Description
The Director of Community Organizing is a 3/4-time (30-32 hours per week), permanent position with RightRides for Women's Safety (RRWS) a growing grassroots organization whose mission is to build safer communities by eliminating gender-based harassment and sexual assault. The primary function of this position is to direct the New Yorkers for Safe Transit (NYFST) coalition. NYFST will increase mass transportation equity for women, LGBTQ individuals, low-income individuals and communities of color, with goals of community education, community mobilizing and pursuing policy change, all through a coalition effort with community members and other grassroots, civic and community-based groups. Learn more about the New Yorkers for Safe Transit Coalition at www.NYFST.org

Responsibilities:
The Director is primarily responsible for the strategic oversight and management of the New Yorkers for Safe Transit Coalition, increasing engagement within priority communities, pursuing and securing community partnerships and relevant public communications to further Coalition objectives and overall mission of RRWS. The Director is a key part of a cross-functional leadership team comprising other Directors. Additional duties include fundraising to support the Coalition and RRWS organization as a whole, as well as strategize and lend support to the community organizing efforts for the RightRides program as needed.

* In conjunction with coalition partners, conduct meetings and educational workshops with community groups and constituents to raise awareness of NYFST, promote transit safety and determine community safety needs in various NYC communities. Gather responses to increasing transit safety in communities, with a goal of strengthening and improving safety education efforts. Empower community action and responses to end gender-based violence in mass transit.

* Foster new relationships with nonprofit allies, groups, institutions and elected officials while building upon existing relationships with community partners and civic groups, in order to further NYFST efforts.

* Represent the Coalition and the organization in various public speaking engagements including to key community networks, alliances, civic groups, along with other relevant settings such as fundraising events and to the general public, in order to promote NYFST and other strategic goals.

* Direct and oversee the work of interns who will schedule monthly NYFST Coalition meetings as well as Outreach Days, track members, Coalition objectives and deliverables. Provide leadership by facilitating meetings. Pursue management tasks related to NYFST objectives and ensure interns follow up with members and partners in completing outstanding tasks.

* Collaborate with staff and interns to support community organizing and program fundraising efforts across all programs.

* Communicate with staff and interns regarding NYFST activities with a weekly check-in meeting, plus prepare quarterly narrative and database driven reports for the Board of Directors.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must have community organizing and/or coalition-building experience within NYC. Ideally, candidates will also have experience working within the gender-based and anti-violence areas and/or with marginalized populations such as low-income, LGBTQ, communities of color and similar groups.

Must possess ability to take independent initiative to set program objectives and reach goals while also working as part of a coalition. Must have excellent communication (active listening, writing, speaking) skills with experience representing organizations and programs to the public.

Successful candidates will also possess staff/intern management experience, strong attention to detail, ability to manage complex tasks, be highly organized, dependable, be able to prioritize competing demands in order to meet deadlines.

Demonstrate interest in furthering the organization’s mission and program objectives. Demonstrate sensitivity and appreciation for diverse viewpoints and different communication styles in a culturally diverse environment

English fluency sought with fluency in an additional language preferred. Must have high-level of computer literacy on PC/Windows platform utilizing all of the following tools: Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet research.

Willingness to work additional hours, nights and/or weekends occasionally, as needed.

Qualifications:
Credentials and Experience

Bachelor's Degree with relevant course work in communications, community organizing, public relations, sociology, Women’s and/or LGBTQ studies. Advanced degree preferred.

*Salary range (annual, U.S. $43,000 - 48,000-DOE)

*Benefits - medical, dental, vision, partial gym reimbursement and other pre-tax flex benefits.

*We have a casual, yet professional working environment and offer staff the opportunity to create a flexible schedule

Preferred:
This position requires a self-starter, with creative approaches to community organizing, outreach and program management. Successful candidates will be comfortable with public speaking, leading workshops and presentations to diverse audiences.

We seek leaders who are comfortable taking independent initiative, with strong work ethics, demonstrated abilities to support and manage program objectives and with initiative to self-identify, start and complete tasks.

HowTo Apply:
Submit ALL of the following: a cover letter indicating interest in position, a resume, writing sample (no more than 2 pages) and 3 professional references (direct supervisors) via email to:

jobs@rightrides.org

with the subject: “Director, Community Organizing”.

Please note only .doc and .pdf attachments will be accepted.

Deadline to apply is February 24, 2012, yet position may be filled sooner and candidates are encouraged to apply early. Please no phone calls or faxes. Only candidates under consideration will be contacted, please do not inquire about the status of your application.