County Organizer–Oakland, CA
Organization: Urban Habitat
Job Title: County Organizer
Location: Oakland, CA
Hours and Compensation: 20hrs/week; Pay commensurate with experience.
Application Deadline: May 20
Posted on: May 10
Organization Overview
Urban Habitat (UH) builds power in low-income communities and communities of color by combining education, advocacy, research and coalition building to advance environmental, economic and social justice in the Bay Area. UH applies a critical race and class lens to issues of transportation, housing, land use, planning, community development, and health, and offers a clear vision and agenda for the equitable development of the region.
Description
Transportation Justice
UH believes that an affordable, reliable, and connected public transit system is one of the fundamental building blocks of a healthy region. The Transportation Justice Program works to transform the transportation movement by supporting the leadership development and organizing of the communities that have historically lacked political and economic power in the region. Our vision of transportation justice is based on the following key elements:
- Equitable distribution of transportation benefits throughout the region that address current and historic race and class inequities;
- Accountable decision-makers; and
- Effective leadership from low-income communities and communities of color in transportation decision-making processes.
Land Use & Housing (LUH)
LUH promotes smart growth and equitable development as alternatives to the current policies and practices that have led to gentrification and displacement of low-income families and communities of color in the region. LUH believes that smart growth and equitable development are essential components of a healthy region in which all residents benefit and have access to opportunities such as affordable housing, quality jobs, and effective public transit. LUH ensures that development results in concrete community benefits including affordable housing, local hiring, living-wage jobs, opportunities for locally owned businesses, effective public transit, open space, and meaningful community participation.
The Organizer will play a key role expanding UH’s regional outreach and connections, allowing the organization to successfully engage South Bay partners in regional decision-making around land use, transportation, and climate change. The position’s time will be split across the UH’s Transportation and Land Use and Housing programs, reporting directly to the Director of Transportation but also working closely with Land Use and Housing staff. Within the South Bay, San Jose, including East San Jose, will represent the main geographic area of focus, but there will also be some focus on other key communities where UH has existing relationships like Sunnyvale and East Palo Alto.
This position will augment UH’s subregional capacity & presence, to more deeply engage key regional, sub-regional, and local partners in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties in regional planning by successfully linking local campaigns to regional ones. This includes a particular focus on ensuring that the planning of and implementation of Plan Bay Area (the Regional Transportation Plan and Sustainable Community Strategy) results in stronger social equity outcomes.
Responsibilities
- Under direction of the Transportation & Land Use Program Directors, identify and vet new partners, issues and work with key allies to identify potential TJ and Land Use campaigns as well as deepen UH’s analysis of transportation, environmental and housing justice issues that affect low-income communities and communities of color in the South Bay.
- Support technical assistance provision to key allies in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties to support meaningful community action in the implementation of the Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and the Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS), called Plan Bay Area and mandated by SB375.
- Assist LUH staff in designing and conducting workshops to unite affordable housing and environmental communities around shared Plan Bay Area priorities.
- Collaborate with key existing and new UH partners to integrate South Bay organizations and priorities into regional equity networks organizing around the Plan Bay Area.
- Communicate out the role, successes, and challenges of the Plan Bay Area in advancing regional equity to decision-makers, community organizations, and the general public.
- Other duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree or currently enrolled in a graduate urban planning, environmental sciences, public policy program, or equivalent experience such as campaign organizer or outreach coordinator for advocacy organizations.
- At least one year experience working directly or in a support position for an advocacy campaign at a local, regional, state or federal level.
- Knowledge of and experience working on transportation, land-use, and/or climate change policies and programs; strongly preferable is working knowledge of these issues in the South Bay.
- Excellent written and facilitation skills.
- Strong commitment to issues of environmental, social and economic justice, and to working within a regional, multi-sector, multi-issue framework.
- Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with groups and individuals from different sectors and ethnic backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Volunteer and/or professional experience as a grassroots organizer or coalition builder.
- Multilingual capacity, particularly spoken & written Spanish.
- Familiarity and existing relationships in the South Bay.
How to Apply
Please email a cover letter and résumé to[email protected]by May 20, 2012. The position will be open until filled.
