Job Description
Community Organizer
New Jersey Institute for Social Justice
Newark, NJ
The New Jersey Institute for Social Justice (the "Institute") is a cutting-edge racial justice
organization that works to empower people of color by building reparative systems that create
wealth, transform justice and harness democratic power - from the ground up - in New Jersey.
The Institute employs a broad range of advocacy tools to advance our ambitious racial and social
justice agenda, including research, analysis and writing, public education, grassroots organizing,
communications, development of pilot programs, legislative strategies and litigation.
Using a holistic approach to address the unique and critical issues facing New Jersey’s communities
of color, the Institute advocates for systemic reform that is at once transformative, achievable in
the state and replicable in communities across the nation. We continue to serve as a leading voice
in designing, advocating for and implementing solutions to the systemic racism that has pervaded
the Garden State and our nation.
Overview
The Community Organizer will plan and implement strategies to mobilize community members,
supporters, system-impacted individuals, volunteers, organizations and the general public to
help achieve the Institute’s goals and mission. This person will play an important role in
developing an organizing strategy aimed at building power at the community, state and, at times,
national levels to secure transformational wins and grow the organization’s impact. The
Community Organizer will advocate fiercely to ensure that the voices of community members
most impacted by the Institute’s work are included in campaign work, strategic planning,
community organizing and outreach strategies.
Reports To: Senior Community Organizer
Roles and Responsibilities:
The Community Organizer will be responsible for the following activities/actions:
• Help execute programmatic functions and monitor implementation of the Institute’s
strategic vision for community engagement—including the integration of advocacy,
legislative initiatives, policy goals, public education and targeted campaigns.
• Ensure smooth planning, running, and tracking of community organizing activities, including
advocate councils, legislative testimonies, building community groups/databases, events,
et al.
• Develop and host various organizing and advocacy trainings for diverse audiences.
• Offer organizing support and expertise to help achieve legislative, advocacy, and program
wins, and build grassroots organizing power to advocacy and coalition building efforts.
• Build strong, trusted and authentic relationships with community members and partner
organizations.
• Collaborate with local, state and national partners to achieve legislative and advocacy goals.
• Identify members of New Jersey’s communities who are impacted by – or will otherwise
support – our work and mission and mobilize and empower them to support our campaigns
in various ways.
• Act as a public spokesperson for the Institute on racial and social justice issues, engage in
public speaking and participate in public education activities to articulate the Institute’s
views on a broad range of racial and social justice issues to the public and various
stakeholder constituencies.
• Collaborate with the communications team to create public education and advocacy
materials, such as flyers, graphics, social media content, op-eds, advocacy alerts and to
develop partnerships with outside organizations to strengthen and expand the Institute’s
footprint and brand.
• Work with the Program Directors to incorporate community organizing and field
organizing into all program campaigns.
• Develop and manage special projects and initiatives, when appropriate.
• Act as a thought partner and collaborative teammate with other Institute staff and model
values of an inclusive and respectful workplace, fostering the same in the staff.
Qualifications:
The Institute is seeking an ambitious and dedicated Community Organizer with experience in
organizing and coalition building, as well as a track record of strategic development of long-term
policy plans. The successful candidate will have a strong track record in driving a vision within a
complex and multi-faceted program and be able to work well in a fast-paced environment.
This position requires the highest integrity, sound judgment and strong communication skills. Given
the interconnected nature of the Institute’s work, an ideal candidate must also be able to
effectively work in a highly-collaborative team environment.
The successful candidate will also have:
• A minimum of three years of experience.
• A Bachelor’s degree is strongly preferred.
• Significant racial justice and racial discrimination advocacy.
• Ideal candidates will have racial justice experience, either through personal connection and
history or through work experience, with people harmed by structural racial discrimination.
• An ability to develop and implement multi-faceted campaigns that include community
organizing, public education, advocacy and media outreach.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse coalitions and community groups, particularly of
color, and to work across political ideology, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic circumstances,
religion, gender, sexual orientation and religion.
• Passion for, and knowledge of, racial and social justice, and a familiarity with the work and
mission of the Institute.
• Ability to listen, coach, shepherd and support people to achieve shared goals.
• Excellent research and writing skills; superior attention to detail; ability to work on multiple
projects simultaneously; good problem-solving skills; and a positive, professional attitude
with excellent judgment, flexibility, determination and grace in a sometimes high-pressure
office.
• Integrity, honesty and a balanced, non-partisan approach.
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills.
• The ability to work effectively in a collaborative context, both internally and externally.
• Sophistication about public policy and an intellectual curiosity.
• Valid NJ driver’s license, access to an automobile and acceptable driving record is required.
• A willingness to work nights and weekends, as needed, for organizing activities.
Compensation:
This is a full-time, exempt, and at-will position. Salary is commensurate with experience. This is a
grant-funded position with an annual salary range of $55,000 - $65,000.
Benefits:
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Eligible from day one with 85% employer
contribution.
• Employer-Paid Life Insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) – Includes medical, commuter, and dependent care plans.
• Medical Reimbursement Plan.
• 401(k) Plan – Eligible after 90 days of employment with a 3% safe harbor contribution.
• Generous Paid Time Off – Vacation, sick, personal, and holiday leave.
Application Process:
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. To be considered, please
submit a cover letter, resume, one professional writing sample (demonstrating different styles) for
which you are the primary author, a completed applicant assessment, and three professional
references (full name, job title, phone number, and email address). Attach all required documents
to this job posting.
For inquiries, please contact our recruitment team at recruitment@njisj.org, ensuring that you
reference the specific position in your email.
About the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice:
The Institute’s mission is to empower urban residents to realize and achieve their full potential.
Established in 1999 by Alan V. and Amy Lowenstein, the Institute’s dynamic and independent
advocacy is aimed at toppling load-bearing walls of structural inequality to create just, vibrant, and
healthy urban communities. We employ a broad range of advocacy tools to advance our ambitious
urban agenda, including research, analysis and writing, public education, grassroots organizing,
communications, the development of pilot programs, legislative strategies, and Litigation.
***The Institute is an equal opportunity employer, and we encourage applications from all
qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender
identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, di
Job Tags
Holiday work, Full time, Work experience placement, Local area, Flexible hours, Night shift, Weekend work,