Senior Housing Organizer

Background:

Founded in January 2018, the Chicago Housing Justice Coalition (CHJC) is a city-wide collaborative of over 35 housing and community organizations, currently spearheading the campaign for a“Just Cause for Eviction” ordinance. CHJC seeks to establish housing as a human right by pursuing racial justice in housing; expanding the supply, quality, and accessibility of affordable housing; and promoting policies and programs that stabilize neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for all Chicagoans, and especially for renters and the unhoused. The Coalition is at a critical point with nearly half of the City Council co-sponsoring Just Cause, making passing this policy the primary responsibility for CHJC organizers.

Job Description:

CHJC seeks a passionate,experienced, and motivated base-building community organizer to help fulfill our mission, build the coalition’s capacity, create an equitable leadership structure, and sustain the programmatic work of its campaigns.

This position is full-time position with benefits for a 6 months preliminary period, with the possibility of renewal determined by discussion with the CHJC Steering Committee, and as funding allows.The position is grant-funded for at least one year and open to renewal as we secure further funding. This position works and supervises the Coalition's other part-time co-organizer(s).

Job Duties

Advocacy

● Develop, plan, and facilitate regular meetings, public political education events, workshops on housing justice, and other activities of the Coalition.

● Mobilize city residents and coalition members to advocate for passage of Just Cause

● Coordinate with City Council and the Mayor's office to advocate and strategize for passage of Just Cause ordinance.

● Devise and execute strategies to ensure those most impacted by housing marginalization are best incorporated into the advocacy work of the Coalition.

● Grow coalition membership through outreach to community-based and grassroots organizations, especially those from or working in Black/African American neighborhoods.

● This position reports directly to the CHJC Steering Committee

Administrative

● Coordinate and ensure the taking of notes, draft and send meeting and event invitations/reminders, and follow-up from meetings

● Create content for and maintain online accounts, social media, and web presence.

● Communicate information and updates with Coalition members and supporters.

● Write and submit grant proposals for further funding.

● Facilitate meetings with CHJC Steering Committee

● Maintain consistent communication and with coalition partners to retain support, provide updates, and nurture collaborative relationships

● Supervise part-time organizer(s) of the CHJC

● Approve reimbursements and ensure financial responsibilities are met with the CHJC fiscal agent such as (but not limited to) receipts, invoices, etc

● Maintain shared drive folder of CHJC materials

Qualifications

Required: Prior experience with social/racial justice organizing or advocacy, specifically with base building strategy; experience at minimum of five years supervising others; excellent oral and written communication skills; experience in project, program or campaign management; commitment to social and economic justice and/or lived experience with housing instability

Preferred: Experience overseeing and creating content for social media; fluency in Spanish; ability to cultivate and nurture internal and external public relationships that are accountable, reciprocal, and transparent; experience working with elected officials and policymakers. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that can include evenings and weekends.

SALARY: $66,000 per year salary exempt from overtime. Health care premiums covered.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: To be filled as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

EEO Statement

Housing justice is gender justice is health justice is racial justice. CHJC is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. People of color, women, LGBTQIA+ identifying individuals, and those with lived experience relevant to our work are strongly encouraged to apply