Syracuse Organizer

Position: Senior Organizer

Department: National

Position Type: Full-Time ─ Exempt

Location: Syracuse or Onondaga County preferred 

Reports to: Northeast Director

Salary Range: $62,000- $77,000

Application Deadline: May 21, 2024

 

Who we are  ─ About Jobs to Move America:

Jobs to Move America is a national and multi-regional strategic policy and action center that works to transform public spending and corporate behavior using a comprehensive approach that is rooted in racial and economic justice and community organizing. We seek to advance a fair and prosperous economy with good jobs and healthier communities for all. To learn more, visit our website: www.jobstomoveamerica.org.

JMA is at the forefront of smart policy and strategic organizing to win real benefits for communities and workers of color who too often have been left behind. At this critical time for lower-income, frontline communities and people of color, we are uniquely positioned to advance a powerful agenda for equitable job creation and climate justice, as well as expanded access to training for historically underrepresented groups in the growing green infrastructure and clean technology sectors. 

The semiconductor industry in New York presents a unique opportunity to ensure the creation and growth of good family and community-sustaining jobs. The organizer will be responsible for building an active and engaged community, labor, and environmental coalition to win community benefits agreements that ensure worker and community needs are prioritized in the development of publicly funded projects. The organizer will also advocate for equity-based policies for good jobs, climate justice, and corporate transparency and accountability that strengthen the community’s ability to hold corporations accountable and create a fairer economy. 

As the organizer overseeing our campaign and directly interacting with our union partners, you will be responsible for leading and growing a network of grassroots community members, workers, and coalition partners that are engaged in our campaign to win community benefits agreements and worker-centered equity policies with semiconductor facilities and other  technology companies. 

The role will be mostly performed in-person in Syracuse and Onondaga County with occasional travel across New York state. In addition, the Organizer will coordinate virtually with colleagues and labor partners from other parts of New York and the U.S. 

This role is expected to last the duration of at least one comprehensive campaign for a community benefits agreement, with a minimum of two years. The position may be extended beyond this period depending on future campaign opportunities. 

 

The Work

• Working closely with JMA's team of campaigners and researchers, contribute to developing and implementing strategy to achieve campaign goals
• Alongside our union partners, develop and drive JMA’s field coordination efforts in Syracuse to organize community members and local groups to win community benefits campaigns with New York-based companies
• Build and maintain substantial 1:1 relationships through regular meetings and consistent follow-up with key community and labor stakeholders including developing and running monthly coalition meetings
• Conduct survey research to better understand community and worker needs
• Act as an effective spokesperson for JMA’s vision, work, and campaigns and represent JMA in high-stakes meetings with decision makers
• Contribute to JMA’s organizational development. For example, assisting with fundraising, providing peer evaluations, and participating in JMA staff committees (not to exceed 10% of time)

 

Desired Skills and Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience organizing with workers, community groups, and/or unions

• Experience leading and/or engaging community coalitions with diverse stakeholders is strongly preferred
• Excellent communication and social skills including the ability to develop new contacts and build transformational relationships with workers and organization leaders
• Ability to continually assess, follow up, and deepen the commitment of key stakeholders 
• Maintain good judgment, flexibility and creative thinking in difficult situations and evolving circumstances
• Demonstrate self-awareness, empathy, and social skills in work and interpersonal interactions
• Ability to give and receive constructive feedback 

• Ability to develop and follow a work plan with minimal supervision

• Familiarity with workforce development, trades training programs, labor unions, policy and/or research is a plus

• Knowledge of and experience working within the political landscape and/or within diverse coalition spaces in Syracuse and/or New York is strongly preferred

• Ability to build and sustain authentic and productive working relationships with colleagues across race and other group identities, including external partners; 
• Ability to continually assess and deepen the commitment of key stakeholders, and workers through regular 1:1s, thoughtful asks, and securing of commitments through effective turnout;
• Maintain a high level of timely follow-up to follow through on commitments – both personal commitments made as well as commitments made by partners, allies and workers;
• Maintain flexibility: be ready to take advantage of unexpected opportunities and adapt quickly to change; 
• Demonstrated self-awareness, empathy, and social skills in work and interpersonal interactions;
• Facilitation skills and ability to move coalition members to shared agreement and action;
• Ability to participate in a culture of honest and direct feedback;
• Ability to work independently and carry out assignments to completion and meet deadlines;
• Experience directly organizing and/or mobilizing workers in an industrial environment;
• Familiarity with GoogleSuite and openness to learning new administrative programs such as BambooHR, Certify and other web based platforms;

• NOTE: This position will require frequent travel to meetings throughout the greater Syracuse region and occasional travel in other regions. 

 

Other Physical Requirements: 

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards. 
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Must be able to talk, listen and speak clearly on telephone with reasonable accommodations 

 

What Else You Should Know ─ Compensation/Benefits: 

• $62,000- $77,000 with annual salary increases
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for the employee and dependents
• Generous paid time off including 12 personal days, 12 federal holidays, and 2 floating holidays each year. JMA has a paid, two week winter break at the end of each December. Staff can accrue up to 20 vacation days and 20 sick days. After 5 years of work, all staff are eligible for 3 months of sabbatical leave.
• 401(k) plan with 5% employer contribution after 6 months of employment
• Flexible spending account (FSA)
• Cell phone reimbursement 
• Utility/Internet monthly stipend for those working from home
• Work from home office set up provided if needed
• Training and professional development opportunities are available upon completion of the probationary period
• A strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices 
• Qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
• JMA is a unionized workplace. This position is included in the collective bargaining agreement. 

 

How to Apply:  

Applicants must include information about their connection to or experience working in Onondaga County or the surrounding region in their application materials. Complete the application form and upload a cover letter, resume, and three work references. Only applications submitted via this process will be considered. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. No phone calls, please. As part of the candidate screening process for this role, applicants may be asked to complete a writing assignment or technical skills assessment. 

 

JMA Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement 

We are an EEO/affirmative action employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. We work to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforce zero-tolerance policies against discrimination and sexual harassment. Those who identify as persons of color, women, veterans, or formerly incarcerated persons, and/or have had experience working with one or more of those groups listed who seek to be part of our coalitions are strongly encouraged to apply.

 

JMA Diversity and Inclusion Statement

JMA believes that diverse, engaged, and motivated employees are essential to achieving our goals of economic, racial, and social justice. JMA believes that each employee's voice is valuable and that when all employees contribute ideas to the organization’s operation, it enhances the success of the organization overall.

In order to assist us in achieving our goals as a diverse and inclusive workforce, we ask that you please complete the optional self-identification questions included in the job application.