Senior Field Organizer

Posted on by Ella Weaver

Job Description:

This position is responsible for base building and relationship building among people with lived experience of homelessness and organizations who serve people experiencing homelessness. This position primarily focuses on community outreach to sheltered populations. This position supports organizational campaigns and focuses on strong leadership development, as well as mobilization and will also work to advance racial equity.

About CCH:

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is a 43-year-old systemic advocacy organization. CCH develops campaigns and initiatives to address the causes of homelessness–lack of affordable housing, lack of access to health care and services, and lack of jobs paying a living wage. We place much emphasis on organizing and developing leaders who have experienced homelessness to become spokespersons and leaders of our various initiatives. CCH does its work in accordance with its organizational values – collaboration, integrity, strategic action, compassion, and intersectionality. We recognize that homelessness is a problem that stems from systemic racism and that biases and prejudices are embedded in the fabric of society, and thus, also permeate organizations like ours. CCH is committed to advancing racial equity in the workplace, through the work of our racial equity committee, and through the campaigns and initiatives we choose.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Identify and develop leadership among people with lived experience of homelessness.
  • Guide and develop leaders to gain the skills and knowledge to lead and win campaigns.
  • Develop and maintain a core group of grassroots leaders who are sheltered.
  • Plan, conduct, and execute direct actions.
  • Work as a team member and do work in support of general CCH activities, as requested.
  • Assist with training base members in organizing principles and tactics.
  • Attending all staff and program meetings, as required.
  • Support the growth and training of entry-level organizers.
  • Works in collaboration with all CCH departments—CCH believes strongly in interdepartmental collaboration and expects all staff to work in close partnership with the other departments at the organization.

Qualifications/Skills (This is a mid-level position):

  • Build and maintain a regular schedule of outreach to shelters.
  • Identify and develop leadership among people with lived experience of homelessness.
  • Guide and develop leaders to gain the skills and knowledge to lead and win campaigns.
  • Develop and maintain a core group of grassroots leaders who are sheltered.
  • Plan, conduct, and execute direct actions.
  • Work as a team member and do work in support of general CCH activities, as requested.
  • Assist with training base members in organizing principles and tactics.
  • Attending all staff and program meetings, as required.
  • Support the growth and training of entry-level organizers.
  • Works in collaboration with all CCH departments—CCH believes strongly in interdepartmental collaboration and expects all staff to work in close partnership with the other departments at the organization.
  • Experience working political campaigns and/or in a 501(c)4 structure preferred.

Salary range: $66,528-$69,528

Salary above the base salary is available if the candidate meets one or more of the following criteria – demonstrated second language proficiency ($1,000), lived experience of homelessness ($1,000), and certification in racial equity work ($1,000).

Excellent benefits, including health, four weeks of paid vacation, and a sabbatical program.

All employees should be up to date on vaccination series as indicated by the CDC. The currently approved vaccines under this policy are Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. No vaccine shall be designated unless and until it is fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or approved by the FDA for emergency use authorization. Fully vaccinated means at least two weeks after the final shot in the required timing and dosage (one shot for Johnson & Johnson, two shots for Moderna with 28 days between shots, and two shots for Pfizer with 21 days between shots).

Please send a resume and cover letter to: organizerpositions@chicagohomeless.org with the subject line
“Senior Organizer Position.”

Prospective employees will be expected to comply with this policy within two months of accepting their offer of employment.

The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless believes that personnel diversity is an organizational strength and recognizes and values the intersectional identities that staff members bring to our organization. We are enriched by the diverse experiences, beliefs, and ways of thinking that employees of different backgrounds bring.

People of color and people who have experienced homelessness or poverty are strongly encouraged to apply. Fair consideration is given to all qualified applicants regardless of criminal record. CCH is committed to providing equal employment consideration without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other legally protected status.

More job opportunities beyond “Senior Field Organizer” can be found on our “Jobs & Internships” website page.

Associate Director of Organizing, Strategic Campaigns

Posted on by Ella Weaver

About CCH:

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is a 43-year-old systemic advocacy organization. CCH develops campaigns and initiatives to address the causes of homelessness–lack of affordable housing, lack of access to health care and services and lack of jobs paying a living wage. We place much emphasis on organizing and developing leaders within the homeless population to become spokespersons and leaders of our various initiatives. CCH does its work in accordance with its organizational values: collaboration, integrity, strategic action, compassion, and intersectionality.

