Canvasser

Riders Alliance fights for affordable and world-class public transit in order to build a more just and sustainable New York. We organize subway and bus riders to build grassroots power across racial, economic, and neighborhood lines: holding our elected officials accountable, engaging the public, and taking direct action to guarantee that riders have a powerful voice in the decisions that affect us.

We are embarking on a major summer organizing campaign to expand our membership and grow the political power of outer-borough transit riders in New York City. We’re hiring a team of passionate and talented canvassers to talk to riders about their most pressing needs and help us recruit new leaders.

As a Part-Time Canvasser, you will work closely with our dynamic organizing team to engage community members in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. You’ll have the opportunity to build a wide range of organizing skills, learn about the most pressing transit advocacy issues, and get an insider view into how we build winning grassroots campaigns. Canvassers will work up to 20 hours per week from mid-June to end of August, earning an hourly rate of $25, as well as transit reimbursement.

You will be responsible for:

• Canvass bus and subway riders at transit hubs in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, talking to people about their issues and recruiting riders to join Riders Alliance
• Collecting data from riders in the field about the challenges they face, and carefully recording data after canvassing shifts, including insights on member engagement and outreach
• Engaging in regular phone banking and text banking to speak with public transit riders about their most pressing transit issues and/or encourage riders to participate in community events and actions
• Tabling at community events and/or supporting other community outreach activities with partners, elected officials, community boards, business leaders, or other advocates
• Bringing insights from the field into ongoing organizing efforts, whether it be related to talking points, locations, or potential leaders

Required qualifications:

• Excellent people and communication skills
• Interest in learning about social justice, transportation policy, community organizing practices, and the nonprofit sector
• Ability to work effectively with people of different cultures and backgrounds
• Self-motivated and able to work efficiently to complete tasks
• Flexible schedule, with availability to work some evenings and weekends, and willingness to travel to neighborhoods in all boroughs of New York City.
• Familiarity with communities in Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx and/or lived experience as a Brooklyn, Queens, or Bronx transit rider

• Paid time off
• Transit reimbursement