Temporary Field Organizer

Riders Alliance fights for affordable and world-class public transit in order to build a more just and sustainable New York. We organize subway and bus riders to build grassroots power across racial, economic, and neighborhood lines: holding our elected officials accountable, engaging the public, and taking direct action to guarantee that riders have a powerful voice in the decisions that affect us.

We are embarking on a major campaign to expand our membership and grow the political power of outer-borough transit riders in New York City. This summer, our organizing will focus on winning deeper affordability for transit riders and faster, more reliable bus service citywide. We’re hiring a Temporary Field Organizer to work closely with our dynamic organizing team to engage community members in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx through summerlong canvassing days, community meetings, and community outreach activities. 

This is a full-time, temporary position starting around June 8 and ending around August 28. This position is offered as a part of New York Foundation’s Summer Internship in Community Organizing, which offers interns unique professional development opportunities, including attending organizing trainings with the ANHD’s Center for Community Leadership, and runs from June 11 through August 20. In line with the Internship Guidelines and goals of increasing young people’s interest in community organizing as a long-term career, Temporary Field Organizer will earn $33/hour and be eligible for some paid time off and transit reimbursement.

You will be responsible for:

• Acting as field lead for canvassing and community outreach days in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx, coordinating and and supervising a team of part-time canvassers to recruit transit riders to join Riders Alliance
• Coaching and proving in-field support junior interns, including materials, talking points, location scouting, and ensuring that each shift is meeting its strategic goals
• Attending meetings with community stakeholders, including elected officials, community boards, and business leaders to advocate for faster, more reliable bus service
• Helping to organize community meetings, member trainings, and community events to educate transit riders aimed at developing new leaders
• Identifying potential leaders to be more involved in Riders Alliance campaigns
• Overseeing data tracking on member engagement and outreach

Required qualifications:

• Minimum of 2 years in grassroots organizing where you have demonstrated success in developing leadership, and recruiting/ retaining members.
• Excellent people skills: ability to quickly build relationships, to listen to and persuade people, and to engage people effectively around a common goal.
• A record of organizing in diverse settings, including low-income communities and communities of color.
• Flexible schedule, with availability to work some evenings and weekends, and willingness to travel to neighborhoods in all boroughs of New York City.
• Familiarity with communities in Brooklyn, Queens, or the Bronx and/or lived experience as a Brooklyn, Queens or Bronx transit rider.

How to apply:

• Applicants must meet New York Foundation’s specific grant terms.
• Applications are due before May 15.
• Please send a thoughtful cover letter and resume to hr@ridersalliance.org with the subject line: “Temporary Field Organizer”
• Applications are considered on a rolling basis; early applications are encouraged.

Riders Alliance is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

Riders Alliance values diversity in backgrounds and in experiences that are reflective of the city it serves. Applicants of all backgrounds are strongly encouraged and welcomed to apply.