Job Purpose:

The Associate Director of Organizing, Strategic Campaigns is responsible for CCH’s city-level strategic organizing campaigns. This position will support and co-develop Chicago organizing staff and help craft overall strategy, as well as lead a planning process with our grassroot base and allied organizations that advance our housing public policy goals. This position also will work to advance racial equity.
Initially, this work will focus on an initiative that brings together key stakeholders to change policies and laws to create a dedicated stream of revenue for affordable housing and services for those experiencing homelessness. The Associate Director will also play a leadership role in establishing and operating a new 501(c)4 companion organization. This position provides leadership on CCH’s organizing team and works in close collaboration with CCH’s policy and legal departments.

Duties Include:

  • Work in close collaboration with the Director of Organizing and the policy department on the development and execution of CCH’s organizing and advocacy campaigns.
  • Provide strategic leadership on 501(c)4 activities, including, but not limited to:
    • Helping lead c4 eligible work,
    • Providing strategic guidance on 501(c)4 allowable activities,
    • Training staff and grassroots leadership on 501(c)4 work,
    • And, in conjunction with CCH’s administrative department, ensuring compliance with relevant rules and regulations.
  • Staff and provide leadership in campaign coalitions.
  • Plan and execute campaign strategy in partnership with other key staff and coalition partners.
  • Promote and facilitate relationships with key current and potential partners.
  • Plan and execute direct actions and other tactics, including the coordination of neighborhood-level
    fieldwork such as canvassing and door knocking.
  • Supervise and mentor staff organizers and grassroots leaders to deepen advocacy skills and political analysis.
  • Help to design and conduct workshops and presentations that prepare base members to lead
    elements of our campaigns.
  • Co-lead the development of a core group of leaders’ engagement in campaign strategy and decision making.
  • Assist with CCH’s community organizing training, which also helps build skills and knowledge of our
    base members and stakeholders.

Qualifications/Skills:
We’re seeking candidates who excel in relationship-building and collaboration, who are results-oriented, strong strategic thinkers, who want to build power, and who have strong project management skills.

  • 5 or more years prior experience leading grassroots organizing or political campaigns
  • Ability to formulate and deliver on short-term and long-term campaign-building goals.
  • Coalition experience and skills in navigating organizational relationships.
  • Experience leading work within a 501(c)4 environment and a strong understanding of related
    rules and regulations.
  • Familiarity with a diverse range of organizing tactics and strategies.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead direct actions and events.
  • Experience supervising organizers.
  • Demonstrated interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to establish and
    cultivate respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Ability to create and facilitate trainings and workshops.
  • Demonstrated ability to stay on task and meet deadlines and goals.
  • Detail oriented and the ability to work independently and in a team environment.
  • Commitment to racial, economic, gender and social justice.
  • Appreciation for work-life balance.
  • Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and VAN.
  • Spanish language skills are a plus.

Salary range: $76,125 -$79,125

Salary above the base salary is available if the candidate meets one or more of the following criteria – demonstrated second language proficiency ($1,000), lived experience of homelessness ($1,000), certification in racial equity work ($1,000).

Excellent benefits, including health, four weeks of paid vacation, and a sabbatical program.

Please send a resume and cover letter to: organizerpositions@chicagohomeless.org with the subject line “Associate Director of Organizing, Strategic Campaigns”
Deadline to apply is November 20th.

As of July 1, 2022, all employees should be up to date on vaccination series as indicated by the CDC. The currently approved vaccines under this policy are Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson and boosters. No vaccine shall be designated unless and until itis fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or approved by the FDA for emergency use authorization. Employees are in compliance with the vaccine mandate two weeks after receiving the last vaccination required to be up-to-date in the series. Timing and dosage (one shot for Johnson & Johnson, two shots for Moderna with 28 days between shots, two shots for Pfizer with 21 days between shots and boosters as they become eligible).

Prospective employees will be expected to comply with this policy within two months of accepting their offer of employment.

The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless believes that personnel diversity is an organizational strength and recognizes and values the intersectional identities that staff members bring to our organization. We are enriched by the diverse experiences, beliefs, and ways of thinking that employees of different backgrounds bring.

People of color and people who have experienced homelessness or poverty are strongly encouraged to apply. Fair consideration is given to all qualified applicants regardless of criminal record. CCH is committed to providing equal employment consideration without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or any other legally protected status.

More job opportunities beyond “Associate Director of Organizing, Strategic Campaigns” can be found on our “Jobs & Internships” website page.

Legal Fellowship

Posted on by Vanessa Álvarez

Job Description: The Law Project of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless seeks a candidate to sponsor for an Equal Justice Works fellowship beginning in the fall of 2024 to expand legal services for those experiencing street homelessness and to provide legal services in housing law while working to advance racial equity.  

