Worker Organizer Job at Make the Road States in Elizabeth

Make the Road States (MRstates) is the national home for the second-generation Make the Road family of organizations in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Nevada, this in addition to New York, that serves to uplift the voices of working-class, immigrants, women, LGBTQIA people, and people of color across the Make the Roads umbrella. From an operational spectrum it serves as the Finance and Human Resources Compliance Officers for the umbrella at large.

Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ) builds the power of immigrant and working class communities to achieve dignity and respect through community organizing, the provision of high quality legal and support services, transformative education and policy innovation. MRNJ is a project of Make the Road States. Founded in 2014, MRNJ operates centers and organizing hubs in Elizabeth, Passaic, Perth Amboy and Newark, NJ that reach thousands of immigrant and working class people of color each year. Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above-- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. In the past four years, MRNJ has won more than 10 pro-immigrant and pro-worker policies, including the nation's first guaranteed severance law, landmark anti-wage theft legislation, occupational and drivers’ license for undocumented immigrants and a $15 minimum wage. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services including ESOL, legal services in the areas of immigration and workplace rights, workplace safety training and college access.

This provision is included in a Union-represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining.

Current Opening:

Since opening in 2014, Make the Road NJ has led some of the most dynamic and impactful worker organizing campaigns in the state. NJ workers have won landmark protections against wage theft, have passed laws guaranteeing paid sick leave, pushed for the establishment of an excluded workers fund during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in 2023 pushed for the passage of the historic Temporary Workers’ Bill of Rights. We now seek a Worker Organizer to strengthen our base and prepare groups of workers to take on the biggest challenges and campaign aggressively to win tangible victories in key industries. This role reports to the Director of Worker Organizing and Policy. The role will require in person work in one of our offices in Elizabeth, Passaic and/or Perth Amboy and travel throughout the state. The position would be ideal for an energetic, flexible organizer with a commitment to social justice, worker justice, and grassroots organizing. The candidate will work with MRNJ’s team of Worker Committee organizers, as well as with the broader organizing team, our lawyers and our communications specialists.

Additionally, the Organizer will represent Make the Road New Jersey at coalition partner tables and help lead campaigns and coalitions. We are looking for a passionate, creative thinker with outstanding leadership skills who has the ability to develop member leadership and implement a variety of strategies to advance our campaigns. This is an excellent opportunity to sharpen your skills as an organizer and make lasting change alongside workers on the frontlines.

Key Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Execute campaign plans designed to mobilize workers around the most urgent issues in our state.
• Lead teams of member-organizers through community outreach and actions, including door-knocking, rallies, protests, engagement with elected officials, etc.
• Conduct outreach at warehouses, temp agencies and other workplaces
• Hold frequent one-on-one meetings with both current and prospective Worker Committee members
• Co-design and co-organize leadership development opportunities for members
• Engage the broader community and expand the Worker Committee’s base with popular education
• Build and hold organizing relationships with key partners, allies and elected leaders while representing MRNJ at key coalition partner tables
• Contribute to creating impactful and culturally-relevant messaging and aesthetics that elevate our campaigns
• Support the implementation and recruitment efforts to grow our membership based throughout the state.
• Provide support and participation for organization-wide and national campaigns, civic engagement initiatives and other events

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the U.S
• Required to be fully vaccinated with an FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior first day of employment.
• Spanish/English fluency preferred;
• Have 2 years demonstrated experience in community or workplace organizing;
• Must be open to working some evenings and weekends
• Required travel across all our community centers and statewide, with some travel to Washington, DC and other geographies in the United States.
• Must have a commitment to social justice and building leadership of immigrant and working class people of color
• Must have passion/knowledge of worker justice issues
• Must have experience working on organizing campaigns
• Valid driver’s license and vehicle

Job Competencies:

• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Be highly professional and team oriented with a passion for excellence and eagerness to help the department meet our goals.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and complete assignments under strict deadlines with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.
• Ability to work under pressure required.
• Have a working knowledge of spreadsheets, Microsoft Office suite, and using a database (ideally Salesforce) to run reports.
• Flexible work schedule, some evenings or weekends required
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• High level of accountability and initiative; needs to be a self-starter and eager to do team work to support the organization as a whole

Salary and Benefits:

MRStates offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $50,591 to $78,652

How to Apply:

Please attach cover letter/resume and submit all documents to the Make the Road New States career center.

Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.