Overview

Overview

The Bronx Defenders (BxD) – an innovative, progressive, holistic indigent defense office in the South Bronx – seeks a passionate community organizer with a commitment to social justice to fill a position as a Community Engagement Associate.

Founded in 1997, The Bronx Defenders is a public defender nonprofit that has developed a nationally recognized model of representation called holistic defense, which provides people with teams of lawyers, social workers, and advocates to defend them zealously in court as well as to address the underlying drivers and enmeshed penalties of legal system involvement.

Since opening our doors, we have grown into an organization of more than 400 staff members defending nearly 20,000 New Yorkers each year in criminal, family, civil, and immigration proceedings who face incarceration, family separation, eviction, and deportation, among other devastating consequences.

Today we are reimagining the role of public defense even further, using community organizing and engagement, legislative advocacy, and impact litigation to partner with the communities we represent to bring about long-lasting systemic change.

We also share our model and lessons learned with current and future public defenders. We run two legal clinics at NYC law schools and train public defenders from one end of the country to the next on how to move to a holistic model of representation.

Community Engagement

The Bronx Defenders is committed to supporting and partnering with the communities we represent. By working in coalition with Bronx-based community leaders, we are contributing skills, expertise, and resources to bring about a world where Bronx residents are free from harmful legal entanglement and able to thrive.

Responsibilities

The Community Engagement Associate plays a central role in advancing BxD’s community outreach, coalition-building, and program coordination efforts. This role requires someone with a deep connection to the New York City community who can help shape The Bronx Defenders’ reach and engagement with the Bronx community and those impacted by carceral systems. The major components of the role include Mobility Labs, also known as the Bronx Leadership & Organizing Center, partnership with the NYC Civic Engagement Commission Initiative, The People’s Money, and coordination of Bronx Defenders Know Your Rights trainings and events.

  • Assist with the project management of the Mobility Labs initiative, BLOC, a coalition of organizations and community members working together to address issues of economic mobility by using a community organizing framework
  • Assist with the coordination of BLOC’s Community Action Council, the youth programming arm of BLOC that trains young people in community leadership and organizing and lead the planning of the Annual Youth Justice Summit.
  • Support The People’s Money, a participatory budgeting initiative that engages residents in identifying and implementing neighborhood programs and services designed to address persistent community challenges.
  • Coordinate and facilitate community workshops, and prepare administrative reports to capture program data, including evaluations, leadership development outcomes, and purchases.
  • Coordinate Know Your Rights trainings, including fielding requests from local organizations and community groups interested in hosting training; identifying trainers, and maintaining a record of all training conducted.
  • Attend meetings and events with community
  • based organizations that are stakeholders in social justice and community organizing work to network, build relationships, understand community issues and identify possible areas for collaborations
  • Support and coordinate community-focused events, such as the Annual Block Party and Thanksgiving Dinner, Community outreach (street canvassing, door knocking, tabling etc.)
  • Work with the Policy team to advance and support BxD policy initiatives including attending events and increasing awareness in the community
  • Travel outside of the office to various areas of the Bronx to attend meetings, community events and conduct community outreach.

Qualifications

To be eligible for this position, candidates must have:

  • 2–10 years of directly relevant experience in community-based organizations, grassroots campaigns, outreach, or coalition-building
  • Prior community organizing experience
  • Experience developing and facilitating community workshops with residents or community-based organizations
  • Experience working with high-school aged youth including recruitment, engagement and leadership development
  • Experience organizing and leading community events including working with community leaders to achieve event goals
  • Experience conducting community outreach initiatives or grassroots issue campaigns

Candidates must demonstrate:

  • Passion for holistic public defense, racial justice, and work on behalf of racially and economically marginalized communities
  • Strong understanding of the issues affecting the Bronx community
  • Knowledge of community
  • based organizations working to achieve social justice and equity in communities impacted by government systems
  • Experience working with racially and socioeconomically marginalized communities targeted by carceral legal systems
  • Measured diplomacy when navigating difficult community dynamics, including being skilled in engaging in spontaneous dialogue with diverse audiences
  • Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate, collaborate and connect with people with various backgrounds, identities and experiences
  • Ability to navigate high-volume internal and external communications
  • Ability to build and sustain strong working relationships with colleagues and community members
  • Ability to work independently, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and follow through on tasks in a timely manner
  • Meticulous attention to detail
  • Ability to think critically and creatively in fast-paced settings, finding innovative solutions to unique obstacles
  • Ability to receive constructive feedback, demonstrate introspection and shift behavior accordingly
  • Ability to exercise excellent judgment, discretion, and confidentiality with sensitive matters
  • Proficiency with Canva, Adobe, and Office 365; strong presentation and facilitation skills
  • Spanish language (validated objectively) skills a plus, but not required
  • Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and travel locally by public transportation and walking

Work during evenings and weekends may be necessary.

Approximately 70% of The Bronx Defenders’ staff, including attorneys and non-attorneys, are represented by UAW Local 2325 – Association of Legal Aid Attorneys (AFL-CIO). This position is within the bargaining unit.

  • This position is non-exempt. By law, non

exempt employees are compensated hourly based on their annual rate and therefore are entitled to over-time, whereas exempt employees are not.

Salary is commensurate with experience. For candidates with 2-10 years of directly relevant experience, the salary range for this position would be $69,250 and $77,484. Full-time employees are also eligible for a comprehensive benefits package including but not limited to medical, dental and vision coverage; a 403(b) plan with employer contribution; a generous vacation, sick leave, and parental leave policy; and a professional development fund.

To apply, please click APPLY TO THIS JOB ONLINE and upload your resume and a cover letter in one document. Your cover letter should share why you want to do this work at our office as well as some key lived and/or professional experiences that have prepared you for this position. If selected for the position, your resume will be used to determine your salary based on the number of years of directly relevant professional experience listed; you should therefore include all relevant professional experience on your resume. Please note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

The Bronx Defenders is an equal opportunity employer and is cultivating an anti-oppressive workplace that embraces staff with a diversity of backgrounds, identities and experiences. We acknowledge the ways in which systemic oppression and injustice can undermine access to professional opportunities and are committed to conducting hiring and promotion processes that are equitable and accessible to those commonly excluded from the workforce. We do not discriminate against and in fact specifically encourage applicants from marginalized communities to apply, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, queer, transgender, gender non-conforming, disabled, neurodivergent and those directly impacted by criminal, civil, family and immigration legal systems. We value lived as well as professional experience and particularly welcome applications from the Bronx community that we work with.

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