Overview
Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. MRNY operates community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island and White Plains, Westchester County. With a membership of over 25,000, MRNY tackles the critical issues facing our communities, including workplace justice, tenants’ rights, immigrant and civil rights, public education, health care access, policing, and TGNCIQ justice. (TGNCIQ = transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer)
MRNY is a multi-service organization. Our member-led organizing committees – which work on the issues named above – implement strategies to combat shared problems and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. Our health program offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change.
Legal and Support Services at Make the Road New York:
The Department of Legal and Support Services at MRNY works to strengthen the organization’s organizing work by (1) helping to envision and implement leverage strategies (including strategic litigation) that help win our organizing campaigns; (2) providing technical legal support for policy work; and (3) providing legal and support services to high-need immigrant and low-income communities and help meet the immediate needs of MRNY’s members. The Department currently employs approximately 45 attorneys, advocates and case managers. Our legal team is integrated into all aspects of the organization’s work. The Housing & Benefits Team consists of a supervising attorney, three experienced staff attorneys, a housing and benefits advocate, and an intake and outreach paralegal.
Current Opening:
We are currently hiring a Housing and Benefits Advocate, to join the Housing and Benefits legal team. The advocate will assist MRNY clients and members, predominantly low-income Latinx and immigrant New Yorkers, with public benefits and housing issues.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:
- Under the supervision of an experienced attorney, maintain a caseload of public benefits cases, including but not limited to assisting with applications and renewals for public assistance, various forms of critical housing and rental arrears assistance, SNAP (food stamps), and others.
- Conduct preliminary intake with clients both in person and remotely to assess needs and make referrals to other services as required.
- Formal and informal advocacy with government agencies on behalf of clients relating to public benefits and housing matters, including representing clients at Administrative Fair Hearings and filing complaints with city and state agencies.
- Provide housing litigation support where needed, including gathering information about tenants and their living conditions, preparing court-related documents, and communicating with landlords and management companies.
- Collaborate with both attorneys and organizers to support the anti-displacement efforts of the team.
- Assist in community education efforts, including through the creation of written materials, KYR presentations, and popular education workshops.
- Participate in team and department meetings and assist with tracking and highlighting cases as necessary for development and grant reporting.
- Continuous learning regarding movement lawyering (theory and application) as well as other critical concepts that underscore our organizational approach to building power, such as racialized capitalism.
Requirements:
- Eligible to work in the US
- Required to be fully vaccinated with a FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior first day of employment.
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) required
- Interpersonal and organizational skills of the highest caliber.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.
- Must be open to working limited evenings, and able to travel to meet clients where they are.
- Experience with populations that make up major portions of Make the Road’s membership – such as documented and undocumented immigrants, individuals facing domestic violence, members of TGNCIQ communities, those who have experienced the criminal legal system, and youth.
- Interest in work supporting community organizing, campaigns, and policy and advocacy initiatives
Preferences:
We seek but do not require the following:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Experience with and an understanding of public benefits programs.
- Relevant lived experience, including, but not limited to, having been a member of a low-income, immigrant community.
Salary and Benefits:
Starting salary is based on years of experience. Generous package of vacation, personal and sick days. Excellent health and dental coverage and family leave policies. Salary range for this position is $45,099 – $61,859.
How to Apply:
Please apply with a cover letter and resume in Make the Road New York’s career center.
Applications accepted until the position is filled.
MRNY is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse staff. Women, TGNCIQ people, people with disabilities, and BIPOC are strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, disability or marital status.