Tenant Organizer

ABOUT SAJE

Since 1996, SAJE has been a force for economic justice in Los Angeles. We believe that all people have a right to the city, and that the future of neighborhoods should be decided by those who dwell there. For over 25 years, we have worked side-by-side with our members to improve our community by advocating for tenant rights, healthy housing, and equitable development. We focus on housing policy because it is a root cause of economic and social inequality, shaped by decades of redlining, racial covenants, and most recently, predatory lending and foreclosure practices. Our work seeks to protect vulnerable communities from eviction, lockouts, and harassment, preserve existing affordable housing, and promote the production of additional affordable housing in new construction. Ultimately, our aim is to decommodify housing through the creation of permanent affordable housing, community land trusts, and public and social housing that prioritizes people over profits.

SAJE’s Tenant Organizer is responsible for executing SAJE Membership Development and the Stay Housed LA Program deliverables. The Tenant Organizer will also be expected to support the general SAJE mission, the Anti-Eviction team, and overall goals.

This is a full-time hybrid position. All SAJE employees must be vaccinated against infections and diseases according to the recommendations of medical professionals and the CDC. The following provides a general overview of the activities and responsibilities of the position but does not represent an exhaustive list of job duties.

COMPENSATION

All SAJE staff are expected to work in the office or field at least three days per week. This a hybrid position will require you to work Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in the office and field. Work from home days are typically Monday and Thursday. This is a full-time, hourly position that will average 72 hours per every two-week pay period. The pay for this position is $30.29 per hour and plus benefits (including medical, vision, and dental) with three weeks of vacation for the first year of service (four weeks per year after two years of service) and 13 holidays.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Generally support SAJE in executing SAJE Membership Development and the Stay Housed LA (SHLA) program by conducting outreach, workshops, tenant navigation, and legal referrals; as well as support SAJE’s mission to build and develop the leadership of our members and support overall campaign and advocacy efforts. The focus of the position is on tenant rights through outreach, education, and community organizing. The above will be accomplished with the following responsibilities:

Conduct community outreach. This team member is primarily and consistently in the field connecting with renters through in-person door knocking, eviction court outreach,building canvassing, and to a lesser extent phone banking calls and text banking.

Perform membership recruitment, leadership development and tenant navigation. The Organizer will ensure tenants are connected to services and referrals. This can include but is not limited to, phone calls, in court support (via SAJE and/or in collaboration with the Tenant Empowerment Program), court observation, in person support, etc.

Participate and Support Anti-Eviction pod’s campaigns. Support our pod’s policy advocacy through attending Coalition and campaign meetings, rallies, community meetings, etc.

Conduct tenant engagement and recruitment. This role will engage and recruit tenants, and members to meet general SAJE mission and goals.

Track and report work progress. The Organizer will keep track of work progress following tracker procedures issued by their direct supervisor. Regularly create work plans and reports which will record and document deliverables work, tenant engagement and recruitment.

Lead SHLA workshops. The Organizer will be responsible for:

Planning and developing curriculum for monthly SHLA workshops

Complete workshop outreach to invite tenants to SHLA workshops and follow up to refer tenants to necessary resources

perform the lead facilitation and co-facilitation on Stay Housed LA Workshops.

Participate in SHLA events. This can include but is not limited to in-house and network wide trainings, retreats, collaborations, and events with other SHLA community-based organizations across the City and County.

Participate in SAJE activities. These duties include participating in all SAJE all-staff activities, flyering, door knocking, public comment, and attending SAJE organizational meetings and events.

QUALIFICATIONS

Communicates verbally in English and, if possible, Spanish and other languages.

Preferred: One year of housing/tenant organizing experience

Is able to work a hybrid position in-person at the SAJE office and in the field.

Has basic computer skills and can use software including Excel and database systems and can learn successfully with new software applications.

Has a strong commitment to social justice.

Ability to gain the trust of, motivate, and spark an interest in tenant rights among local residents.

Good presentation, speaking and facilitation skills.

Able to explain complex information and issues in easy-to-understand manner, including ability to use popular-education techniques

Have a valid driver’s license.

Strong interpersonal skills: warm and positive with community members and colleagues ● Flexible in time and mind: there may be weekly evening commitments and work required during the weekend.

Organized and detail oriented; excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work amongst distractions or interruptions and adjust priorities quickly, strong capacity for both independent and collaborative problem-solving.

MUST BE ABLE TO

Stand and walk for long periods of time

Lift weights up to 50 pounds

Carry on appropriate conversations, participate attentively in meetings and trainings, and develop productive professional relationships

Perform a variety of duties even with distractions or interruptions and adjust priorities quickly

MUST BE

Committed to justice

Warm and positive with community members

Flexible in time and mind: there may be weekly evening commitments and work required during the weekend

Organized and detail oriented; excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work, strong capacity for independent and collaborative problem solving

Vaccinated against infections and diseases according to the recommendations of medical professionals and the CDC