Mobilization and Base-Building Organizer - Chicago Housing Justice League

Job Title: Mobilization and Base-Building Organizer

The Chicago Housing Justice League seeks a passionate, motivated organizer prepared to help sustain the mission of our coalition. This part-time (20-24 hours per week) position will especially focus on growing the base of impacted tenants and other concerned Chicagoans needed to create meaningful housing policy change. The position is grant-funded for up to a year and is open to renewal as the League secures further funding. This position will also be working in parallel to the League’s existing staff organizer, who will help train and acclimate new staff member to the position.

• Work with existing staff member, steering committee, and general membership to support ongoing League activities, including political advocacy, tenant outreach, and more.

• Take notes, draft and send meeting and event invitations/reminders, and follow up from meetings. 

• Support efforts to host additional programming to educate public on housing justice issues.

• Grow membership in the League through outreach to community-based and grassroots organizations, especially those from or working in Black/African American neighborhoods. 

• Devise and execute strategies to ensure those most impacted by housing marginalization are best incorporated into the advocacy work of the Justice League

QUALIFICATIONS: Good oral and written communication skills; experience in project, program or campaign management; experience overseeing and creating content for social media; fluency in Spanish a plus; commitment to the vision and goals of the CHJL strong commitment to and passion for racial justice and racial equity; and prior work or involvement with social and racial justice organizing or advocacy. Individuals who've experienced housing instability are encouraged to apply. Must be willing to work a flexible schedule that can include evenings and weekends.

SALARY: $28,500, plus benefits. 20-24 hours per week.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: To be filled as soon as possible. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Please send a resume, three references, brief writing sample and ~500-word cover letter discussing your commitment to housing justice to: anniehoward@protonmail.com.

BACKGROUND: Founded in January 2018, the Chicago Housing Justice League is a city-wide collaborative seeking to establish housing as a human right by affirmatively pursuing racial justice in housing; expanding the supply, quality, and accessibility of affordable housing; and promoting policies and programs that stabilize neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for Chicagoans. Currently, the League’s flagship campaign is Just Cause for Eviction, which would prevent the unjust displacement of 10,000 Chicago families each year.

The Chicago Housing Justice League is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. CHJL recognizes the unparalleled expertise of those who have directly experienced housing instability or discrimination and/or those who have been most burdened by our region’s pervasive residential segregation. Individuals with lived experience are encouraged to apply. Upon request, accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

Transit Organizer Position, Chicago Jobs with Justice

Job Posting: Full-time Organizer

Role: Transit Organizer. Chicago Jobs with Justice is organizing a transit justice campaign called Transit for All (www.transit4all.org). We are looking for an experienced, talented organizer to lead the effort to organize a transit rider organization in Chicago which will advocate for an equitable, accessible, safe and affordable transit system for all. 

Minimum requirements:  

1. Experience leading successful labor or community organizing campaigns. 
2. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
3. Able to use Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Google Drive, and able to navigate social media platforms. 
4. Must be able to demonstrate a passionate commitment to economic, social, and racial justice.
5. Must be a fluent Spanish speaker.  
6. Based in Chicago 

Desired qualifications: experience in transit policy and advocacy or experience in Chicago politics and organizing landscape 

Salary: Starting salary is $50,000, salary commensurate experience

Benefits: Fully paid health insurance (PPO); 2 weeks paid vacation plus end of year paid time off, training, and professional development

Women and people of color and STRONGLY encouraged to apply.

Please send resume and cover letter to Susan Hurley, Executive Director of Chicago Jobs with Justice, susan@chicagojwj.org.

Access Living Community Development Organizer - Chicago IL

Position Title: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZER

BASIC FUNCTION:
Development and implementation of community organizing campaigns on topics including but
not limited to: racial justice, community integration, transit and other disability issues. Base
building and recruitment of grassroots leaders of all ages to build Access Living’s capacity for
advocacy mobilization through Power to the People coalition (PTP).

