Founded in 1964, UPROSE is Brooklyn’s oldest Latino community based organization. Today, UPROSE is an intergenerational, multi-racial, nationally-recognized community organization that promotes the sustainability and resiliency of the Sunset Park community in Brooklyn through community organizing, education, leadership development and cultural/artistic expression. UPROSE’s work encompasses a variety of environmental justice and public health initiatives, from the development of the waterfront and local brownfields, to transportation, open space and air quality needs, to educational and youth empowerment campaigns. UPROSE has achieved multiple groundbreaking accomplishments in community-based planning and development. It has recently increased its focus on the adaptation of Sunset Park to a changing climate and to deepening its community resiliency.

In the wake of Hurricane/Superstorm Sandy community leaders urged UPROSE to help organize them adapt to the changing climate, prepare for the next storm and put the neighborhood on a block-by-block, building-by- building path to sustainability. In response, UPROSE has launched the Sunset Park Climate Justice Center, NYC’s first grassroots-led, bottom-up, climate adaptation and community resiliency planning project. The Climate Justice Center also houses the anti-displacement campaign. Rising rents and a rising cost of living are some of the major concerns of Sunset Park residents and UPROSE members.

UPROSE seeks a Climate Justice Policy & Programs Coordinator to continue to lead this project and manage the continuation of its work plan. The Coordinator will have a deep understanding of climate and environmental justice as well as understand and convey the connection between displacement pressures and environmental and climate justice. The Coordinator will supervise a Climate Justice Organizer and possibly other staff persons as resources become available. The right candidate will have Master’s level training in a relevant discipline (public policy, urban planning, climate adaptation and resiliency, environmental science, etc.) and must have strong analytical skills and the interest/ability to apply analytical techniques across a variety of urban climate justice issues. In addition, this candidate must be able to collaborate well and work on teams, and be able to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders.

This is an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated, creative and experienced individual to engage in innovative grassroots work with national significance. The Coordinator will work under the supervision of the Executive Director. The position requires willingness to work long hours (more than 40+ per week) a flexible schedule including nights and weekends, and travel within the USA. This is a full time position.

Responsibilities include (but are not limited to):

 

Program and Policy

  • Work with the Executive Director to build the Climate Justice Center and manage the implementation of its program

  • Work to implement and develop strategies for climate adaptation projects, and community resiliency efforts

  • Develop and present briefings and position papers on Energy and climate justice related issues

  • Research new technologies, techniques and efforts to address community driven climate adaptation

    efforts

  • Support organizing efforts around community based campaigns

  • Help carry out media strategies to raise awareness about issues and build support for our organizing

  • Assist with fundraising, grant writing and reporting

  • Track and analyze city, state and federal bills of importance to the local CJ community

  • Assist in preparing members for policy and agency meetings as well as policy-related hearings

  • Provide regular updates to stakeholders on progress

  • Represent UPROSE within different local and national alliances and networks

    Administrative

  • Manage administrative systems, files, and member databases

  • Participate in weekly staff meetings, supervision meetings, quarterly staff and/or stakeholder meetings in

    person, and other meetings as assigned/needed

  • Help maintain website and social network sites with current information and program updates

  • Assist with fund development and grant reporting as assigned/needed

  • This is a full time position. The specific work-plan and priority job tasks subject to change based on organizational needs and priorities.

 

Qualifications:

  • Masters Degree in relevant discipline (public policy, urban planning, climate adaptation and resiliency, environmental science, etc.)

  • Demonstrated commitment to and experience working for environmental, social, and climate justice

  • Demonstrated program management experience

  • Excellent writing, analytical and communication skills

  • Demonstrated experience in public policy and related arenas, especially environmental justice policy and analysis

  • Proven experience in coordinating meetings and working with grassroots constituencies

  • Experience and comfort working with intergenerational, community-based organizations and people of color

  • Familiarity (work experience and/or course work) with urban environmental and climate justice issues.

  • Experience working with social movements, interacting with diverse political actors, and ability to represent UPROSE in a variety of settings

  • Alignment with mission, vision and goals of UPROSE, and a strong political commitment to environmental and climate justice principles

  • Experience leading multiple components of a program and campaign from beginning to end

  • Experience facilitating team work and community initiatives

  • Strong relationship skills: ability to generate trust and connection with a wide diversity of people/communities

  • Strong training and mentorship skills, and a commitment to skill-sharing and coaching in grassroots organizations

  • Good research, writing and oral communication skills, including public speaking

  • Experience in developing political analysis that is grounded in local organizing

  • Fluent in second language: Spanish is preferred. Mandarin is a plus

  • Ability to travel nationally, sometimes two times per month and sometimes for a week

  • Self-motivated, high level of self-initiative—proven ability to work independently

  • Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively about organizational development, program design and implementation

  • Adept at trouble-shooting and providing solutions, capacity for empathy and resolving differences

  • Excellent personal organization and time management skills with attention to detail and the ability to multi-task

  • Accountable, open and willing to learn new techniques, ideas, and skills

  • Knowledge of common computer applications, such as word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail, and Internet

 

Desirable:

  • Be a team player, personable, positive, and social individual, with integrity and a sense of humor

  • Be well organized, willing to work diligently and with the flexibility necessary to balance the many

    challenges inherent in a changing and growing organization

  • Valid driver's license

  • Outgoing, engaged and energetic personality

  • Grassroots fundraising experience

  • Database and website management skills

 

To apply, please send the following:

• Resume
• Cover letter which includes: the reasons why you want to join UPROSE, a summary of the skills and experiences you will bring to the role, and name and contact details of three references indicating the capacity in which they know you

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted and position will be open until it is filled. Please send your applications to employment@uprose.org on subject line please put: Climate Justice Policy and Programs Coordinator.

* People of color, indigenous people, women, queer folks, trans and gender non-conforming people strongly encouraged to apply.

Siempre En La Lucha Y Siempre Por Nuestra Gente
166A 22nd Street Brooklyn, NY 11232 (t) 718 492 9307 (f) 718 492 9030 www.uprose.org