JOB OPENING: Community Organizer, Childhood Lead Action Project
CHILDHOOD LEAD ACTION PROJECT
JOB OPENING: COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
FULL TIME (35 hrs/wk)
SALARY:$38,000-$40,000, depending on experience
The Childhood Lead Action Project is looking for an experienced community organizer to facilitate local-level, community-driven advocacy campaigns aimed at eliminating lead poisoning in Rhode Island. The new organizer will assist with efforts already underway in several areas of the state, and take primary responsibility for moving our efforts forward in Pawtucket, Central Falls, and Woonsocket.Fluency/high level of proficiency in both Spanish and English is essential.
The organizer will be responsible for a variety of activities to support campaign and organizational goals. Major advocacy campaign decisions will be made collectively by coalition members and staff.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Recruit and provide initial orientation and training to coalition members, with special effort made to engage families affected by lead poisoning/lead hazards
- Drive campaign momentum by providing staff support for coalition meetings and activities (scheduling, reminders/turnout, agenda prep, facilitation, etc.)
- Promote focused, inclusive, and fun process as coalition members work to set goals, choose effective organizing tactics, and evaluate/celebrate progress as a group
- Arrange for formal and informal educational opportunities for coalition members, as needs arise (encouraging skill-sharing within the group whenever possible)
- Participate in community outreach and education regarding tenants' rights, financial assistance for lead abatement for homeowners, and other specific topics related to lead poisoning prevention (could include: door knocking, house parties, community group presentations, more)
- Maintain organized, accurate records and participate in reporting on activities and accomplishments
- Other tasks, as needed, interested, and assigned by Executive Director
TRAINING AND SUPERVISION
The Community Organizer will receive ongoing training and supervision from our Executive Director. Initial training will be provided in the form of assigned readings, discussions, online research exercises, and opportunities to shadow or interview a variety of lead professionals and other contacts.
BENEFITS- Generous benefits package, reflecting a strong commitment to providing a sustainable work/life balance, includes:
- Health and dental insurance (premiums covered 100% by employer for full-time employees)
- Paid vacation, holiday, sick, and personal days (vacation time increases after 2 and 4 years employment)
- Compensatory time
- Opportunity to participate in a retirement plan (small employer match after 2 years employment)
- Community organizing experience (paid or unpaid) required
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) fluency/high level of proficiency required
- Valid driver's license and regular access to a car required
- Excellent verbal and interpersonal skills required
- Highly organized and dependable
- Experience teaching/training adults (in any context) preferred
- Experience facilitating respectful and genuine community-building and decision-making within diverse groups
- Familiarity with Rhode Island/Rhode Island communities very helpful
- Computer skills (ability to use common office programs, troubleshoot typical office hardware and software programs, quickly learn to use new software)
- Public speaking
- Research skills
- Knowledge of the following topics helpful: Environmental justice/environmental health, Lead poisoning/lead poisoning prevention law & policy, Housing safety, tenants' rights, and RI state and municipal government
The Childhood Lead Action Project is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women, and LGBT individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Send cover letter and resume to laura@leadsafekids.org.Application open until position is filled.
MORE ABOUT US
Founded in 1992, the Childhood Lead Action Project works to eliminate childhood lead poisoning in Rhode Island through community-based education, parent support, and advocacy. We are the only organization in Rhode Island devoted primarily to this pervasive environmental injustice - one of the most serious environmental health problems affecting children in our state. We coordinate grassroots campaigns that seek to address the problem at its roots, holding those in power accountable and asserting the community's right to safe housing. We are confident that our work has been a major catalyst for the significant decrease in childhood lead poisoning in Rhode Island over the last two decades. Our accomplishments have earned local and national recognition, including a prestigious Children's Environmental Health Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
It is very important to us that racism, income inequality and other forms of social injustice be recognized as root causes of lead poisoning. Additionally, it is important for us to try to do something about this reality on a practical level, through the decisions we make as a group - during hiring, goal-setting, campaign strategy, etc. And it is a priority for our work to be led by and to benefit those at the greatest risk for lead poisoning. Our most successful campaigns involve parents or grandparents of lead poisoned children in strong leadership roles, supported by a team of allies with helpful personal experience and professional expertise (such as community lawyers, social workers, medical professionals, environmental activists, etc).
Courtesy of Childhood Lead Action Project
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