Environmental Justice Community Organizer/Teaching Artist

THE POINT CDC is dedicated to empowering youth through leadership training focused on environmental justice and the arts in the Hunts Point section of the South Bronx. Since 1994, THE POINT offers a multi-faceted approach to asset-based community development. Its programming falls within four main headings aimed at the comprehensive revitalization of the Hunts Point community: Youth Empowerment, Environmental Justice, Arts and Culture, and Community Development.

Position Overview

THE POINT CDC is seeking a dynamic and passionate Teaching Artist/Community Organizer to design, teach, and facilitate an environmental justice class for teenagers. This program will merge the principles of community organizing with arts-based activism, empowering youth to address environmental justice issues through creative expression and advocacy. The role also involves leading and supporting ongoing environmental justice campaigns, collaborating with other departments, and external organizations, and engaging in some evening and weekend work as needed.

Key Responsibilities

Lead Responsibilities:

• Curriculum Development:
  • Design an engaging, hands-on curriculum for teenagers that integrates arts (e.g., visual arts, screen printing, mural-making, etc.) with environmental justice education and community organizing strategies.
  • Incorporate local environmental justice issues, historical context, and advocacy tools into the curriculum.
  • Plan and lead workshops, discussions, and art-making sessions that foster critical thinking and creative problem-solving around environmental justice.
• Teaching & Facilitation:
  • Teach weekly classes, ensuring participants develop both artistic skills and organizing capacities.
  • Facilitate group projects where students use the arts as a vehicle for environmental justice campaigns or community actions.
  • Conduct classes during evenings or weekends as needed to accommodate students and community events.
• Program Management:
  • Manage class logistics, including schedules, materials, guest speakers, and field trips.
  • Oversee the development and execution of a culminating public event or campaign where students showcase their projects and advocate for environmental justice issues in the community.
• Community Organizing Campaign Leadership:
  • Campaign Strategy & Leadership:
    • Lead community organizing campaigns that align with the organization’s environmental justice goals, including identifying key issues, mobilizing community members, and planning actions or advocacy strategies.
    • Collaborate with the environmental justice team to ensure campaigns meet the community's needs and align with long-term organizational goals.
  • Connecting Program & Campaigns:
    • Ensure the program aligns with broader organizational campaigns, incorporating these into the curriculum to give students real-world organizing experience.
    • Facilitate opportunities for students to participate in ongoing campaigns, attend rallies, create art for public displays, or advocate in community spaces.
  • Collaboration & Partnerships:
    • Build relationships with local artists, environmental leaders, and activists to bring diverse perspectives into the classroom.
    • Collaborate with other departments within the organization to integrate efforts, share resources, and ensure that student projects amplify broader organizational goals.
    • Develop partnerships with community organizations, schools, and advocacy groups to expand student opportunities and involve the community in program outcomes.
• Supporting Responsibilities:
  • Community Campaign Support:
    • Support existing environmental justice and community development campaigns by incorporating them into classroom activities and organizing student involvement.
    • Collaborate across departments to enhance inter-program coordination, aligning the class with other organizational initiatives and campaigns.
  • Documentation & Evaluation:
    • Document the integration of youth work into larger community organizing efforts.
    • Work with the evaluation team to assess both the impact of the program on participants and the influence of youth work on broader campaigns.

Qualifications

Experience in Teaching & Arts Education:

• At least 2 years of experience teaching in community-based settings, especially with youth and/or marginalized communities.
• Proficiency in visual arts or other relevant creative disciplines.

Community Organizing/Environmental Justice Experience:

• At least 2 years of experience in grassroots organizing, particularly around environmental or social justice issues.
• Proven leadership in organizing successful community-based campaigns.
• Knowledge of environmental justice principles and campaigns, especially as they relate to local or regional issues.

Skills & Attributes:

• Strong facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire teenagers and community members.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including other departments and external partners.
• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends when needed for classes, events, or campaigns.
• Excellent organizational skills for managing program logistics and coordination across multiple teams.

Physical Requirements:

Must have the ability to complete all standard administrative and support tasks including but not limited to climbing up and down stairs, operation of computers/phones/fax/printer/copy machine, and the ability to lift boxes, furniture, and equipment up to 30lbs.

Willing to travel, work on remote teams while onsite performing project-driven initiatives (travel throughout the New York State Tri-State Area and across the United States)

Candidates will be required to go through pre-employment pre-screening check and undergo a criminal background check.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

THE POINT CDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is clear: there shall be no discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender identity, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, or sexual orientation.

We are an inclusive organization and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome all applications from a wide range of candidates. Selection for roles will be based on individual merit alone.”