Position Title: Director
Organization: Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA) - New Settlement
Reports to: Guided by the Director of Organizing at New Settlement
Position: Full-Time, On-site, Exempt
Location : Bronx, New York
Salary: $85,000 - $95,000 depending on experience
About Community Action for Safe Apartments (CASA) - New Settlement
A pioneering not-for-profit affordable housing developer and community programs initiator in New York City, Settlement Housing Fund, Inc. has worked since 1969 to create more than 8,700 apartments through 64 affordable rental and homeownership development projects. Settlement Housing Fund presently owns and maintains 36 buildings containing 1,979 apartments in various locations, with concentrations of housing and programs in the Mt. Eden section of the Bronx, Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the Two Bridges neighborhood on the Lower East Side, as well as at other sites throughout Manhattan. We expect that our portfolio will continue to grow.
The Settlement Housing Fund is equally committed to bringing amenities, programs, and services to the communities we serve through the development and operation of affordable housing. Settlement Housing Fund is the parent organization of The Crenulated Company, LTD dba New Settlement which was created in 1989 with the acquisition of 14 abandoned buildings from the City of New York. New Settlement has evolved into a robust social service organization offering a range of community-based services in education, college access, youth development, arts, workforce development, community organizing, wellness, and other key services that provide important resources to the neighborhood's youth and families.
New Settlement's success has been achieved through close collaboration with a wide range of educational institutions, housing and community development organizations, businesses, youth development, and social service agencies - in the neighborhood, Bronx-wide, across New York, and nationally. The programs at New Settlement are supported by local, state, and federal government agencies, as well as foundations, corporations, organizations, and individuals.
The Role
Guided by the Director of Organizing at New Settlement, the Director will work to strengthen and lead CASA's Tenant Organizing team, campaigns and coalitions; develop and sustain organizational relationships with allies and stakeholders locally in the Bronx; coordinate with the CASA Leadership team; and develop the leadership of campaign members who are committed to housing justice. CASA is seeking a dynamic, mission-driven individual for this role who is deeply committed to social justice, who possesses the flexibility and experience to support advocacy efforts effectively, and who has a passion for team leadership. The ideal hire understands what it takes to build a movement and is prepared to take bold action to transform the quality and affordability of housing in the Southwest Bronx.
Impact Areas
Coalition Leadership and Coordination - 30%
•Plans and manages monthly meetings for CASA Leaders, facilitating discussions on organizational objectives, campaign strategies, and program evaluation.
•Offers mentorship and assistance to CASA Leaders, aiding them in navigating recruitment processes and goal-setting.
•Champions leadership development by organizing and overseeing two annual retreats for planning and assessing collective efforts.
Staff Development and Supervision - 30%
•Assumes responsibility for the overall supervision of CASA staff, including senior members like the Deputy Director, Lead Organizer, and Outreach Coordinator.
•Collaborates with the supervision team to strategize, evaluate, and plan workload distribution.
Offers regular supervision to ensure alignment with work plans and provides feedback on organizing strategies.
•Implements strategies to enhance staff retention, including creating a positive work culture, providing professional development opportunities, and addressing staff needs and concerns.
•Drives professional development through curated coaching content, training sessions, weekly meetings, and quarterly organizational retreats, fostering a culture of continuous learning and growth.
•Spearheads and nurtures a culture of diversity and inclusivity, fostering professional growth and prioritizing self-care among team members.
Tenant Rights Advocacy - 20%
•Steers strategy, recruits members, and coordinates monthly meetings to advance the Eviction Free Bronx and Housing Courts Must Change! campaigns.
•Represents the CASA Coalition in national work at conferences, trainings, and convenings, advocating alongside statewide elected officials to pass tenant rights legislation.
•Participates in NYC Steering Committee meetings, providing advocacy-related insight and feedback that supports sustaining and growing city-wide funding for tenant organizing.
CASA Program Administration - 20%
•Monitors CASA's progress to ensure the fulfillment of deliverables outlined in city contracts, foundation agreements, and bank partnerships.
•Identifies and cultivates potential funding sources, maintains relationships with existing funders, and expands grassroots donor bases.
Collaborates with CASA Leaders to review and manage the organization's budget effectively.
•Oversees CASA's communication efforts, including email campaigns, social media presence, and media/press interactions.
•Manages CASA's documentation and reporting systems, ensuring compliance with contractual obligations and safeguarding participant confidentiality.
•Facilitates relationships with consultants, including interpreters, to support organizational initiatives.
•Performs additional duties as required to support the mission and objectives of CASA New Settlement.
Requirements
•5 years of community organizing; tenant organizing experience is a plus.
•High School diploma or HSE or GED required; bachelor or associate degree preferred.
•Proven dedication to social justice through leadership development and community organizing for change.
•Ability to relate to persons of diverse backgrounds.
•High emotional intelligence and skill in conflict resolution.
•Ability to communicate directly and effectively to diverse audiences, including staff, tenants, and city officials.
•Adept at designing and facilitating training to develop staff and leaders.
•Excellent writing and public speaking skills.
•Spanish fluency, both written and spoken.
•Flexible schedule and ability to support ad hoc work during evenings and weekends.
Employment is at will and employees will undergo 45- and 90-day check-ins during their 90-day probationary period.
Benefits
This is a full-time exempt salaried position. The salary range is $85,000 - $95,000 and is commensurate with experience.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
•The ability to sit, stand, walk, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and telephone to talk and hear.
•The ability to frequently sit and reach with hands and arms.
•The ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
•Must be able to utilize office equipment such as desktop/notebook computers, copiers, printers, scanners, telephones, and calculators.
•The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
New Settlement is an equal-opportunity employer. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation and/or identity, criminal record, marital status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
How to Apply
New Settlement has retained the services of Charity Search Group to coordinate the search for this position. To apply, please complete this online application. If you have questions or need accommodations, please contact Angela-Jo Touza Medina at angela@charitysearchgroup.com or visit www.charitysearchgroup.com