SAJE (Strategic Actions for a Just Economy) is seeking a Tenant Engagement Specialist to join our Anti-Eviction Team. SAJE’s Tenant Engagement Specialist is primarily responsible for executing the Stay Housed LA (SHLA) program and deliverables as well as supporting SAJE’s anti-eviction campaign work. 

The Tenant Engagement Specialist will conduct direct outreach to Los Angeles-area tenants, especially those in underserved communities, through phone banking, door knocking, text banking, and canvassing at the Los Angeles County Courts. They will also connect tenants to county and city resources and make referral to legal services, and they will create and facilitate workshops on tenant rights and fighting evictions without legal representation.

The successful candidate for this position is interested in economic and housing justice, but they do not necessarily have to have an extensive background in these areas. The chief qualifications are: passionate about SAJE’s mission and vision and a strong interest in helping  community members facing eviction, harassment, substandard living conditions and empowering them to take action to advocate for themselves! The successful candidate is thoughtful and empathetic, flexible, takes initiative to help the team problem-solve, and excited to work in the community. They bring a keen attention to detail and to documenting their work, which is always accurate, up to date, and aligned with SAJE’s mission, vision, and values.

This is a full-time, hybrid position, and all SAJE employees must be vaccinated against infections and diseases according to the recommendations of medical professionals and the CDC. The following provides a general overview of the activities and responsibilities of the position but does not represent an exhaustive list of job duties.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support SAJE in executing the Stay Housed LA (SHLA) program by providing in-person and virtual services and workshops, including tenant navigation services and legal referrals, and routinely inviting tenants to attend SHLA workshops
• Lead, plan, facilitate, and develop curriculum for monthly SHLA workshops. Participate in and co-facilitate team members’ workshops collaboratively. This may also include leading or participating actively in other SAJE workshops
• Conduct member engagement and recruitment. This team member plays a critical role in connecting tenants to SHLA workshops, addressing their needs within our capacity, and inviting them to attend other SAJE programs
• Conduct community outreach. This team member is in the field regularly, connecting with area renters through direct phone calls, text banking, in-person door knocking, building canvassing, and eviction court outreach.
• Lead tenant navigation to ensure tenants are connected to services and referrals. 
• Regularly create work plans and reports, using SAJE tracking systems to record and document work and tenant engagement
• Participate in SHLA trainings, retreats, and/or collaborations with other SHLA community-based organizations
• Participate in morning/afternoon Tenant Empowerment Program (TEP) at LA County courthouses to support tenants facing eviction
• Participate in other SAJE activities as needed. These duties might include participating in all SAJE all-staff activities, flyering, door knocking, public comment, and attending SAJE organizational meetings and events

QUALIFICATIONS

• Communicates verbally in English and, if possible, Spanish
• Is able to work a hybrid position in-person at the SAJE office and in the field
• Has strong interpersonal skills and the ability to connect with community members 
• Has basic computer skills and can use software including Excel and database systems
• Learns and works successfully with new software applications 
• Can accurately record and read data in databases
• Works well in teams and communicates clearly and effectively with others
• Has a strong commitment to social justice 
• Can perform a variety of duties even with distractions or interruptions and adjust priorities quickly
• Is warm and positive in their work with colleagues and community members
• Ability to gain the trust of, motivate, and spark an interest in tenant rights among local residents
• Good presentation and speaking skills and the capacity to explain complex information and issues in easy-to-understand manner, including ability to use popular-education techniques 
• Have a valid driver’s license

MUST BE ABLE TO

• Stand and walk for long periods of time 
• Lift weights up to 50 pounds 
• Carry on appropriate conversations, participate attentively in meetings and trainings, and develop productive professional relationships 
• Perform a variety of duties even with distractions or interruptions and adjust priorities quickly 

MUST BE 

• Committed to justice 
• Warm and positive with community members 
• Flexible in time and mind: there may be weekly evening commitments and work required during the weekend 
• Organized and detail oriented; excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work, strong capacity for independent and collaborative problem solving
• Vaccinated against infections and diseases according to the recommendations of medical professionals and the CDC

COMPENSATION 

All SAJE staff are expected to work in the office or field at least three days per week (usually Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays). SAJE strives to maintain a 40-hour work week and a sustainable work/life balance and offers a competitive benefits package and salary (based on experience). This is a full-time, hourly position. The pay range for this position is between $30.29 and $33.54 per hour (commensurate with experience) plus benefits (including medical, vision, and dental) with three weeks of vacation for the first year of service (four weeks per year after two years of service) and 13 holidays.

TO APPLY

Your application must include a cover letter, resume, and at least three professional references; applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements will not receive a response. Email to apply@saje.net; no phone calls please. Include “Tenant Engagement Specialist” and your full name in the subject line. The deadline to apply is Monday, May 24, 2024. 

SAJE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER. BIPOC, WOMEN, AND LGBTQ CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.

ABOUT SAJE

Since 1996, SAJE has been a force for economic justice in Los Angeles. We believe that all people have a right to the city, and that the future of neighborhoods should be decided by those who dwell there. For over 25 years, we have worked side-by-side with our members to improve our community by advocating for tenant rights, healthy housing, and equitable development. We focus on housing policy because it is a root cause of economic and social inequality, shaped by decades of redlining, racial covenants, and most recently, predatory lending and foreclosure practices. Our work seeks to protect vulnerable communities from eviction, lockouts, and harassment, preserve existing affordable housing, and promote the production of additional affordable housing in new construction. Ultimately, our aim is to decommodify housing through the creation of permanent affordable housing, community land trusts, and public and social housing that prioritizes people over profits.