Job Description: Full Time
Housing and Wages Organizer–2023
Just Economics is seeking a full time Housing and Wages Organizer in Asheville, NC to support our work advocating for more affordable housing, better wages, and improved working conditions.
Just Economics of Western North Carolina (JE) is a regional, membership organization based in Asheville, NC. Our mission is to educate, advocate, and organize for a just and sustainable economy that works for all in Western North Carolina. JE was born out of the Asheville-Buncombe Living Wage Campaign, an effort that began in 2000, but took root in 2006. Our work has grown to include policy advocacy, grassroots community engagement, and employer certification. We have identified living wages/improved working conditions, affordable housing, and better transit as key issues we are working to advance. Just Economics is committed to centering the voice of people most impacted by the issues we are working to change.
Buncombe County has disproportionately high costs of housing in comparison to relatively low wages and Just Economics has prioritized the connection between housing and wages. This position would organize alongside workers and people struggling with the lack of affordable housing and develop actionable plans for systemic change related to affordable housing and living wages/improved working conditions.
Primary Responsibilities:
Housing Advocacy:
- Develops and supports a network of tenants and people struggling with the lack of affordable housing
- Facilitates meetings of the Affordable Housing Strategy Team and works with this committee to develop actionable plans for system change
- Contributes to policy and strategy conversations related to affordable housing
- Oversees the implementation of the Centralized Rental Application
Worker Advocacy:
- Acts as the convener/connector for the WNC Workers’ Assembly, facilitating meetings, maintaining contacts, and working with committees to plan education, events, and activities
- Supports worker organizing efforts related to our mission and vision
- Works with the members of Just Economics to engage workers and their allies in support of worker friendly policy like raising the minimum wage and other systemic change efforts
Relationship Building and Maintenance:
- Conducts outreach and develops new ways to reach impacted people
- Builds relationships through one-on-one meetings and regular communication with members, low-wage workers, and low-income people with the intention of strengthening the movement for economic justice
Workshop Development/Facilitation:
- Helps develop tools such as workshops and printable materials to better engage grassroots members of our community in public decisions that impact their lives
General JE Staff:
- Contributes to team efforts and a broad range of programs to build a sustainable local economy
Professional Development:
- Continues to build professional skills by attending trainings and taking advantage of other professional development opportunities
Desired skills and experiences: (candidates are not required to have all of the following desired skills and experience)
-Commitment to the mission of Just Economics,
– Experience w/ nonprofit work, labor organizing, anti-poverty work, or grassroots social change
– Community organizing and workshop facilitation experience
-Experience working with low-income people and in communities of color.
– Understanding of generational and systematic oppression & economics/labor history
– Understanding of local community—challenges and assets
-Computer proficiency–specifically google docs and the microsoft suite including word, outlook, and excel. Experience with databases is a plus.
– Self-motivated and self-starting, yet able to work well with others
– Good interpersonal and oral communication skills
-Well-organized, attention to detail
– Flexible schedule, willing to work nights and weekends when required, bilingual in English-Spanish a plus but not required, Bachelor’s degree a plus but not required
Supervision:
The Housing and Wages Organizer reports to and is supervised by the Executive Director, who conducts annual evaluations and routine check-ins.
Location:
This position will work out of the Just Economics’ office in Asheville, North Carolina
Compensation and Benefits:
Base Salary $44,720 plus quarterly benefits checks bringing the compensation package to $47,840/year with the opportunity for performance bonuses. This position also offers paid time off, a flexible schedule, and monthly phone stipend.
To Apply: Fill out the form and upload your resume by March 29th here: https://forms.gle/VK7hHiiuAuQvKSLk6
