Organizing Intern

Deadline: January 10, 2024 at 8:00 p.m.

Organizing Intern

The rising cost of living and the lack of available quality affordable homes is one of the most important issues of our time. Do you want to take that first step toward a career where you can make a difference? Would you like to join a diverse and mission-oriented team to see what it takes to make San Mateo County a more affordable place to live? HLC is looking for an Organizing Intern who wants to learn how they can become an effective advocate for affordable homes. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

Position Overview

The primary role of HLC’s Organizing Intern will be to aid the Senior Organizer in their efforts to work with communities and their leaders to produce and preserve quality affordable homes.

The Organizing Intern will provide assistance in outreach and base-building on specific housing policies and proposals. In addition, the Organizing Intern will be asked to attend, participate in and report back on our various local and regional partners’ general and committee meetings, as well as report back on potential affordable housing developments.

If you are passionate about affordable housing, but don’t know where to begin, then this position will provide you with an overview of how they're built - how city policy intersects with affordable housing development. You will also get an idea of how a mission-driven advocacy organization promotes, organizes, and builds a base of supporters on housing policies and proposals. This is your opportunity to meet decision-makers, brush up on your public speaking skills, and gain valuable insight into housing advocacy!

Previous experience in housing advocacy is not required. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those looking to start their careers in housing or advocacy.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Endorsements
  • Draft and send meeting reminders
  • Assist with community outreach and digital/in-person organizing campaigns on endorsed proposals
• Policy Committee
  • Send meeting reminders and agenda to committee members
  • Take notes and keep track of minutes at meetings
• Additional Meetings
  • Attend and take notes at local and regional coalition meetings
• Administrative and Basic Duties
  • Participate in monthly Program Team and weekly staff meetings and supervisor check-ins, gaining insight into non-profit operations and collaborative team efforts
  • Administrative assistance where needed
  • Maintain own timesheet and submit semi-monthly to supervisor

Potential Duties as Time and Interest Allow

• Provide either written or public comment in support of endorsed housing policies and proposals
• Write short articles for HLC’s semi-monthly newsletter
• Under the direction of Supervisor: create, plan, perform outreach, and present at a “How to Advocate for Affordable Housing” event

Desired Qualifications

• Previous experience in housing advocacy is not required. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including those looking to start their career in housing or advocacy.
• A desire to learn about affordable housing and housing policy
• Proficiency with Google Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms)
• Well-organized
• Good writing skills
• Some volunteer or work exposure to community service is a plus
• Fondness for dogs is a MAJOR plus!

Title: Organizing Intern

Status: Temporary, part-time

Time Commitment: The internship will run from February 3, 2025, to April 30, 2025

Work schedule: Hybrid

Reports to: Senior Organizer

Salary and Benefits

• $20.00/hour, 10-15 hours a week

How to Apply

Send an email to kchan@hlcsmc.org with the subject line “Organizing Intern Application - [your first and last name]” with the following documents:

• Cover letter
• Resume

About Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo County (HLC)

HLC is a membership organization that works with communities and their leaders to produce and preserve quality affordable homes. HLC supports its members as they work to create and preserve enough well-designed, sensibly located housing at all levels so that everyone who works here, lives here, or grows up here can obtain a suitable home. HLC and its membership coalition:

• Advocate for housing policies that create affordability at all income levels
• Collaborate with local government, community members, and stakeholders to promote "complete communities"
• Educate through community-wide events such as San Mateo County Affordable Housing Week and Housing Leadership Day
• Develop and empower community members to speak up for housing opportunities for everyone in their communities.

Equal Opportunity

Housing Leadership Council is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, compensation, termination, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.