Job Title: Community Organizer

Supervisor: Executive Director

Hours: 40 hrs/week (1.0 FTE)

Salary: $37,000 annually

Benefits: Eligible for paid medical and dental care; vacation and sick leave following three-month (90 day) probation period. Additional benefits as defined by the personnel policies.

The Tenants Union is a grassroots membership organization dedicated to decent and affordable housing for everyone. Our goals are to help all tenants, especially low income tenants, solve their rental housing problems by learning and asserting their rights as tenants; organize within their buildings and neighborhoods to maintain and preserve decent and affordable rental housing; and mobilize for stronger tenant protections and greater accountability of the institutions affecting their homes.

Job Summary: As the primary connection between the public and the organization, the role of the Community Organizer demands a high level of professionalism, charisma, and dedication. Community Organizers oversee the proper implementation of one (1) TU campaign and supervise all organizers in the implementation of their campaigns.Additionally, Community Organizers will work alongside the Executive Director in keeping the TU staff abreast of all current happenings in housing and landlord-tenant laws.

Community Organizing and Education (70%)

Provide empowering and compassionate tenants’ rights counseling 5-8 hours per week as part of the Tenants Union’s Education Program.
Give public presentations on housing policy issues and tenants’ rights to a broad variety of audiences, including low-income tenants, elected officials, and community organizations.
Design and implement organizing campaigns
In collaboration with organizing staff, make strategic organizing campaign plans to further social change goals; support organizing campaigns as needed; take a public role in holding institutions and individuals accountable for unjust housing policies or practices; and participate as a leader in direct action to support campaign goals.

Public Relations and Communications (20%)

Generate positive media exposure of organizational initiatives and campaigns through press releases, organizing press events, editorial board meetings, pitching stories to reporters and editors, and developing and maintaining strong relationships with individual reporters.
Represent the organization in print, radio, television, and alternative media, using effective key messages.
Cultivate and edit articles for quarterly newsletter.
Post relevant items on website and various social media platforms.

Policy and Advocacy (10%)

Assist Executive Director in mobilizing staff, Board, and members into advocacy efforts, including preparing, coordinating and presenting legislative testimony at the municipal, county and state levels.

Minimum Qualifications:

Three (3) or more years’ experience community organizing (volunteer or paid).
Knowledge of social movements and their progression, forms of collective action, and strong communication skills
Passion for social, racial, and economic justice.
Experience working with the media, public officials, and conducting workshops and trainings
Demonstrated ability to work well with diverse groups of people and willingness to challenge oneself and others to undo racism, homophobia, xenophobia (fear or hatred of immigrants) and other forms of oppression.
Willingness to work flexible hours including some evenings and weekends

Desired Qualifications:

Knowledge of housing issues and/or landlord-tenant law.
Personal experience with poverty and/or low-income housing
Legislative advocacy skills and experience.
Proficiency in Spanish, Vietnamese, Russian or other relevant second language.
Experience in Salesforce or related databases, Microsoft Word, Excel, or Publisher

How to apply

To apply, submit a resume, cover letter via e-mail to info@tenantsunion.org, or mail to Tenants Union, Community Organizer & Tenant Counselor Search, 5425 B Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98118.

The Tenants Union is an equal opportunity employer, working toward a culturally diverse workplace.