Overview
Organizational Background
VOCAL-NY is a grassroots membership organization dedicated to building the power of low-income people affected by the drug war, mass incarceration, homelessness and HIV/AIDS to create healthy and just communities. This full-time position is focused on engaging community members who are current or former drug users and have been impacted by the War on Drugs to build a base of VOCAL-NY members for the Users Union.
Position Description
VOCAL-NY is seeking a talented individual to join our drug policy team and work alongside people impacted by drug use to build grassroots political power. The Drug Policy Organizer will be responsible for base-building outreach, identifying and cultivating leadership development among low-income people who are current or former drug users, and promote their participation in policymaking that affects their lives.
This includes supporting grassroots advocacy in Albany and at City Hall via lobby days and meetings with elected officials, and organizing rallies and actions to draw attention to campaigns.
Examples of active campaigns include: decriminalizing and expanding access to syringes, fighting to bring Overdose Prevention Centers to NYC and NYS, launching New York City’s methadone delivery system, and expanding access to harm reduction and medication-assisted treatment.
We have a highly collaborative office environment where staff members provide regular support for each other’s work. This position will be based in New York City, and will be supervised by the Director of Drug Policy.
Job Responsibilities:
- Membership Recruitment – Conduct “base building” through daily community outreach at transitional housing facilities, shelters, methadone and harm reduction programs, re-entry programs, HIV service providers and other venues.
- Phone-banking – Conduct daily “phone-banking” to engage and mobilize existing members, as well as newly contacted people through community outreach to retain meaningful engagement.
- Data-entry – Routinely record and input data into our community organizing database.
- Support meetings & Mobilizations – Develop engaging agendas for membership meetings, and carry out the logistical needs and preparation of facilitating meetings and mobilizations in addition to mobilizing individuals to attend.
- Staff Users Union Actions – Attend actions and engage members, including sign-in sheets, metrocards, creating signage, and on-the-ground support.
Requirements / Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have direct knowledge or experience of the War on Drugs and the overdose crisis and a willingness to approach these issues through a racial justice analysis. Candidates must be self-motivated to do community outreach and phone-banking to engage people directly impacted by the drug war and overdose crisis to take action.
Candidates cannot hold internal biases or stigmas that would hinder their ability to work with low-income people impacted by these issues.
The ideal candidate will have:
- An understanding around harm reduction and drug use.
- At least one year of community organizing experience.
- Demonstrated interest in the organization’s key issue areas; ending AIDS, mass incarceration, homelessness and the racist/classist War on Drugs, through a racial justice lens.
- An interest in working as a member of a team and in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is essential.
- Basic computer skills, including ability to use the internet, email, word processing (e.g. Microsoft Word) and spreadsheets (e.g. Excel) programs are preferred.
This is a full-time position. The position will require occasional attendance at evening and weekend meetings.
Compensation & Benefits:
VOCAL-NY offers a generous benefits package of 20 vacation days, 12 wellness days, and 13 paid holidays and 2 week paid year end break in December, 100% employer-covered health, vision and dental insurance , 401k plan with 5% employer match, health and dependent care FSA, cell phone, and unlimited Metrocard.