan’s west side, including Harlem, and takes part in building-level organizing, citywide campaigns, advocacy, and support for tenant legal cases. The role also includes administrative responsibilities. The salary range is $57,680–$82,238.29, with the offer based on relevant experience and preferred qualifications. Compensation follows a UAW union scale and is competitive with NYC public interest salaries. Benefits include vacation, personal and sick days, and health and dental coverage.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Demonstrated commitment to social justice work.
Ability to manage an individual caseload, building-wide organizing, and campaign work.
Good writing and research skills.
Familiarity with housing issues.
Ability to visit tenant buildings and door-knock, including climbing stairs, and attend outdoor events as needed.

Nice To Haves

Organizing experience, preferably in tenants’ rights.
Fluency in spoken and written Spanish, French, or Mandarin.

Responsibilities

Organize SRO and apartment tenants on Manhattan’s west side, including Harlem.
Assist and advocate for tenants with housing problems and negotiate with landlords.
Mobilize tenants for demonstrations, rallies, and forums.
Advocate for low-income tenants with governmental agencies and other entities.
Assist in developing organizing strategy.
Support tenants with social work issues that hinder their ability to maintain housing.
Organize tenants at the building level through outreach, know-your-rights trainings, and facilitated meetings to address issues with landlords.
Take leadership roles with tenant members in citywide campaigns related to affordable housing preservation and production, enforcement of building condition codes, rent increases, and other affordable housing issues.
Support court cases by preparing reports, testifying, assisting with tenant representation, providing translation where appropriate, and helping tenants file pro se actions concerning poor building conditions.
Testify before legislative bodies, conduct outreach to community leaders and elected officials, and participate in housing policy reform efforts.
Complete administrative tasks, including reporting on organizing efforts and results and maintaining records of intake and case disposition, inspections, meetings, and personnel matters.