Position Summary

The New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice (NOWCRJ)  seeks a highly talented and experienced Organizer to build strategic grassroots organizing campaigns, expand membership participation, create and implement leadership development programs for members, and build and sustain alliances and coalitions. The organizer will report to the Lead Organizer of the New Orleans Workers Center for Racial Justice and will work collaboratively with a team of organizers, lawyers and members across the projects within the Center.

 

Position:

Organizer of the New Orleans Workers’ Center for Racial Justice (NOWCRJ)

 

About the Organization:

The New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial Justice (NOWCRJ) is a multi-racial membership-based organization dedicated to building the power and participation of poor people in order to expand democracy and transform the economy. We organize directly affected people, and couple their courage and knowledge with strategic legal, policy and communications work to build campaigns that advance racial justice, immigrant rights, and a fair economy. We are Louisiana workers, led by a united front of exploited black and immigrant workers, organizing and building the power to reclaim what is rightfully ours. Together, we are demanding dignified work, racial justice, a liberation that transcends borders, and our full participation in every decision that affects our lives. Since 2006, the Center’s organizing and policy victories have been highlighted in the New York Times, Time Magazine, and Newsweek. For more information go to www.nowcrj.org.

 

About the Position

This position is based in New Orleans, LA. Exceptional candidates based in other parts of Louisiana will be considered.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Grow the membership

• Actively recruit new members, through outreach, one on one conversation, follow up with existing members, and use other means to grow the base. 

• Identify existing leaders in the community and workplaces you are organizing and actively recruit them to support the growth of the base 

• Build deep relationships with members though organizing conversations and though offering new members roles 

• Create a clear, shared understanding of the organization and correct expectations with new members so that they understand what NOWCRJ is and what it is not

 

Deepen member participation and develop member leadership

• With each member you recruit work to develop their participation and give them roles

• Identify members’ strengths and motivations and support them in putting those in the service of the collective goals 

• Develop the skills, analysis and experience of members that you recruit and existing members to better carry out the collective goals of the organization. 

• Support member participation in organizational decision making when appropriate

• Facilitate and support energetic membership meetings that build members political analysis and engagement

 

Support and Participate in strategic campaigns and programming that build member power and community

• This may include workplace fights, fights with government actors, holiday parties, story circles, attending national conferences with member-leaders, and more. 

• Participating in strategy discussions, power mapping, action planning and support members in executing campaign fights

 

Documentation

• Manage lists, charts, and databases and assure that all of your fieldwork is clearly and systematically recorded

 

Support NOWCRJ Team 

• Actively participate in and support the overall work of NOWCRJ including organization wide activates, events and campaigns 

• Support specific organizing campaigns of other programs in the organization as appropriate

 

Other duties as assigned

This is not a 9 to 5 job—long and varied hours, with early morning, evening, weekend work is required. This position will include significant travel.

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Who You Are

You are a person who is dedicated to societal transformation through the leadership of directly affected people. You have faith in workers’ ability to lead. You are able to work well under pressure and you value organization and planning as tools to reduce pressure. You love working with and developing teams. You are a strong educator, coach and know how to teach by example.  

 

Key qualifications:

• The job requires a high degree of motivation and the ability to take initiative.  A successful applicant will have the following qualitie

  • Deep dedication to the leadership of directly affected people.

  • You have a deep commitment to and respect for the expertise and ability of poor people to change the world.

  • You are committed to racial justice and have the skills to effectively organize across race. You are committed to building grassroots power in the South.

• Love of teamwork and a good team player.

• Creativity, patience, positive attitude, and stamina

• The ability to work under pressure

• Familiarity and experience in the immigrant rights, pro-black or labor movements.

 

Applications will only be accepted electronically.  Please thoroughly answer the four (4) questions below and submit as an attachment, along with your resume as a separate document, in an email and send to careers@nowcrj.org. Type your first name, last name, and the position you are applying for in the subject line of your email. Please include a daytime phone number where we can contact you.  Application process will be open until the position is filled. 

 

1.      What about NOWCRJ’s work most excites or interests you?

2.      Have you ever been involved in any of the organization's campaigns, events, or membership before? If so, please share when/how.

3.      What is the biggest strength you bring to a team setting?

4.      What does liberation look like for your community?