Workers' Rights Organizer - Temporary in New York, New York at 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).

Responsibilities

The Workers' Rights Organizer leads efforts to protect and advance workers' rights through a combination of grassroots organizing, worker outreach, and direct advocacy. The primary focus of this position is community outreach and base-building — recruiting workers for OSHA, SST, and other WJP programs, and identifying and developing worker leaders — with organizing and casework as tools to deepen worker engagement and advance collective power. This position involves frequent street-based outreach at day-labor corners, construction sites, and community events, as well as guiding workers through understanding their rights, filing complaints, and taking collective action to address workplace violations.

The organizer empowers workers to develop a collective voice in addressing labor issues and fighting for better wages, benefits, and working conditions, while also ensuring outreach and program recruitment activities are conducted professionally, culturally sensitively, and consistently with WJP's mission. The role involves engaging with workers, employers, community organizations, and labor and legal entities to advance workforce interests and foster collaboration toward advancing Workers Justice Project's mission and goals.

The ideal candidate aligns with WJP's mission and vision, has experience in community outreach and/or organizing, and demonstrates strong attention to detail in documenting outreach and program activities. Fluency in both English and Spanish is required for this position.

This is a full-time, TEMPORARY position with an anticipated end date of June 2027. Employment beyond June 2027 is dependent on available funding.

Essential Functions

Outreach & Recruitment

• Communicate with workers, mostly in Spanish, about available resources, training opportunities, and WJP's mission.
• Identify and engage target populations and key outreach locations, including day-labor corners, construction sites, and community events.
• Conduct outreach through flyering, canvassing, tabling, personal visits, phone calls, and text messages.
• Recruit workers for OSHA, SST, and other WJP programs, and assist with registrations.
• Provide trainees with information about picking up cards, certificates, and other required materials.
• Respond to participant questions and help resolve issues as needed.
• Accurately document outreach activities, registrations, follow-ups, and worker information in WJP’s contact database.
• Maintain knowledge of NYC neighborhoods and represent WJP professionally in all interactions.

Leadership Development & Organizing

• Identify potential worker leaders and conduct one-on-one conversations to support their development, including referrals to leadership trainings.
• Support workers in developing leadership skills and organizing strategies.
• Develop and implement organizing campaigns.
• Lead committee and worker meetings, and plan and facilitate trainings, assemblies, and direct actions.
• Collaborate with WJP staff across centers and teams to coordinate outreach and organizing efforts.

Education, Partnerships, & Compliance

• Educate workers about labor rights, wage theft, workplace safety, and discrimination.
• Create and facilitate orientation presentations about WJP programs.
• Conduct research on labor laws and industry standards.
• Build and maintain partnerships with government agencies, labor unions, legal advocates, and community organizations 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.

Qualifications

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 is required.
• At least 2-3 years of community organizing experience, preferably with immigrant communities.
• Performs all functions and activities within the guidelines and philosophy set forth in WJP’s Strategic Plan.
• Proficiency knowledge of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word) and other applications (Google Apps.)
• Strong administrative and organizational skills necessary to carry out the job description responsibilities.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Demonstrated initiative and self-direction in pursuing projects and goals.
• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively and work successfully with persons of diverse backgrounds, including people with different racial, ethnic and class backgrounds, people of different genders, and people with disabilities.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities at the same time.
• Dedication and ability to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends.

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.

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

• Requires to work on weekends, plus 3 weekdays.
• 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.
• Able to work a flexible schedule including early mornings, evenings, and/or weekends as needed.
• 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

Location: Work will be primarily performed at the South Slope Worker Center/Hub on-site and occasionally at the Williamsburg Worker Center/Hub and will travel periodically. This position is not eligible for remote work.

Schedule: This is a temporary full-time position with an anticipated end date of June 2027. Employment beyond June 2027 is dependent on available funding. This role requires the ability to work WJP’s regular business hours and the ability to work regularly in the evenings and on weekends.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation: The starting pay range for this position is $30.000-$33.00 per hour and is commensurate with experience.

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 Harvard Pilgrim/Point32Health 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 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.

TSNE/WJP is committed to providing reasonable accommodations throughout the application and hiring process. If you need an accommodation to apply or participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact accommodations@tsne.org. Requests will be handled confidentially and shared only as needed to evaluate and implement the accommodation.