job: director

[colist-admin at comm-org.utoledo.edu]

[ed:  this job post includes salary info.]

From:           	Spatzms at aol.com

I would appreciate it if you could post this to the co-list.  Our deadline for receiving applications for this position is March 15.  Thank you,
Melissa Spatz
Co-Executive Director
Blocks Together

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Blocks Together, an award-winning, direct action nonprofit community organization, is seeking an Executive Director to work with a dedicated team of experienced organizers and community leaders.

Blocks Together is dedicated to developing grassroots leadership and empowering residents to win improvements for their neighborhood while challenging the structures that create inequities in communities of immigrants and people of color.  We believe that by working together, residents can 
improve the social, economic and physical conditions of their community. 

The overall goals of the organization are to:
o   Increase the community's capacity to take action to address important issues & create accountable relationships with institutions and elected officials.
o   Challenge members to develop skills to advocate for their community and themselves.
o   Address root causes of poverty and inequality in the community.
o   Create neighborhood stability by ensuring that needed resources are invested in the community.
o   Work towards linking community issues to larger issues of social justice through ongoing campaigns and organizational vision dialogues.
o   Be inclusive of all people regardless of class, race, age, ethnicity, gender, disability, religion, or sexual orientation.

For the past 10 years, Blocks Together has worked in the communities of West Humboldt Park and North Garfield Park on Chicago’s west side.  The total population of the area is 65,836.  Within this population, 48% are Latino, 47% African-American, and 3% Anglo.  
     
Through the efforts of thousands of dedicated youth and adult leaders, Blocks Together has forced public officials to be accountable to low-income residents in a variety of areas including the public schools, public capital spending, police accountability, affordable housing and health care.  In 
addition, we emphasize the development of a strong leadership base of low-income women of color through our Women’s Committee, and youth between the ages of 11 and 18 through our Youth Council.

Responsibilities will include:
o   Collaborating with and reporting to a diverse, bilingual board of directors made up of adult and youth residents who lead Blocks Together 
o   Managing and growing a $450,000 annual budget
o   Developing organizational and committee budgets, tracking and accounting for all financial activity, preparing financial reports and working to prepare an annual audit
o   Working in partnership and providing development opportunities for a team of five experienced, full-time community organizers
o   Hiring and training new community organizers
o   Working with the board, staff and leaders to ensure that Blocks Together is meeting its mission and goals, and that the organization’s work and decision-making process are community-controlled
o   Working collectively with staff and leaders to ensure that Blocks Together continues to grow both through its organizing efforts, and through ongoing strategic planning and vision dialogues that challenge the organization around issues including racial justice, class and gender
o   Working collectively with staff and leaders to continue leadership trainings on issues including power, self interest, identity, ethnicity and race, and youth empowerment
o   Reaching out to individuals, institutions and organizations in the community 
o   Working collaboratively with other community organizations from Chicago, and from around the country

Additional Qualifications:
Any candidate should be passionate about building a direct-action organization that is led by youth and adult leaders and is committed to social justice.  

Any candidate should meet the following qualifications:
o   At least 4 years of community organizing experience
o   Spanish/English fluency—both written and oral
o   Experience working as a team and sharing decision-making with community leaders and staff.
o   An understanding of and track record in working to affect public policy and long-term change through community organizing
o   Excellent oral and written communication skills
o   A proven track record in fundraising—both from foundations and through local fundraising efforts
o   A commitment to youth leadership in community organizing.
o   Dedication to and experience working with low-income communities of color
o   Experience supervising and training new staff
o   Administrative experience
o   Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and some weekends
o   A reliable car

Salary & benefits:
Salary is between $40,000 and $45,000, depending on experience.  Excellent benefits, including health, dental and pension.

How to apply:
Completed applications, which  should include a resume, a sample of written work (preferably a funded grant proposal—please include no more than 10 pages), and at least 3 references should be mailed and/or emailed to us at:

Claire Marcy & Melissa Spatz
Blocks Together
3914 W. North Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60647
Email:  BTogether at aol.com

Applications will be accepted until March 15th.  We will notify applicants as to the status of their applications.  Any questions about the application process or position should be posed via email.

Applications from Co-Directors will be accepted.  Please note that if Co-Directors apply, each applicant must meet the position requirements and the applicants must have a history of working collaboratively.

Women, immigrants and applicants of color are encouraged to apply.  

For more information about Blocks Together, please visit our website at www.blockstogether.org

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