Job Information
City of New York Community Organizing & Engagement Associate in New York, New York
Job Description
The Agency You’ll Join:
This past November, New York City voters overwhelmingly approved three ballot proposals that put racial equity and justice at the heart of city government, including a new Commission on Racial Equity (CORE).
The first of its kind in the nation, the new Commission on Racial Equity is a new independent 15-member commission responsible for engaging diverse communities to guide and assess the City’s racial equity planning process. CORE provides accountability for New Yorkers, regularly evaluating the City’s progress on its racial requirements and goals. CORE will be composed of diverse New Yorkers with equity expertise and/or relevant lived experience, serving as a conduit to bring historically excluded communities and voices into government decision-making.
The Team You’ll Work With:
CORE is an independent commission composed of 15 commissioners, including one Chair & Executive Director, jointly appointed by the Mayor and New York City Council Speaker. Other CORE commissioners will be appointed by the Mayor, City Council Speaker, City Comptroller, and Public Advocate. City officials appointing commissioners to CORE are required to consider individuals that represent or have advocated for historically excluded voices, including people with lived experience of marginalization and individuals who have never served on a government board or commission before.
The inaugural staff of the new Commission will be responsible for executing the day-to-day mission of the new Commission and establishing its path to success. They will take the vision of the Chair & Executive Director and the Commissioners and translate it into action strategies and plans that implement accountability for racial equity in the city. Like the Commission itself, the Commission’s staff aims to be representative of New Yorkers from all communities and walks of life. Staff will bring an accountability mindset into their work, ensuring that they are collaborating with city agencies and also voicing public concerns.
The Problems You’ll Solve:
The Community Organizing & Engagement Associate reports directly to the Community Organizing & Engagement Director and leads the external components of the commission's work. Community organizing and engagement will be the primary focus for the Commission, and it will also be paramount that the Commission successfully communicates its findings and priorities to the public and to the government. You are a member of the inaugural team that will define the new commission’s work, process, and success across the following areas:
Community Organizing and Engagement Strategy – Under the direction of the Community Organizing & Engagement Director, you will design and implement an organizational and engagement strategy that brings together New York City community members across neighborhoods to identify community concerns, and be in receipt of ideas and proposed solutions to enact change in government decision making.
You will support the design and implementation of the Commission's communication strategies including press response, proactive communications, digital communications, advertising, branding, web presence, and more. You will leverage your knowledge of community concerns to help ensure that communications align with the Commission’s values, resonate with New Yorkers, and embody the principles of access design, including plain language and language justice.
Community Organizing and Engagement Implementation - You will support the Commission's external engagement and support the coordination of the Commission's representation at community events and other engagements.
In the first year, you will support the Community Organizing & Engagement Director in producing a public document outlining principles and best practices for government agencies to leverage community power in government decision making along with developing up to two trainings to build upon the consciousness of skills of NYC residents to strengthen the pillars of racial equity in democracy.
Responsibilities:
Supports the development and implementation of CORE overall strategy for community organizing and engagement strategy, elevating the voices of New Yorkers and their community representatives.
Supports the communications team so that all Commission communications adhere to principles of access design, including plain language and language justice.
As needed, works with the operations team to identify any vendors that are needed to assist with organizing and engagement activities and manages the collaboration with the vendors.
Identifies appropriate locations and best partners for community organizing and engagement activities.
Develops community engagement activities and identifies mechanism to capture community concerns and input.
Works with the Director to identify the best way to engage and prepare Commissioners in organizing and engagement.
Co-develops trainings, facilitate workshops, and develops learning spaces that increase the public’s knowledge on power structures, decision making, and racial equity.
Engages community members on a range of issues raised.
Embeds DEI and anti-racism practices and tools into the everyday functioning of the Commission.
About You:
Commitment to racial equity and are seeking a values-aligned role that involves significant creativity and challenge.
Community organizing and engagement or customer service management experience.
At least four (4) years of professional experience, including at least two (2) years of community organizing and/or engagement experience.
Demonstrated experience creating workshops, and mechanisms to capture community feedback.
Prior experience working on behalf of racial equity causes or alongside community organizations serving BIPOC New Yorkers is highly preferred.
Penchant for plain language.
Experience working with journalists and the press is a plus.
Relevant formal education can be helpful, such as in sociology, social work, public administration, public policy, communications, ethnic studies, etc.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, equity, and accessibility.
Background of living in, working within, or growing up as a member of communities facing historical oppression will contribute to your ability to guide the planning process.
Demonstrated commitment, competency and strong familiarity with issues affecting Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, Middle Eastern, or Pacific Islander communities in New York City, or other marginalized groups.
Demonstrated history of building relationships for your team to enable execution of a strategy that extends beyond the Office.
Technical skills or project management skills are a necessity.
Salary:
The Commission on Racial Equity’s compensation package includes a market competitive salary and exceptional benefits. Our cash compensation range for this role is $69,000 -$79,000. Final offers may vary from the amount listed based on candidate experience and expertise, and other factors.
Equal Opportunity | Diversity Equity & Inclusion Statement:
The Commission on Racial Equity is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.
The Commission upholds diversity in backgrounds and in experiences that is reflective of the city it serves. Applicants of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged and welcome to apply.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a veteran with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability.
Residency Requirement: New York City residency is required within 90 days of appointment.
To Apply: Click the "I'm Interested" button to submit your application and please include your cover letter under the "Message to Hiring Manager" field.
Qualifications
Graduation from an accredited college with a baccalaureate degree; or
Graduation from an accredited community college plus two years of experience with administrative, analytic, coordinative, supervisory or liaison responsibilities; or
A four year high school diploma or its educational equivalent plus four years of experience as described in "2" above; or
A satisfactory equivalent combination of education and experience.
Additional Information
The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.