Chicago Coalition for the Homeless is a 43-year-old systemic advocacy organization. CCH develops campaigns and initiatives to address the causes of homelessness – lack of affordable housing, lack of access to health care and services and lack of jobs paying a living wage. We place much emphasis on organizing and developing leaders within the homeless population to become spokespersons and leaders of our various initiatives. CCH does its work in accordance with its organizational values – collaboration, integrity, strategic action, compassion, and intersectionality. We recognize that homelessness is a problem that stems from systemic racism and that biases and prejudices are embedded in the fabric of society, and thus, also permeate organizations like ours. CCH is committed to advancing racial equity in the workplace, through the work of our racial equity committee, and through the campaigns and initiatives we choose.  

The Law Project is a program of CCH that provides free legal services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The Law Project’s work includes educational rights, public benefits, criminal records relief, family law, access to identification documents and other areas of legal need. 

A successful fellowship candidate will: 

  •  Develop a project that will address the unmet legal needs of individuals and families experiencing homeless, including:  
  • Advocating for people experiencing street homelessness to be connected to permanent housing opportunities 
  • Monitor street cleanings and other actions in locations where people are living on the street to ensure that people’s property and rights are protected 
  • Providing other legal services to those experiencing street homelessness, including access to identification documents and public benefits, including social security disability benefits; and 
  • Housing advocacy, including representing individuals at-risk of homelessness in eviction proceedings and other landlord-tenant issues to promote housing stability. 
  • Other advocacy activities, including know-your-rights presentations. 
  • Ensure the project recognizes and articulates the racial disparities and overrepresentation of Black and Brown people in the population of those experiencing homelessness and the eviction systems and the urgency and importance of addressing those inequities.  
  • Conduct regular legal clinics and community outreach at locations where people experience street homelessness, shelters, drop-in centers and other community venues to connect with clients and to further the goals of the project.  
  • Develop and implement strategies to address systemic issues and barriers related to the project.  
  • Create public education and advocacy materials related to the project, including materials inclusive of non-English speakers and for individuals who use different mediums to obtain information.  
  • Participate in local and state-level coalitions and campaigns to promote policies and laws to reduce barriers to accessing housing and services for individuals experiencing homelessness, including street homelessness. 
  • Develop and conduct trainings for community members, attorneys and other professionals.   
  • Work to implement racial equity and trauma-informed care within their practice. 
  • Work in collaboration with all CCH departments—CCH believes strongly in interdepartmental collaboration and expects all staff to work in close partnership with the other departments at the organization. 

Qualifications: 

Required: 

  • J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 2024 with plans to take the Illinois Bar Exam in the summer of 2024 
  • Demonstrated commitment to social justice, racial equity and public interest law  
  • Experience working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds  
  • Experience or a commitment to working in communities impacted by poverty and a desire to spend a significant amount of time out in the community providing legal services and engaging in outreach 
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and work to advance racial equity 
  • Self-direction and self-motivation and the ability to work independently 
  • Strong research and writing skills 

To Apply: Please send a resume and cover letter detailing your proposed project, including why the issue is important to you and how the proposed project will a) address an unmet legal need among people experiencing homelessness, b) advance racial equity, c) center the voices of people experiencing homelessness, and d) enhance and complement CCH’s current work.  Please send all fellowship application materials to Patricia Nix-Hodes at lawproject@chicagohomeless.org. Please put “Fellowship” in the subject line.  

Application deadline is Friday, August 25, 2023.  

All employees should be up to date on vaccination series as indicated by the CDC. The currently approved vaccines under this policy are: Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. No vaccine shall be designated unless and until it is fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or approved by the FDA for emergency use authorization.   Fully vaccinated means at least two weeks after the final shot in the required timing and dosage (one shot for Johnson & Johnson, two shots for Moderna with 28 days between shots, and two shots for Pfizer with 21 days between shots). 

 
Prospective employees will be expected to comply with this policy within two months of accepting their offer of employment. 
 

The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless believes that personnel diversity is an organizational strength and recognizes and values the intersectional identities that staff members bring to our organization. We are enriched by the diverse experiences, beliefs, and ways of thinking that employees of different backgrounds bring. 

People of color and people who have experienced homelessness or poverty are strongly encouraged to apply. Fair consideration is given to all qualified applicants regardless of criminal record. CCH is committed to providing equal employment consideration without discrimination on the basis of race, sex, disability, religion, national origin, ancestry, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, any other legally protected status.