Worker Center Organizer

Worker Center Organizer

Job Announcement

Arise Chicago seeks a full-time Spanish/English bilingual Organizer for its WorkerCenter to organize low-wage and immigrant workers to defend their workplace rights and take action on the job. The Organizer works closely with the Member Organizer to develop worker member leadership. The Organizer also works closely with the Strategic Campaigns Organizer to identify and support broader-based organizing campaigns. He/She is directly supervised by the Worker Center Program Director and is an integral staff person in carrying out Arise Chicago's mission.

Candidate should have: minimum of 2 years of union or community organizing experience; comfort in negotiations; familiarity with popular education and leadership development practices; skill in working with diverse religious communities; excellent interpersonal skills; full English and Spanish oral and written fluency; and basic computer skills, Bachelor degree and familiarity with employment laws a plus.

Arise Chicago provides excellent benefits and a very collaborative working environment. Salary commensurate with experience. Candidate must send both resume and cover letter in English and Spanish to jobs@arisechicago.org by May 6th, 2013. No phone calls please.

Arise Chicago is an equal-opportunity employer. Women, immigrants, and people of color are especially encouraged to apply.

Arise Chicago partners with faith communities and workers to fight workplace injustice through education, organizing, and advocacy for public policy changes. The Arise Chicago Worker Center is a member-based community resource for workers, both immigrant and native born, to learn about their rights and to organize fellow workers to improve workplace conditions.

Worker Center Organizer

Job Description

Responsibilities

Organize Workplace Justice Campaigns (85%)

• Manage Worker Center hotline: respond to worker inquiries and document calls
• Greet "walk-in" workers who arrive in person to the Worker Center
• Instruct all new worker contacts on initial campaign requirements, beginning with workshop attendance and membership sign-up
• Inform the Member Organizer of all contacts since last workshop
• Conduct intakes with worker members and document ongoing campaign progress
• Teach worker members how to collect evidence of workplace exploitation, gather information about their employer target, and gain co-worker support
• With workers, develop campaign strategies and communicate risks to members
• With workers, plan and coordinate direct actions including community delegations, public protests, press conferences, and employer negotiations
• Communicate with community and religious allies, government agency representatives, attorneys, and union partners
• Refer members to attorney partners on the Legal Advisory Board and follow up with case developments
• Assist members to complete and file complaints with government agencies and maintain communication on case developments
• Train interns to support workplace justice campaigns
• Participate in weekly staff meetings to select, plan, and evaluate workplace justice campaigns
• Maintain and keep current records of worker members in database
• Assess workplace justice campaigns to identify organizing opportunities and refer members to the Strategic Campaigns Organizer
• Provide support to the Strategic Campaigns organizer

Support Member Organizer to Develop Member Leadership (5%)

• Work closely with the Member Organizer to train worker members in organizing and communication skills and link to other educational opportunities
• In conjunction with the Member Organizer, refer members for the Member, Domestic Worker, and Carwashero Organizing Committees and Board of Directors
• Assist Member Organizer to mobilize members for organizational events, meet with funders, speak to the media, attend coalition meetings, volunteer at the office, and otherwise become more involved in the organization
• Facilitate worker member consciousness and foster analysis of individual workplace exploitation in relation to broader social issues and systemic inequality

Participate in other Arise Chicago Activities as needed (10%)

• Provide support for Arise Chicago's broader campaigns including: union solidarity campaigns, immigrant rights campaigns, and public policy campaigns
• Contribute to Arise Chicago's overall strategy and organizational development
• Support fundraising, communications, and other administrative tasks

Qualifications

• B.A. degree preferred
• Full Spanish and English oral and written fluency is required. Please do not apply if you are not fully bilingual
• 2 years of community or union organizing experience
• Comfort and skill in disputes, in negotiations, and ability to manage risks
• Familiarity and comfort with popular education and leadership development practices
• Strong respect for and comfort working with diverse religious communities
• Collaborative working spirit and strong interpersonal skills
• Commitment to social justice and the empowerment of low-income populations
• Familiarity with state and federal employment law a plus
• Basic computer skills

Benefits

This is a full-time position with good pay and excellent health benefits options.