ABOUT ROC UNITED

The Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC United) works to improve restaurant workers’ lives by building worker power and uniting workers of various backgrounds around shared goals and values. Initially founded in New York City after September 11th to provide support to restaurant workers displaced as a result of the World Trade Center tragedy.  We have grown into a national restaurant workers’ organization of restaurant workers, employers, and consumer members working together to realize the vision of a food system that includes thriving wages, time to rest, a safe work environment, health care and the ability to participate in governance for the people who cook, prepare, and serve our food. We currently have chapters and affiliates in New York, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, Chicago, New Orleans, Nashville, Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and Washington, DC.

About ROC  NY

ROC NY is dedicated to improving the working conditions in the restaurant industry. We actively outreach to workers in the NYC area to build, develop, and lead the worker center. Our strategy focuses on three main components: lifting the voices of workers, “building the ladder” for low-wage workers through job training and cultivating employer partnerships that help increase mobility in the industry, and “raising the floor” by advocating for improved working standards in the industry.

Position Description

A full-time organizer is responsible for building worker power with the goal of achieving a more just and dignified restaurant industry. This is a full-time, exempt position which falls under the collective bargaining agreement and reports to the chapter lead.

Responsibilities

• Conduct weekly outreach to restaurant workers to grow membership
• Regular communication and follow-up to build relationships with members and partners
• Encourage the development of worker members into leaders 
• Engage and support worker leaders in weekly outreach to restaurant workers
• Support the political education of restaurant workers via approved trainings
• Assist with the planning and facilitation of membership meetings and events 
• Actively support local chapter events and trainings (CHOW, Know Your Rights, etc.)
• Participate in online research and surveying activities which will inform and guide local policy
• Provide support for workplace justice campaigns
• Develop and maintain relationships with local labor and social justice organizations 
• Actively seek out, partner with, and develop a network of solidarity with local policy coalitions 
• Regularly document worker and member stories 
• Transparently report activities via EveryAction

Core Competencies

• Uses ROC United’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values to guide individual decision making
• Adapts nimbly to changing circumstances and builds on what is working well in facilitating change
• Proactively builds positive rapport with a wide range of colleagues and key stakeholders
• Understands that learning is key to developing new approaches and creative solutions
• Ability to determine the cause of a problem and recommend corrective action
• Consistently meet deadlines set by their team, supervisor, or other managers
• Shares information willingly and on a timely basis
• Listens well to others
• Demonstrates respect for Board members, staff, workers, and community partners
• Creatively develop programs that differentiates ROC United in the labor advocacy space

• Seeks solutions to complex issues despite obstacles

• Exhibits and encourages a culture of cooperation, trust, and relationship-building

Experience/Qualifications

• 2+ years of community or labor organizing and base building

• Commitment to racial, social, and economic justice
• Fluent in Spanish and English, both written and verbal 
• Strong written, verbal, and listening skills
• Proven ability to work under pressure 
• Willingness and ability to travel

• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and with a team
• Skilled in using social media tools and messaging platforms
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite products
• Experience with EveryAction and/or Voter Access Network (preferred)
• Previous experience in a restaurant (preferred)
• Experience with digital organizing and moving from online to offline activities (preferred)
• Knowledge of local geography, history, and politics (preferred)

Role Requirements

• Valid driver’s license and operating transportation with insurance
• Willingness to work collaboratively with persons from a diverse racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, age, and sexual orientation

Compensation

Starting salary is $58,500 to $64,800, negotiable based on experience.

Generous benefits,

• Health ($550/month), 
• Dental ($50/month), 
• Disability insurance (provided for employees beginning the first of the month after the completion of 90 days of continuous employment)
• Sick Leave (10 days per calendar year) Personal Leave (10 days per year)
• Vacation (accrual of 10 days during the first year of employment)
• Paid Federal Holidays 
• Retirement Plan 

This is a full-time, exempt position that falls under the collective bargaining agreement. 

Working Conditions

Organizers are required to work long and irregular hours which could include weekends. Organizers must exercise discretion and independent judgment on a continuous basis. It is expected that organizers be available during the times that workers in their assigned area are available at their work site, home, or other locale. You may be required to travel.

Submission Instructions

Submit one PDF document containing your cover letter and your resume to ROC-HR@rocunited.org.  Please indicate in the subject line “ROC – NY FULL-TIME ORGANIZER <Your Last Name>”.  In your cover letter, please include how you learned of this position and what you feel makes you qualified for it.

Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion across race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, language, identity, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, perspective, and experience is in ROC’s DNA. It drives us forward every day to create an environment where workers from any background and culture are safe, healthy, and empowered, get their voices heard, feel welcomed, supported, and valued, and are given the same opportunities.  All are welcome and encouraged to apply.