job: organizer, NY, no salary info

[colist at comm-org.wisc.edu]

From: Sondra Youdelman <sondra at cvhaction.org>


Please help us circulate the following job posting.

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MID-HUDSON VALLEY COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
Listed: March 19, 2007

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Community Voices Heard (CVH) is seeking an experienced organizer to
build a Mid-Hudson Valley chapter of our successful New York City
Economic Justice Organization. This will involve leadership, committee,
and campaign development.

CVH is a 12 year-old membership organization of low-income families
based in NYC. CVH uses base-building, direct-action, grassroots-driven
research and coalition building to lead campaigns to win benefits for
our membership of low-income families. We work on economic justice, job
creation, welfare, public housing, accountable development, and access
to education and training services.

As part of our latest strategic plan, CVH leadership identified an
interest in expanding to other NY areas – as a way to enhance our power
on issues critical to low-income families and bring our innovative model
to places where low-income empowerment is lacking. In 2006, CVH began a
project in the City of Yonkers in Westchester County and is now ready to
expand into the Mid-Hudson Valley region.

CVH is currently working on a regional assessment process to lay the
foundation for building a base of CVH members in the Mid-Hudson Valley
region. The exact location of the project is to be determined upon
completion of the assessment process. Likely possibilities for the
initial base office are Poughkeepsie (Dutchess County), Kingston (Ulster
County) or Newburgh (Orange County).

The responsibilities of the position will include:

** Base Building: Conducting base building activities at local low
income housing developments, social service agencies, community
organizations, welfare centers, and by door-knocking and organizing
house-meetings.
** Leadership & Committee Development: Conducting leadership development
and leadership training workshops and sessions with evolving membership;
supporting identified community leaders in moving to the next levels of
their engagement and leadership; staffing an organizing committee of
local leaders to direct campaigns.
** Campaign Development: Facilitating issue identification, campaign
planning and campaign development processes to develop a local campaign
with leadership including demands, strategies, tactics, etc.
** Coalition & Stakeholder Work: Working with ally organizations in the
region to move forward campaign goals and demands. Working
collaboratively with the CVH bases in New York City and Westchester
County to move forward statewide campaigns.

This is a full-time position that begins as soon as possible (May 1st or
shortly thereafter). The Mid-Hudson Valley Organizer will work as part
of a staff team that includes the Senior Organizer and Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

** Minimum 2 years community organizing, political organizing,
legislative issue advocacy, and or project development management
experience required.
** Experience in base building, door knocking, leadership development,
mobilization, and strategy development essential.
** Ability to work independently, yet take direction, according to goals
of the organization.
** Strong commitment to relational membership/community led organizing,
conducting one-on-one meetings with individuals, and ability to identify
non-traditional and community-based leaders and people who want to be
community leaders.
** Applicants must be committed to ideology of building community power
& share our commitment to membership grassroots decision-making, radical
politics & our analysis of power.
** Spanish language skills are strongly desired, but not required.

TO APPLY:

Please send resume and cover letter to Sondra Youdelman, Executive
Director, Community Voices Heard, 170 East 116th St., Suite 1E, New
York, NY 10029 or email them to sondra at cvhaction.org. If emailing, make
sure to put “Mid-Hudson Community Organizer” in the subject line.

CVH is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, GLBT
individuals, and people with experience on public assistance are
strongly encouraged to apply. For more information please check out our
web page at: www.cvhaction.org. Resumes will be accepted until the
position is filled.

SALARY/ BENEFITS:

Depends on experience (DOE). Excellent benefits include health
insurance, sabbatical, 403(b) retirement program, generous vacation
leave, and holiday time off. Driver’s license and car strongly
recommended; mileage reimbursement will be provided.