Lead Organizer

Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ) builds the power of immigrant and working class communities to achieve dignity and respect through community organizing, the provision of high quality legal and support services, transformative education and policy innovation. MRNJ is a project of Make the Road States. Founded in 2014, MRNJ operates centers and organizing hubs in Elizabeth, Passaic, Perth Amboy and Newark, NJ that reach thousands of immigrant and working class people of color each year. Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above-- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation.  In the past four years, MRNJ has won more than 10 pro-immigrant and pro-worker policies, including the nation’s first guaranteed severance law, landmark anti-wage theft legislation, occupational and drivers’ license for undocumented immigrants and a $15 minimum wage. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services including ESOL, legal services in the areas of immigration and workplace rights, workplace safety training and college access.

Position Opening

Make the Road New Jersey seeks a lead organizer to provide supervision and campaign leadership to our team of community organizers in at least one of the following areas: immigration, housing or youth justice. This role reports to the Organizing Director.  The role will require in person work in one of our offices in Elizabeth, Passaic and/or Perth Amboy.

The position would be ideal for an energetic, flexible and experienced organizer with a commitment to social justice and community organizing. The candidate will work with MRNJ’s team of six community organizers to strengthen the power and capacity of our base, develop the leadership of our members, and advance city, state and federal campaigns around one or more of the following campaign priorities: immigration, housing justice, education, police accountability and community safety. Additionally, the lead organizer will represent Make the Road New Jersey at coalition partner tables and help lead campaigns and coalitions.  

We are looking for a creative thinker with outstanding management skills who has the ability to develop specific project goals, implement new strategies and use social media communications to advance our campaigns. This is an excellent opportunity to

Responsibilities of the Lead Organizer include, but are not limited to

• Direct and support the development of campaigns designed to mobilize community members around issues of housing justice, including local and state campaigns for green housing, building decarbonization and Inflation Reduction Act implementation through action research, coordinating campaign events, alliance work, and electoral organizing
• Co-design and co-organize leadership development opportunities for members 
• Provide supervision, support and leadership development opportunities for some of MRNJ’s community organizers
• Build and hold organizing relationships with key partners, allies and elected leaders while representing MRNJ at key coalition partner tables
• Help develop shared goals with the organizing team and create support structures to help the team meet those goals. Track and report on those goals.
• Support the implementation and recruitment efforts to grow our membership based throughout the state. 
• Provide support and participation for organization-wide and national campaigns, civic engagement initiatives and other events

Qualifications:

• Must be eligible to work in the US; 
• Spanish/English fluency;
• Must be fully vaccinated with an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior to first day
• Have 5 years demonstrated experience working in community organizing;
• Must be open to working some evenings and weekends
• Required travel across all our community centers and statewide, with some travel to Washington, DC and other geographies in the United States.
• Must have a commitment to social justice and building leadership of immigrant and working class people of color; 
• Must have passion/knowledge in at least one of the follow areas: immigration, housing, police accountability or education justice issues, 
• Must have experience working on organizing campaigns, 
• Valid drivers license;
• Demonstrated strong research, writing, policy analysis and communication skills, 
• Experience in curriculum development for social justice/movement organizations. 

How to Apply:

Submit resumes and cover letters at the Make the Road New Jersey Career Center.

Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.