DUTIES:
 Campaign Development: In coordination with manager and fellow organizers, design
and coordinate advocacy/organizing campaigns for systems change and reform at the
local, state and Federal levels which support Access Living’s mission and strategic goals;
 Base Building: Recruit new grassroots leaders for PTP through any combination of the
following: social media, tabling at community events, phone banking, canvassing, one-
on-ones, house meetings, presentations at/referrals from AL independent living services,
 Training and Leadership Development: Provide grassroots leaders in the disability
community with leadership development and organizing training; Train people with
disabilities on advocacy, legislative processes, and direct action,
 Coalition Building: Increase PTP’s political power by building and cultivating
relationships with community groups, advocacy organizations, and government agencies
to create broad coalitional support for disability rights issues,
 Internal Collaboration: Coordinate with Access Living legal and direct services staff as
needed, and to recruit members for PTP from those clients assisted,
 Policy Work: Provide support to the Manager of Organizing and Policy in monitoring
campaign-relevant policy and legislation at local, state and Federal levels; coordinating
public and written testimony and comments on proposed legislation and policy/rule
changes; and promoting new policies and policy reform efforts to further the disability
movement.
 Community Education/Outreach: Conduct popular education efforts around disability
and racial justice and specific policy and legislation, including through the use of media;
Provide internal and external workshops as needed
 Miscellaneous Duties: Conduct written quarterly project activities reports; Ensure
compliance with grant requirements through regular data entry; act as a spokesperson for
Access Living on campaign-specific issues as assigned; and execute any other duties as
assigned.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
Bachelor’s degree or applicable life/work experience. Good communication skills, both for
public presentations and written reports. A writing sample may be required. Proficiency in
Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Publisher, and Outlook.

EXPERIENCE:
Extensive experience (3-5 years as paid staff or key strategic leader) in community organizing
strongly preferred. Knowledge of racial justice issues, disability issues, and/or independent
living philosophy is strongly preferred. Understanding of social media is required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Must be able to travel extensively and independently within the City of Chicago, as well as
occasional travel outside of Chicago.

If interested, please send a cover letter and resumé to:
rmata@accessliving.org
No phone calls, please.

Community Development Organizer, Housing - Chicago, IL

Community Development Organizer – Housing

Access Living

Chicago, IL

BASIC FUNCTION:
Development and implementation of community organizing campaigns to increase access for
people with disabilities in City of Chicago housing programs; and to protect existing programs
and create new affordable, accessible, integrated housing options using local, state, and Federal
resources. Some policy support work in these areas will also be expected.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Coordinate the Disability Rights Action Coalition for Housing (DRACH): Recruit, organize and support grassroots leaders with disabilities on housing issues through one-on-ones and other base-building activities; Collaborate broadly with internal and external stakeholders to support grassroots systems change advocacy on housing policies and programs at the local, state and Federal levels
• Campaign Development: Design and coordinate disability rights housing advocacy/organizing campaigns for systems change and reform at the local, state and Federal levels as needed; Support grassroots housing organizing for DRACH and other housing-related efforts
• Training and Leadership Development: Provide grassroots leaders in the disability community with leadership development and organizing training; Train people with disabilities on their fair housing rights and responsibilities, including public housing policies and regulations,
• Coalition Building: Increase DRACH political power by building and cultivating relationships with housing-related community groups, fair housing advocacy organizations, and government agencies to create broad coalitional support for disability housing issues
• Internal Collaboration: Coordinate with Access Living housing locators and housing counseling staff and fair housing/legal staff to ensure a high level of service for clients in need of those services, and to recruit members for DRACH from those clients assisted
• Policy Work: Provide support to the Manager of Organizing and Policy in monitoring affordable housing policy and legislation at local, state and Federal levels; coordinating public and written testimony and comments on proposed legislation and policy/rule changes; and promoting new policies and policy reform efforts creating affordable, accessible, integrated housing for people with disabilities
• Community Education/Outreach: Conduct public education efforts around housing policy and legislation, including through the use of media; Provide internal and external workshops and seminars on housing policy, related court cases, and legislation
• Miscellaneous Duties: Conduct written quarterly project activities reports; Ensure compliance with grant requirements through regular data entry; act as a spokesperson for Access Living on housing issues as assigned; and execute any other duties as assigned. 

EDUCATION AND TRAINING: Minimum educational background required

• Bachelor’s degree or applicable life/work experience. Good written and oral communication skills. A writing sample will be required. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Publisher, and Outlook.

About Access Living

Established in 1980, Access Living is a change agent committed to fostering an inclusive society that enables Chicagoans with disabilities to live fully–engaged and self–directed lives. Nationally recognized as a leading force in the disability advocacy community, Access Living challenges stereotypes, protects civil rights and champions social reform. Their staff and volunteers combine knowledge and personal experience to deliver programs and services that equip people with disabilities to advocate for themselves. Access Living is at the forefront of the disability rights movement, removing barriers so people with disabilities can live the future they envision.

Interested candidates should email, mail or fax a resume and cover letter to:

Human Resources
Access Living

115 W. Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60654
fax : 312-787-3866
rmata@accessliving.org
No phone calls please