Field Organizer, Initiative on Migration, Race, and Environment

Center for New Community



Position Announcement



Field Organizer, Initiative on Migration, Race, and Environment


The Center for New Community is a national organization committed to building community, justice, and equality. The Center seeks a full-time Field Organizer for its new Initiative on Migration, Race, and Environment, which will expose and counter the bigotry and racism manifest in the anti-immigrant movement and its strategic use of environmental issues, climate change, and resource allocation conflicts to restrict immigration. The Initiative will strengthen the base capacity of environmental and related progressive organizations to override the anti-immigrant movement’s attempts to use environmental issues as a political wedge to defeat immigration reform efforts at the national and state levels, and to counter current or emerging anti-immigrant influence in their ranks.



The Center for New Community has been instrumental in protecting the civil and human rights of groups throughout the U.S. since its inception. In response to the growth of anti-immigrant activity, the Center been engaged with organizations across the country to stem the impact of the white nationalist, anti-immigrant movement. This Initiative furthers the Center’s long-term commitments in this regard, within the framework of its concerns about the racial structure and dynamic of forced migration as a result of environmental challenges and climate change.





Responsibilities


1. Build critical working relationships with key, national, state, and local environmental organizations and leaders to advance their positions on progressive migration policies and issues.

2. Organize and staff regional and national meetings of environmental organizations on migration, race, and environment issues, and develop leaders to speak to those issues in public venues.

3. Work with the Center’s Which Way Forward staff to advance Initiative goals with African American leaders, organizations, and media, and in the environmental justice movement.

4. Develop and implement strategies to address migration, race, and environment issues in print and electronic media.

5. Work with the Center’s Director of Operations and Communications to develop effective Web 2.0 strategies to advance the Initiative.

6. Coordinate with Center staff colleagues in developing and implementing local and national organizing strategies and responses to counter anti-immigrant activity linked to environment and resource issues.

7. Build working relationships with national and international organizations addressing forced and/or voluntary migration of peoples due to climate change.

Complete all reports on project activities to the National Field Director and to funding agencies.
Participate in Center for New Community staff meetings, and maintain regular communication with the National Field Director and with the Executive Director.
Assist in developing sustainable funding strategies for the Initiative.
All other duties as assigned.


Requirements


At least four years of community or other organizing experience.
Demonstrated oral, written, and computer literacy skills.
Knowledge of migration issues and realities.
Knowledge of environmental issues and organizations, and with the intersections of environmental issues and race.
A fundamental understanding of race and racism in American society.
A collegial style grounded in listening and in collaborative working relationships, and creative, visionary leadership skills.
Ability to work internally and externally in a diverse, ethnic, and multi-racial environment.
Ability to work independently and to plan, coordinate and carry out many tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
Willingness to travel extensively is a must.




Location and Travel


The position will be based in the Center for New Community national office in Chicago, Illinois. The candidate for this position must be willing to travel extensively and to spend considerable time on the road.





Salary and Benefits; Starting Date


Starting salary for this position is competitive within the non-profit field, and is commensurate with qualifications and experience. A generous Flexible Benefits program is provided, along with vacation and holidays, and an annual pension contribution following the first year of employment. Starting date is early fall 2009.



Application procedure and Deadline


Send resume or vita, cover letter indicating interest in and qualification for the position, a writing sample, and three references electronically to amy@newcomm.org by August 20, 2009.



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The Center for New Community is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates for employment will be considered without regard to race or ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, marital status or sexual orientation. Women and persons of color are encouraged to apply.





Center for New Community

PO Box 479327

Chicago, Illinois 60647



www.newcomm.org

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