We’re hiring a housing organizer. Apply or share!

Our Community Benefits Agreement coalition rallies near Mayor Lightfoot’s house in 2022.

Southside Together Organizing for Power is a community organization that builds the power of low-income and working Black residents in Woodlawn, Greater Grand Crossing and surrounding neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago to impact the decisions and forces that affect our lives. STOP began around a housing campaign to stop displacement, and has since grown into an intergenerational organization that organizes tenants, mental health patients and allies, and youth. The STOP Housing Organizer will work to build the power of the STOP housing program and campaigns. 

The Housing Organizer will work with the Lead Housing Organizer to organize tenants associations, develop tenant leadership, and grow tenant power. The Housing Organizer will help develop and implement leadership development, base-building, and campaign plans. This job requires a person who relates well to a variety of people, has experience in and respect for developing grassroots leaders, and is comfortable representing the organization. Specific duties include: outreach/education to our base of tenants and the broader communities in which STOP is active; planning trainings and workshops for members; preparing members to plan and facilitate meetings and events; and fundraising.  Systems management and administrative duties are required such as use of a contacts database. The Housing Organizer is supervised by, evaluated by, and reports to the Lead Housing Organizer.

Essential responsibilities

Build STOP’s base

• Develop and implement base-building plans with tenants associations and coalitions

• Maintain existing and build new tenants associations

• Conduct outreach, including door-to-door outreach in buildings STOP is organizing tenants associations in.

• Set and meet goals for specific numbers of buildings to organize — and for individuals to reach, recruit, and turn out for meetings and events

• Individual recruit goals will include setting goals for one-on-one meetings with individuals you are trying to recruit

• Develop and maintain relationships with community members

• Organize meetings with current and/or potential members, working with members to prepare agendas and facilitate meetings

Develop leadership

• Help implement leadership-development workshop training series

• Practice leadership development through day-to-day activation of members

Strengthen STOP’s campaigns

• Through one-on-ones, meetings, trainings and workshops, involve members in planning and implementing campaign strategies

• Develop and implement action research plans with members

• Work with members to cut and frame issues and develop/implement media strategies, including media messaging, preparing for speaking to the media and critically assessing media coverage

Develop and broaden STOP’s alliances 

• Attend relevant coalition meetings with STOP members

• Build and maintain relationships with allies and potential allies

• Recruit STOP members to attend key actions and events put on by organizations working in solidarity with STOP

Strategic planning

• Help plan and facilitate strategic planning retreats with housing leaders

• Engage members in developing their capacity to think strategically

• Participate in assessment, evaluation and reflection activities

Manage and coordinate work of volunteers

Fundraising

• Support tenants in planning and implementing grassroots fundraisers

• Support individual-donor fundraising

• Assist in grant writing and/or soliciting input from tenant members into grants

Systems and administration

• Collect and organize sign-in sheets and minutes from all meetings.

• Submit timesheets every two weeks for the prior two weeks worked.

• Produce a written bi-weekly workplan outlining goals for the month and activities to achieve those goals

• Check email daily, Monday – Friday, and respond to emails within 24-48 hours during business hours.

• Respond to text messages

• Track turnout and base building activities using database.

• Complete other documentation as needed in an accurate and timely manner

Office hours

• Keep at least 20 hours of office hours per week. This should be at a time that is convenient for your leaders and members to meet with you. It should be a standing time that can be posted in the office. The intention is to make your program accessible to your leaders, members and base. You can setup meetings during your office hours.

• Assist with routine office tasks such as data entry, office upkeep, answering and responding to phone calls and emails

Qualifications

• Commitment to STOP’s issues and values, including economic and racial justice, gender equity, and human rights

• Minimum one year experience in grassroots organizing, including outreach, leadership development, campaign planning, and direct action (this may include volunteer experience).

• Familiarity with affordable housing issues

• Interest in advancing housing as a human right

• Ability to get along well with people from diverse backgrounds

• Knowledge of Woodlawn, Kenwood, South Shore and other South Side communities

• Familiarity with other community organizations in Chicago

• Awareness of community resources and ability to network to build community relationships

• Strong writing and speaking skills, including large group presentations

• Self motivated, independent problem-solvers and works well as part of a team

• Commitment to fostering a work environment and organizing campaigns that challenge and undo racist, classist, sexist, homophobic, anti-immigrant and other forms of prejudice and oppression

• Good personal organization skills. Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize and use time effectively.

• Proficiency with Google Suite: docs, spreadsheets, forms, email, etc. Or commitment to learn (training can be provided). 

• Willingness to work regularly on evenings and some weekend hours

• Possession of a High School Diploma or GED

• Bachelor’s degree not required, but equivalent through work experience preferred.

Compensation

$50-51,000, generous health benefits, two weeks paid vacation, two weeks paid time off at end of the year, plus 7 personal days.

To apply…

Please submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@stopchicago.org