YOUTH ORGANIZER
Background
Citizens Committee for New York City is committed to the notion that people can
make important change happen on their streets and in their neighborhoods by
working together. For 30 years, we have strived to provide New Yorkers the
resources and assistance they need to do just that. We also recognize that New
York City’s young people play a crucial role, not just as future leaders, but as
community leaders now. With training and support, youth can galvanize
community action around urgent issues. Passionate, committed young people
draw serious attention from neighbors, grassroots leaders and elected officials,
and can bring a community together to make change while adding a fresh
perspective to ongoing challenges.
As Citizens Committee for New York City organizes grassroots groups and
residents at the neighborhood level, we also work to organize young people
(usually partnering with the groups that serve them such as their schools, CBOs
and service providers). We facilitate partnerships between young people and
grassroots groups. In this model, young people plan and implement a community
improvement project in conjunction with a grassroots group, and both youth and
groups receive a stipend for the project. These projects are part of a
neighborhood wide organizing strategy, supporting a larger project managed by a
coalition of grassroots groups. In this way, participating youth will build new
relationships with other young people as well as adults from the neighborhood.
Our overall goal is simple: people form grassroots groups and coalitions that
effectively improve civic life in their neighborhood, and in the process do things
such as beautification projects, grassroots youth engagement and service
learning work, anti-violence and public safety projects, farmers markets, theater
projects, etc. Citizens Committee is committed to building sustainable,
independent, long-term civic networks of leaders (both adults and young people)
who can rally the community to solve local problems, and forcefully advocate for
external resources when challenges demand it.
Job Description
The youth organizer position requires someone with self-confidence, initiative, an
open-minded outlook, and ease in varied social situations and community
environments—someone with a “use-of-self” that persuades people without being
manipulative. S/he must recognize when conflict is a necessary and healthy
aspect of progress, and engage well with social groups regardless of age, race,
class and country of origin. S/he must be comfortable communicating with youth
on their terms, showing leadership, authority and support as well as
understanding of the social stressors and demands on young people in low-
income communities. S/he should promote youth development through a
strengths-based approach. S/he must have the ability to break complicated
projects down into discrete tasks on a timeline with projected outcomes as part of
a larger strategy. S/he must be able to convey a larger strategic vision to young
people by linking their projects, such as beautification, with community-wide
social justice themes, such as self-determination and neighborhood improvement
through sustained collective action. Finally, s/he must demonstrate a passionate
commitment to social justice, and to the notion that young people can play
important leadership roles in civic life.
Primary Responsibilities
Function well as part of a team of organizers that shares strengths and
maintains consistent standards in the field
Identify and partner with local groups such as CBOs, youth service providers,
grassroots groups, and city agencies
Develop and maintain communication with a broad coalition of grassroots
groups
Coordinate youth meetings and forums
Facilitate youth participation in a collective decision-making processes
Help youth groups identify issues to address that are realistic, with attainable
goals, that promote wider youth involvement
Design and conduct youth leadership and life skills training, catered to
specific community needs
Organize and supervise youth trainers for youth-led workshops.
Integrate youth organizing with long-term, community-driven policy change
efforts
Represent Citizens Committee for New York City and advocate for the
community with media and government agencies
Evaluate program using measurable outcomes, tracking both youth
development outcomes such as drop our rates and level of civic engagement,
and project outcomes, such as successful management of a community
market or beautification project.
Qualifications
Community organizing experience preferred. Minimum of 2 years experience
working with youth. Ability to work effectively with young people from diverse
backgrounds. Understanding of Youth Development principles. Extensive
experience in training, curriculum design and delivery preferred. Community
organizing experience are strongly preferred. Applicant must work well both
collaboratively and independently. Organization, written and verbal
communication skills and proficient in MS Office a must. Spanish speaking a
plus. Flexible schedule with ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
100% Full Time
Salary: $45,000
Contact:
Debra Sheldon; Director of Programs
dsheldon@citizensnyc.org
Fax: 212-989-0983