The Public Interest Law Center is seeking a community organizer to support the Law Center’s work in housing and environmental justice.
The Public Interest Law Center (“the Law Center”) is a nationally renowned public interest law firm whose mission is to use high-impact legal strategies to advance the civil, social, and economic rights of communities in the Philadelphia region facing discrimination, inequality, and poverty. We combine targeted litigation, legal advice, community education, advocacy, and organizing to secure people’s access to fundamental resources and services, including a high-quality education, health care, housing and community services, employment, a healthy neighborhood and the unencumbered right to vote. We accomplish our mission in partnership with a robust network of pro bono partners, community partners, volunteers and other essential stakeholders. The Law Center strongly values equity, inclusion, achieving racial and social justice, and empowering client communities through our high-impact work.
In support of the Housing Team, the Organizer will work alongside our Tenant Organizer and Community Lawyer to grow the membership of Renters United Philadelphia. Launched within the Public Interest Law Center in March of 2020, Renters United Philadelphia organizes and educates renters to fight for their rights to quality housing in the streets, in the courts, and in City Hall. You can learn more here.
In support of the Environmental Justice team, the Organizer will increase the capacity of the team as they develop and implement organizing campaign strategies to achieve their goals. The organizer will help build and maintain relationships with community members, mobilize impacted residents around specific issues, monitor legislative and policy changes related to urban agriculture and environmental justice, and together with the community leaders, identify advocacy opportunities and implement strategies to achieve community goals. You can learn more here.
FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
HOUSING
• Recruit renters to participate in and join Renters United Philadelphia
• Perform outreach through flyering, outdoor canvassing, door-knocking, phone calls, text messages, and social media
• Develop the leadership skills of renter leaders
• Support development of and facilitation of building meetings/assemblies and direct actions
• Track leadership in digital databases
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Existing campaigns and projects through the Garden Justice Legal Initiative include ongoing efforts to reduce the statutory period for adverse possession to ten years, to eliminate bank liens on gardens, and to press for significant improvements to the operations of the Philadelphia Land Bank. In support of these efforts the Organizer will:
• Manage and facilitate Vacant Land 215 programming
• Attend meetings with City Council and staff
• Monitor legislative changes related to land issues
• Identify gardeners and prepare them to provide public testimony
• Perform research to support GJLI campaigns and projects
The Organizer will also support environmental justice campaigns in Southwest Philadelphia such as the Law Center’s efforts to reduce air and noise pollution caused by auto body shops. In support of these efforts the Organizer will:
• Perform outreach through flyering, door knocking, hosting meetings, and facilitating workshops for impacted residents
• Engage stakeholders in supporting environmental justice campaigns and legislation
DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE
The ideal candidate will have experience in a diverse, working class, base-building organization carrying out canvassing and outreach, relationship building, turnout efforts and direct action development. They will also have experience developing coalition spaces. They will have an understanding of systemic inequities, a commitment to housing and environmental justice, and relevant lived experience.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• 2-4 years of base-building experience in community, faith-based or labor organizations as paid staff or core volunteer working with teams and supervising volunteers
• Experience building relationships, moving people to action, and building consensus
• Ability to develop and implement a successful campaign strategy
• Knowledge of, and experience with, the legislative process
• Demonstrated awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds and orientations
• Strong written and oral communications skills
• Proven ability to work independently and proactively
• Meeting facilitation and workshop design skills
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, projects and deadlines
• High degree of emotional intelligence
• Spanish language proficiency preferred but not required
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite and digital databases for tracking membership and events
WORK ENVIRONMENT
This position operates in a hybrid office environment as well as off-site locations. Applicant must be located in the Philadelphia area and available some evenings and weekends.
The Law Center does require that all employees, including new employees, be fully vaccinated. The Law Center will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination at time of hire. If you require more information on our policy, please contact us.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
The Public Interest Law Center is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to ensuring a workforce that embraces and embodies the values of inclusion, belonging, cultural humility and mutual respect. We are eager to receive applications from people of all diverse backgrounds including, but not limited to, people of color, people with disabilities, people who have experienced poverty or homelessness, and members of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Law Center invites all applicants to include in their letter of interest a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our organization, client communities and overall work in housing and environmental justice.
The Law Center is committed to protecting the safety of children.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The salary for this position for a candidate who meets the preferred qualifications is $50,000 annually. The Law Center offers a generous benefits and leave package, including medical/dental insurance, short and long-term disability, a retirement plan with employer match, life insurance, ample paid time off (PTO), federal holidays, paid parental leave, and paid FMLA.
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit via email a resume, a letter of interest that describes your relevant experience and why you would be a good fit for this position at the Law Center, and contact information for at least three professional references to Leanne Almeida, Program Coordinator. If possible, please format your materials as a single PDF file.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, with preference given to candidates who submit their application by February 14, 2022. Interviews for the position will commence the week of February 28, 2022.
