Community Organizer & Resident Support

Overview

The Community Organizer provides support for initiatives of Peoria Opportunities by encouraging community engagement and building resident leadership capacity. The Community Organizer will build relationships and trust with community members in order to enhance leadership skills through a variety of community building programs that provide support and resources to residents as they work to identify community problems, formulate community-based solutions and take action to transform their neighborhoods.

Full-time, 40 hours per week

• Flexible schedule, may need to work some evenings and weekend events

Ideal candidates for this position will be passionate about building power among low-income communities to advance social, economic, and racial justice. A successful candidate will possess professionalism and dependability, high level of customer service, strict confidentiality and effective communication skills.

• Outgoing and empathetic, with the ability to build deep trust with people, especially people unlike oneself, people of other races, classes, orientations, faiths, etc.
• Native intelligence; not necessarily degrees, but the ability to think, reflect, communicate, make sense of what’s wrong, and a drive to address it.
• Excellent personal accountability and follow through.
• Can meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks in a versatile work environment.
• Willingness to step outside one s comfort zone, curious, interested in other people.
• Ability to motivate community members to take action.
• Knowledge of issues affecting low-income communities in Peoria.
• Familiarity with Peoria’s East Bluff or Southside neighborhoods preferred.
• 1–3 years of experience in non-profit work or community organizing preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Drive.

• Build relationships with community members through various outreach efforts, organize house meetings, plan community activities, and build an effective ongoing team to increase community involvement and investment.
• Conduct 15 one-to-one meetings per week with POF tenants and other community members to build relationships and trust.
• Identify and develop local leaders to participate in broad-based organizing efforts to build collective power.
• Partner with neighborhood leaders to develop events that increase community cohesion.
• Plan outreach and organizing with rigorous tracking and reporting of ongoing work and results. Maintain a database of individuals met and key takeaways.
• Act as a primary point of contact for POF tenants, connecting them to essential community resources, social services, and property management personnel.
• Develop a positive working relationship with property management personnel.
• Proactively notify POF tenants of community events, programs, and developmental opportunities to foster a sense of belonging.
• Collaborate with the team to implement wealth-building initiatives and financial literacy workshops.
• Assist residents in navigating economic hurdles to ensure long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency.
• Other duties as determined are necessary to make the position effective in its goals to assist residents with economic, social and educational support to help families, strengthen communities and empower residents to lead stable, successful lives.

Peoria Opportunities Foundation is a small non-profit. Our purpose is developing affordable housing, increasing resident self-sufficiency, and participating in revitalizing Peoria’s neighborhoods. We believe that stable housing is the foundation for healthy and thriving families. Our team is small but passionate about our mission. We value curiosity, accountability, collaboration, and inclusivity.

To apply, please send your resume to:
Irina Riggenbach, Director, Peoria Opportunities Foundation (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). ;