SAPCC StaffPublic Information

Tenant Organizer – VISTA

Tenant Organizer – VISTA with the St. Anthony Park Community Council and the Hamline Midway Coalition

Engage low-income renting communities in west St. Paul neighborhoods to build tenant networks, associations, and institutionalize renter power! This area of Saint Paul is experiencing steady residential growth and development and is situated along important commercial and transit corridors.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS AND NEIGHBORHOODS

While serving very different neighborhoods, HMC and SAPCC share the common goals of action based community led engagement. We want to provide opportunities to listen to our neighbors, identify problems, and help folks join together to advocate for their solutions. Both councils do this primarily through committees in the areas of Land Use/Development, Environmentalism, and Neighborhood Engagement/Equity. The mission of the organizations and their committees is to create opportunities for neighbors to know what is happening around them and work together to engage the city government and other entities to improve the quality of life for all people in our neighborhood.

THE POSITION

The St. Anthony Park Community Council and the Hamline Midway Coalition are two district councils who are working to make our neighborhoods a sustainable option for low income renters. You will be building relationships with both councils and tenant leaders in the community to develop a thriving network for renters and tenant associations. This unique opportunity allows you to not only build power in renting communities but to institutionalize tenant voices in our local neighborhood councils.

Main responsibilities include:

  • Build relationships with local tenant leaders, renters, advocacy organizations, and tenant associations.
  • Develop working knowledge of social service ecosystem and help connect community members with available resources
  • Host community meals and listening sessions to learn more about housing stability and local tenant issues.
  • Create a network of tenant associations.
  • Organize around building and neighborhood issues.
  • Support community renters in gaining institutional power.
  • Celebrate wins through community events.
  • Evaluate next steps for community organizations and renter advocacy.
  • Support the organizations’ fundraising efforts for renter engagement.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Ability to work independently and in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated ability and commitment to intercultural communication.
  • Committed to furthering the organizations’ work on racial and social justice.
  • Solid time management skills and demonstrated experience managing multiple projects at once.
  • Strong written and oral communication/public speaking skills.
  • Demonstrated problem-solving skills and creativity.
  • Passionate about tenant rights, resident participation, and the idea of people working together to create positive change.
  • Personable and positive attitude, both within the office and out in the community.
  • Proficient in computer programs such as G-Suite and Microsoft applications. Graphic design experience + email marketing experience will be looked upon favorably.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, in order to attend community meetings and events.
  • Ability to speak languages other than English is desired, especially Karen, Spanish, Korean, Oromo, Amharic, or Somali.
  • Experience with fundraising, grant writing, or youth development a plus.

AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements:

  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Must have a high school diploma or GED. Some college may be helpful but is not required.
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National or have status as a Lawful Permanent Resident.

AmeriCorps members must not engage in prohibited activities during their service year. Please review information on prohibited activities at: https://www.mcnvista.org/vista-policies

Finalists are required to provide two professional references and complete the online AmeriCorps application, as well as an FBI criminal background check. A criminal record does NOT necessarily disqualify you from a VISTA position.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Service year runs from 8/28/2023—8/27/2024
  • Work schedule is mostly daytime, weekday hours with occasional evening and weekend hours to accommodate community meetings and events
  • Some work can be performed remotely; some work must be performed in-person.
  • Access to reliable transportation required.
  • VISTA Members serve in a full-time capacity of 40 hours per week during their year-long term of service.
  • Per AmeriCorps, VISTA Members may NOT be in school full-time or have another full-time position.

BENEFITS OF SERVICE

  • $600 monthly stipend for a choice of housing assistance, phone reimbursement, grocery cards, bus passes, or career training
  • Education award of $6,495 annually for each year of service, or an alternative cash stipend of $1,800 upon completion of service year
  • VISTA Healthcare allowance of $7,900
  • For VISTAs relocating more than 50 miles: $750 settling-in allowance in addition to mileage reimbursement
  • Child care assistance
  • Mileage reimbursement
  • Those receiving public assistance (such as Social Security, SNAP/EBT, or housing subsidy) will not have eligibility or level of assistance affected. The stipend is excluded income in HUD subsidized rental housing.
  • Federal student loan forbearance or credit toward the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program during the service year
  • 240 hours of accrued PTO plus federal holidays
  • Professional development budget and ongoing support and training
  • Training in tenant/landlord laws, subsidized housing rules, and community organizing strategies
  • Training from the University of Minnesota’s Center for Urban and Regional Affairs’ Neighborhoods Now! community organizing program
  • VISTAs are allowed to have a part-time job or take part-time courses with supervisor approval

TO APPLY

Email a resume and cover letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position to Jenne Nelson, director@hamlinemidway.org. This position is open until filled; applicants will be contacted starting May 1, 2023.

SAPCC and HMC are equal opportunity employers and do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, compensation, benefits, staff development and training, promotion, and other conditions of employment based on race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender, sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status, handicap, age, religious belief (or lack thereof), or economic, marital, or parenting status.