Workers Rights Organizer and Case Worker - Military veterans preferred

Third Sector New England


Workers Rights Organizer and Case Worker

US-NY-New York

Job ID: 2025-2512
Type: Fiscal Sponsorship Organizations
# of Openings: 1
Category: Civil Rights, Social Action, and Advocacy
Worker's Justice Project

Overview

Worker’s Justice Project (WJP) (workersjustice.org) was founded in 2010 to address the racial and economic injustices that low-wage immigrant workers face in New York City by building collective power to win institutional change. WJP runs two long-standing worker’s centers in Brooklyn. We promote justice and opportunity for low-wage immigrant workers in New York City by pushing for systematic enforcement and expansion of workplace protections, which include labor and occupational health and safety standards while advocating for industry-specific efforts to improve working conditions. WJP also offers skills-building training to workers in health & safety and industry-specific areas, and we educate immigrant communities about their rights in the workplace and how to exercise those rights.

WJP is a fiscally sponsored project of TSNE (tsne.org).

The Workers' Rights Organizer and Case Worker leads efforts to protect and advance workers' rights through a combination of direct advocacy, case support, and grassroots organizing. The primary focus of this position is grassroots worker organizing and outreach, with a secondary focus on casework as a means of supporting organizing and base building. As such, this position will involve frequent street-based outreach and will also work directly with workers facing workplace violations, guiding them through the process of understanding their rights, filing complaints, and building collective power to address systemic labor issues.

The organizer empowers workers to develop a collective voice in addressing labor issues and fighting for better wages, benefits, and working conditions. The role involves engaging with workers, employers, labor and legal entities to advance workforce interests and foster collaboration toward advancing Workers Justice Project's mission and goals.

Essential Functions

Outreach and Base Building

• Conduct street outreach and events targeting low-wage workers across NYC's five boroughs;
• Inform workers about their workplace rights and WJP's organizing campaigns;
• Identify and develop WJP members through group and one-on-one engagements;
• Motivate workers to take direct action, file complaints, and educate co-workers;
• Build and maintain a strong base of active members engaging in collective action;
• Generate and follow up on leads from community engagement.

Workers' Rights Education and Resources

• Educate workers about labor rights, wage theft, workplace safety, and discrimination;
• Create and facilitate orientation presentations about WJP programs;
• Develop and implement organizing campaigns and training sessions;
• Lead committee and worker meetings and support workplace direct actions;
• Conduct research on labor laws and industry standards;
• Support workers in developing leadership skills and organizing strategies.

Case Management and Partnerships

• Provide case management for workers experiencing workplace violations. This includes:
  • Helping workers to file wage theft complaints with city and state agencies;
  • Assisting workers with collecting documentation related to their labor complaints;
  • Conducting all necessary follow-up with workers about their case status.
• Build strong partnerships with government agencies, labor unions, and legal advocates;
• Cultivate relationships with community organizations and stakeholders;
• Coordinate with partners to strengthen worker protections;
• Develop and lead co-enforcement strategies with city, state, and federal labor agencies;
• Maintain effective referral networks for comprehensive worker support.

Perform other related assignments and special projects as may be required.

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• A commitment to WJP’s mission, vision, and values and our workers and worker justice;
• Strong written and verbal communications skills in English and Spanish - Spanish fluency at a near-native level is a requirement for this position.
• Excellent people and relationship building skills;
• Prior community organizing and/or case management experience strongly preferred;
• Proficiency knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) and other applications (Google Apps) and equipment operation such as copiers, scanners, fax machines and telephones;
• Administrative and organizational skills necessary to carry out the job description responsibilities;
• Knowledge of NYC/NYS labor rights and issues faced by immigrant workers strongly preferred;
• Strong meeting facilitation skills;
• Knowledge of NYC public transportation system;
• Ability to handle multiple priorities at the same time;
• Dedication and ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends as needed;
• Deep dedication to the leadership of directly affected people;
• A belief in peoples’ ability to change their conditions and their communities;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Love of teamwork and a good team player while working in a collaborative work environment;
• Special interest in building power among low-income people of color to fight for social economic and racial justice.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• There may be a need to lift and/or move materials or equipment.
• Able to work outdoors in inclement weather conditions.
• Able to commute using the NYC public transportation system.
• Able to work in an open office space.
• Handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.
• Reach; traverse; sit or stand (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move.
• Extended periods of time in front of a computer screen is an essential aspect of the position.
• Lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards.
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight.
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be primarily performed at the Williamsburg Worker Center/Hub, in the field on the streets of NYC and will travel periodically. This position is not eligible for remote work.

Schedule: Full time, 37.5 hours per week. This role requires the ability to work during regular business hours and regularly on evenings and weekends.

Compensation: The pay range for this position is $64,450 - $64,450/yr.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): twelve paid holidays, three weeks of vacation, one week of personal holiday, and ability to accrue up to 487.5 hours of health leave time for benefited staff.
• 80% Employer-paid, offering some $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim along with several low-deductible plans;
• Low-cost Guardian Dental and Vision.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care.
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance.
• Employer-paid Pension and Employee-paid 403b plan through TIAA.
• ...and more!

TSNE/WJP strives to achieve excellence through a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment that embraces all of our individual and collective differences. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Middle Eastern and North African, Bilingual and/or Bicultural candidates, and LGBTQ2SIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. We value and honor the unique talents, learning styles, and lived experiences of each individual that enrich and strengthen our workplace culture, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All employment conditions are based on an individual’s performance and job qualifications. TSNE/WJP prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, creed, color, religion, native language, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, race-based hairstyles, or any other protected characteristic stated by federal and state law. Regardless of any class’ protection under the law or lack thereof, TSNE/WJP celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse team of employees. It is represented in our workplace culture, and it is who we are.

TSNE/WJP's EEO statement extends to volunteers, interns, contractors, vendors, and clients.

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