Posted by Briarwood Group Associates End March 30, 2010
Position: A.C.T.S.: Executive Director/Lead Community Organizer for Congregation-Based Community Organizing Non-Profit Organization in Syracuse, NY
The Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse (A.C.T.S.) has an opening for an Executive Director/ Lead Community Organizer
A.C.T.S. is a Congregation-based community organizing non-profit organization inter-faith, multi-racial, urban-suburban, diverse coalition of faith communities and community organizations throughout the grater Syracuse New York area that organizes with the mission to address the social, economic, educational and political concerns of our communities. Through a process of dialogue, education, training and action, A.C.T.S. seeks to empower member faith communities to act on the shared values of human worth, dignity and justice.
A.C.T.S. work was editorialized in the Syracuse Post-Standard during last year's election. "Sunday’s ACTS meeting at Henninger was refreshingly different. The coalition of 36 urban and suburban church and community groups packed the auditorium. The mood inside was upbeat: Cheers erupted as members carried their affiliation signs across the front of the auditorium."
See:.http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2009/11/on_election_day_a_reminder_tha.htm
The organizer's primary responsibility is to continue to build this organization. Grassroots public influence will stamp out the root causes of poverty and deal with the metro politics that help to continue the disparity of resources in Syracuse and the surrounding regional communities of Central New York.
A.C.T.S., seeks a strong individual to identify, train, and that organizes community leaders to address local, regional and state issues around urban sprawl, housing, education, crime, joblessness seeking to find the root causes that will lead to better public policies. The organizer must be a strategic thinker, willing to take risks, and has a deep desire to work for justice in our society, have fund raising and financial management skills and have at least two years of practical community experiences along these lines. See: General Standard for Organizers See: Job Description, Calendar
An organizer must have a deep desire to address local and regional societal issues, find leaders, and organize people, congregations and money to sustain the organization. The organizer must be a self-motivated, systemic thinker. The position is not a social service or public relations position, although these experiences may enhance the position.
The candidates for the Lead Organizer must have rich experiences and an aptitude for community involvement. Activities as a person of faith, will include working with pastors and key community leaders. The organizer must have the ability and skills to help manage the A.C.T.S. organization with financial and organizational development.
Duties include day to day management of the community based organization, as well as assisting the leadership in defining organizational vision and goals, and insuring the financial stability and health of the organization.
A.C.T.S. Issues: As an organization for over a decade, many of the issues have local, regional, state-wide and national impact around criminal justice, youth and education, economic development and jobs, health, immigration reform and urban sprawl. A.C.T.S. will seek to find the root causes that will lead to better and more grounded public policies.
See http://www.acts-cny.org See; A.C.T.S. 2010 Vision and Goals See: Organizational Chart
Skills: Knowledge of political process/agenda, political savvy, leadership training, strong communication/writing skills, ability to handle diversity, to build key relationships with the leadership of congregations, developing alliances with unions and other community organizations, while remaining independent, promoting a social justice agenda.
Ability to speak, translate, write and train in Spanish are skills that will enhance the position, but are not required. The candidate must have a degree that is complementary to the work described or equivalent life experiences and are computer literate. Multi cultural experiences and the ability to work with diverse groups are important.
Organizers will be trained and supervised by the organization, and will be reviewed in accordance with their related competencies and experiences. Special training is a part of the post-recruitment process with orientation for the finalist. Screening interviews for those selected will be conducted the week of April 18th in Syracuse, NY. Please keep this time line in your calendar.
Applicants should review the listed job description, and in particular, General Standard for Organizers. All candidates must review these documents prior to a discussion about the position. Please review the Gamaliel Foundation web site to increase your knowledge about faith based community organizing. http://www.gamaliel.org/ Check out organizing concepts, here... www.briarwoodgroup.com for more information regarding community organizing and knowledge about applying for this position.
A.C.T.S. organizer salary and benefits total package ranges $35,000-$55,000, is negotiable and a topic for discussion. Salary is based on experience and responsibility. Health benefits will be available. Send cover letter and resume to Briarwood Group Associates, Please apply early, and no later than March 30, 2010.
Contact...ONLY: Briarwood Group Associates with a cover letter about your self interest for the position, and attach your resume. While resumes generated by Monster, Career Builder or other personnel job sites are acceptable, due to the formatting, your own personal resume sent to Briarwood by e-mail may serve you better. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC). All applications must be via e-mail.
Do not contact the Gamaliel Foundation or A.C.T.S, Syracuse, NY in regard to this position...Briarwood will handle all inquiries and applications.