ROC-DC Policy and Research Coordinator

Founded in New York City in the wake of September 11th, 2001, the Restaurant Opportunities Center (ROC) has grown into a national organization with 10,000 low-wage restaurant worker members in cities across the country. ROC-United now has affiliate organizations in ten cities, and members in over a dozen more.

Over the last ten years, we have won more than ten workplace justice campaigns, winning more than $5 million in misappropriated tips and wages and discrimination payments for low-wage workers, and significant policy changes in high-profile fine dining restaurant companies covering thousands of workers. We have partnered with close to 100 responsible restaurant owners to promote the 'high road' to profitability, and trained more than 2,500 restaurant workers to advance into livable wage jobs within the industry. We have also published eighteen ground-breaking reports on the restaurant industry, obtaining significant media coverage, played an instrumental role in winning a statewide minimum wage increase for tipped workers, and initiated other policy campaigns at the local, state, and federal level. Since January 2008 we have launched affiliates in Houston, New Orleans, Miami, Michigan, Chicago, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Washington, DC, and the Bay Area. In each region, we conduct workplace justice campaigns, partner with 'high road' restaurants, run workforce development programs, and collaborate with local academics and other allies to produce comprehensive participatory research and policy initiatives. Nationally, we organize national convening of restaurant workers, Congressional briefings, public forums, and more.

ROC-DC started in the fall of 2009, and has now over 500 worker members and is currently involved in restaurant worker organizing campaign and earned sick days policy campaign.

Responsibilities include:

• Facilitate worker-led policy campaigns including: establishing timelines, building a coalition, strategic mapping, and trainings to educate members on how to become advocates and leaders;
• Drive local policy campaigns and support federal policy campaigns on minimum wage and paid sick days;
• Mobilize restaurant workers from diverse ethnic communities and allies to support local and national policy campaigns;
• Organize & mobilize a worker-led research and policy committee to lead policy campaigns;
• In coordination with the High-Road Coordinator, spotlight and mobilize high-road employers to support policy campaigns;
• Coordinate visits with local and federal legislators in support of ROC's policy priorities;
• Increase membership of impacted restaurant workers through extensive outreach and recruitment;
• Participate in developing a regular schedule of outreach to build membership;
• Develop leadership and political consciousness amongst restaurant workers through trainings, relationship building, and shared experiences; implement political education curriculum;
• Assist with administrative duties and managing growth of the local affiliate's membership;
• Carry out participatory research projects and plan report release events;
• Represent ROC to partners and allies; build coalitions; develop relationships with local legal aid, labor rights, immigrant rights and community organizations within the context of policy campaigns;
• Other responsibilities as needed.

Qualifications:

• Experience in community or social movement organizing with a demonstrated capacity to mobilize a racially diverse group of workers/community members/ and other stake-holders
  • Passionate commitment to community/multi-racial organizing and social, economic and racial justice
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to work independently and manage own projects
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong understanding of local DC politics
• Goal-orientated in their work and has personal and professional vision for change
• Must have a flexible schedule to accommodate some weekend and evening hours
• Restaurant experience a plus
• Language skills other than English a plus
• Bachelor's or higher degree a plus (not mandatory)

The R & P Coordinator will report to the National Policy Coordinator, the National Research Coordinator, and other ROC United staff as needed.

ROC United offers competitive salary and generous benefits package.Women, LGBTQ, and People of Color are strongly encouraged to apply.