Community Organizer on Equitable Development (Full-time)

JOB SUMMARY: ASE is seeking to hire an additional Community Organizer to help expand our Coalition for a South Works CBA, and work with residents to win Community Benefits Agreements (a.k.a. CBAs- written agreements between developers and the community). The Community Organizer will help coordinate Coalition efforts to ensure community benefits for the South Works Quantum campus on Chicago’s southeast side, work on CBAs for local developments- including South Works, and anti-displacement policies to prevent the displacement of long-time residents. Residents have prioritized jobs and training, environmental sustainability and protections, affordable housing, green infrastructure, and quality of life for developments.

The South Works development is already underway. Coalition members are working to ensure the remediation (cleaning up) of the site is completed in a healthy way with limited environmental impacts in the community. We are working to ensure Coalition priorities are met for the site, including job, training, and education pipelines, affordable housing for current local residents, and anti-displacement policies.

ASE unites diverse communities on Chicago’s southeast side, majority African American and Latino, to have a voice in the community on social justice issues, including equitable development. The Community Organizer would be part of a team working on equitable development, environmental justice, and ensuring the community is part of the decision-making process in local developments.

There have been 17 developments in the last 6 years on the southeast side. The Community Organizer will help coordinate the Coalition for a South Works CBA to make sure southeast side developments benefit local residents, and work with ASE team members who are working with Coalition members to combat environmental racism, and the concentration of toxic developments on the southeast side. ASE is working on a CBA and anti-displacement policies for the South Works development, won a victory with the City's denial of the General Iron permit (company with a history of air pollution violations), and is now working on environmental justice policies at city, state, and federal levels, led by community residents.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform outreach to organizations (schools, churches, non-profits, block clubs) and networks to expand Coalition
• Coordinate meetings with residents, stakeholders, and decision-makers (inc. developers and public officials)
• Discuss local issues regarding equitable developments with community members
• Strategize with community residents, local organizations, and fellow ASE campaign staff
• Coordinate with partners to support and ensure resident-identified priorities are met for developments
• Work with community residents on racial equity issues, as they arise and as capacity allows.
• Other tasks and duties reasonably related to the job responsibilities
• Prepare written reports, meeting summaries, related written materials as they pertain to the work

REQUIREMENTS:

• HS Diploma. Bachelor’s degree preferred but not required.
• Previous experience in community/union organizing or working on community issues, desirable
• Good interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to build relationships with and engage a variety of community members, community groups, and potential allies.
• Ability to work independently and as a team.
• Willingness to perform outreach, both to individuals and to groups, and speak in front of groups.
• Share our commitment to social, racial, and economic justice, and increasing community leadership and involvement in local issues
• Experience working with diverse populations, especially African Americans and Latinos.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and organizational skills.
• Bilingual (English/ Spanish) desirable.
• A flexible schedule and ability to work some evening and weekend hours, when needed. Ability to work in a hybrid work environment, coming to the office 2-3 times/week to meet with residents, partners, and staff.
• Cell phone and automobile (with valid U.S. driver’s license and auto insurance)
• Basic computer fluency. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite

Position is hybrid and available immediately.

Salary and benefits: Full-time position with salary, commensurate with experience. Health benefits, vacation & paid time off (32 days/ year), paid travel reimbursement.

How to apply: Please submit cover letter, resume, and list of three references to Amalia, at amalia@asechicago.org, with "Community Organizer" in the subject line of the email.

Alliance of the SouthEast (ASE) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, age, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other factor not specifically related to the ability to perform the job at hand.

Health benefits, vacation & paid time offi policy (32 days/year), paid travel reimbursement

Spanish and/ or French language skills a plus