Community Organizer - Code Enforcement Outreach Program
Essential Functions
- Work closely and coordinate with the CEOP & La Voz Program Manager on day-to-day tasks and responsibilities with client caseload and follow-ups.
- Conduct client outreach in apartment buildings and/or privately-owned single room occupancy (SROs) residential hotels on habitability issues.
- Work with tenants to improve living conditions in designated Tenderloin and SOMA buildings.
- Educate and assist clients in filing San Francisco Rent Board Petitions.
- Consult with the CEOP & La Voz Program Manager regarding the need to represent clients in habitability related San Francisco Rent Board Petitions, and on a limited basis act as a non-attorney representative at mediations and/or arbitration hearings.
- Oversee and train client volunteers, called Code Enforcement Outreach Workers, in outreaching and door-knocking efforts; create and implement work plans and monitor outreach schedule.
- Provide code enforcement workshops to organizations serving in the Tenderloin and SOMA areas.
- Conduct monthly/bi-monthly tenant rights and habitability trainings for apartment and SRO tenants.
- Collaborate with community-based organizations (CBO) on housing and habitability campaigns.
- Organize meetings in clients' places of residence, as necessary.
- Collaborate and refer cases to DBI, Department of Public Health, and San Francisco Apartment Association, as needed.
- Participate in creating multi-lingual forms, flyers, and informational documents needed for the program.
- Maintain appropriate documentation to demonstrate that all contractual requirements are met. Participate in timely and accurate filing of progress reports required by the funder(s).
- Stay abreast of services and programs being provided by other CBOs and government agencies by fostering working relationships with them.
- Provide referrals to clients and connect them to relevant services offered by CBOs and government agencies.
- Respond to all phone messages, client requests, staff requests, and emails as appropriate and in a timely manner.
- Attend all meetings as scheduled and participate in meetings as requested.
Qualifications
- High School degree required; BA/BS degree preferred.
- Minimum of 1 year of experience working with and on behalf of low-income tenants.
- Commitment to social change through developing leadership in SRO tenants and in low-income residential communities.
- Thorough working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to complete paperwork accurately and write business correspondence.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills.
- Strong working knowledge of mental health and substance abuse issues.
- Ability to read, understand, and apply language from governmental regulations, manuals, policies, technical procedures, and instructions.
- Demonstrated customer service skills.
- Ability to read, communicate orally, and write in English and in one additional language represented widely in the designated Tenderloin and SOMA tenant population (e.g., Spanish, Vietnamese, Cantonese, etc.).
- Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment with excellent attention to detail.
- Must pass all post-contingency offer background checks, reference checks, and TB screening clearances.
- Experience working with diverse, homeless and/or formerly homeless population strongly preferred.
- Experience in the fundamentals of researching, planning, and participating in community campaigns strongly preferred.
- Community organizing experience strongly preferred.
- Experience working in non-profit or public sector preferred.
Required Behavioral Skills & Abilities
- Demonstrates professional behavior consistent with THC's Mission, Core Values, and Customer Service Philosophy.
- Adapts well to change, and remains professional, respectful, and composed at all times.
- Honest, dependable, and accountable.
- Establishes and maintains effective and appropriate relationships and boundaries, and communicates with clients, co-workers, supervisors, and external parties in a manner that fosters respect and trust.
- Exercises good judgment in using and/or keeping information regarding clients and co-workers, and adheres to THC's confidentiality policy.
- Works well independently, collaboratively, and as a team member.
- Follows instructions completely and asks for help and/or guidance from supervisors when needed.
- Good time management skills and punctuality to work, THC meetings, and events.
- Refrains from actions that may result in conflict or may be determined as aggressive, threatening, or violent.
- Takes pride in work and performs all assigned duties diligently, efficiently, and effectively.
Physical Requirements
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 may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently and alternatingly is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, hold, grasp, and feel; reach with hands and arms; talk; and hear. The employee frequently is required to climb stairs; stoop; kneel; crouch; crawl; push; and pull. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. This position requires the frequent use of computer office software and databases, and a multiple-line telephone. Travel throughout San Francisco frequently is required.