Drug Policy Campaigns Coordinator

About VOCAL-NY

Founded in 1999, Voices of Community Activists & Leaders (VOCAL-NY) is a statewide grassroots membership organization that builds power among low-income people affected by HIV/AIDS, the drug war, mass incarceration, and homelessness to create healthy and just communities. We accomplish this through community organizing, leadership development, advocacy, direct services, participatory research, and direct action.

At VOCAL-NY we fight for systemic change rooted in justice, compassion, and love. We approach this work with a firm belief in reducing harm and ending stigma and the knowledge that the issues impacting our communities are driven by institutional oppression, not personal failings. Our campaigns and services have saved or improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers across the state.

Position Description

VOCAL-NY is seeking an experienced and strategic organizer to serve as our Drug Policy Campaigns Coordinator. This position plays a key role in advancing VOCAL-NY’s efforts to promote drug user health, fight criminalization, and win bold drug policy reforms at the city and state levels. The Coordinator will report to the Director of Drug Policy and work closely with VOCAL-NY’s User Union—a powerful base of leaders directly impacted by drug use and the war on drugs.

While this role is posted as a Coordinator position, we are open to hiring a more experienced candidate at a Manager level—with a higher salary and expanded responsibilities—depending on qualifications.

The Coordinator will be responsible for building grassroots power, supporting campaign strategy, and helping lead efforts to win policy change that centers harm reduction, health, and dignity. This includes organizing direct actions and public events, supporting advocacy at City Hall and in Albany, shaping media narratives, coordinating coalitions, and testifying at public hearings.

Recent and ongoing campaigns include:

• Fighting for Overdose Prevention Centers in New York City and beyond
• Launching NYC’s methadone delivery system
• Advancing the decriminalization and expansion of syringe access
• Removing barriers to life-saving treatment and care
• Mandating access to evidence-based treatment in prisons and jails
• Resisting efforts to further criminalize drug use and possession

Job Responsibilities

• Support Strategic Campaigns: Win concrete policy change on the state and local levels. Help plan and implement campaign strategies and tactics. Carry out activities related to campaign strategy, project plans and support grassroots political relationships with elected officials and community leaders.
• Leadership and membership development: Support the development of people directly impacted by our core issues to become strong members and leaders of VOCAL-NY and our campaigns. Support the execution & facilitation of effective monthly membership meetings and bi-monthly leadership meetings. Facilitate political education and skills based-trainings for leadership development.
• Campaign Materials: Research, write and edit campaign materials – this includes but is not limited to legislative & issue summaries, public education documents, research reports, organizational talking points, hearing testimony, and other written materials as needed.
• Coalition Work: Represent the organization in existing coalitions. Build relationships with new coalitions and key allies.
• Press and communications: Support powerful communications work by developing talking points and prepping VOCAL-NY members to speak to the press. Draft media advisories, press releases, and press statements. Work with VOCAL-NY members to write op-eds.
• Support other campaigns: The position will be expected to periodically provide support for any and all community organizing and campaign work within VOCAL-NY. We have a highly collaborative office environment where staff members provide support for each other’s campaigns as needed.

Job Requirements

The ideal candidate is an energetic, self-motivated individual with strong interpersonal, public speaking, writing, and strategic problem-solving skills. Candidates must demonstrate a clear commitment to harm reduction and drug policy reform, and be grounded in a racial justice analysis. People directly impacted by the war on drugs are strongly encouraged to apply.

We’re looking for someone who brings:

• A deep commitment to working with—and supporting the leadership of—people directly impacted by the war on drugs.
• At least 3 years of full-time experience in campaign work, community organizing, or a related field.
• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience based on lived expertise or work history.
• Familiarity with the New York City and State political and institutional landscape, including key players, policies, and power dynamics—and an understanding of the need for systemic reform.
• A demonstrated ability to think strategically and collaboratively, and contribute to the development of winning campaigns.
• The ability to take initiative and drive one’s own work, while also collaborating effectively within a team.
• Openness to receiving, processing, and incorporating constructive feedback with professionalism.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities.
• A desire to grow professionally and a commitment to ongoing learning.
• Strong facilitation skills, including experience running meetings, building agendas, coordinating coalitions, and cultivating partnerships across diverse communities.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, including the ability to prioritize and manage multiple urgent projects.
• Proficiency with standard business software (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Gmail) and a willingness to learn new tools.

It requires occasional evening and weekend work, and periodic travel to Albany and other locations outside of NYC - including early morning departures and overnight trips.

This position reports to the Director of Drug Policy.