COMMUNITY EDUCATION SPECIALIST AND TENANT ORGANIZER

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Job location
60 Popieluszko Court
Hartford, CT 06106
United States
Organization information
Organization name: 
Connecticut Fair Housing Center
Street address: 
60 Popieluszko Court
City: 
Hartford
State: 
Connecticut
ZIP: 
06106
Job type: 
Legal - Civil
Position Description: 

The Connecticut Fair Housing Center seeks an individual to conduct community education and assist with tenant organizing. Even before COVID-19, nearly 20,000 evictions a year were filed in Connecticut, a substantial majority of which were for non-payment of rent. This year, because of a global pandemic, we will likely see eviction numbers twice or three times as high. The Center seeks an individual with a commitment to civil rights work relating to race and housing justice provide community education and assistance to tenants who are organizing to prevent displacement.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

• Build internal working group to guide tenant organizing and mass eviction defense work;
• Work with the attorney assigned to the project to develop a workplan and goals to be accomplished;
• Support efforts by tenants to organize against the impending eviction crisis and the government’s inadequate response;
• Provide information and education to tenants in danger of eviction on the fair housing laws, tenant assistance programs, and the eviction process;
• Work with tenant groups and coalitions to determine how to fight evictions both through the courts and through organized efforts that do not rely on the court system;
• Develop strategies to assist tenants with the state’s rental assistance programs and bring any problems or discriminatory impact caused by the programs to the attention of attorneys at the Center;
• Create a multilingual organizer/advocate toolkit that explains the effect the COVID-19 crisis has had on landlord-tenant laws and evictions, guidance on process for applying for rental assistance and appealing a denial;
• Assist tenants with legislative advocacy, including gathering legislative testimony and, where requested, help with drafting proposed legislation;
• Currently CFHC staff is working remotely with laptops and other equipment supplied by the organization. We expect all staff to work in the office when the current public health crisis ends.

Requirements: 

• Two years of post-high school education and 2 years of directly related experience OR 4 years of directly related experience;
• Exceptional interpersonal skills; proven ability to cultivate relationships with and establish networks among a diverse set of stakeholders, including clients, partner organizations, community groups, etc.;
• Spanish-speaking ability strongly preferred;
• Bi-lingual and/or bi-cultural individuals are strongly encouraged to apply;
• Excellent communication skills; public speaking/training experience strongly preferred;
• Demonstrated interest in and passion for combating housing discrimination or other civil rights violations, or related issues;
• Ability to work independently and take initiative;
• Ability to collaborate well with others;
• Proficient in Word and Excel; experience with other relevant software programs and with managing social media accounts and/or websites helpful.
• Must be willing and able to travel throughout CT for meetings, trainings, and other events (mileage reimbursed) if this can be done safely.

To apply: 

Send resume and cover letter to: Letty Ortiz, Administrative Assistant at [email protected]. Please include the names and addresses of three people who can act as references. We will not contact any references without speaking to you first. Please do not call.

Notes: 
Equal Opportunity Employer The benefits package includes health care, retirement, life insurance, flexible scheduling, and substantial paid leave.
Salary range: 
Between $48,000 - $63,000 depending on experience for a 35-hour work week.
Submission deadline: 
Thursday, August 20, 2020