About the organization

TakeRoot Justice (TakeRoot) was founded in 2001 and provides legal, participatory research and policy support to strengthen the work of grassroots and community-based groups in New York City to dismantle racial, economic and social oppression. TakeRoot employs a unique model of partnership with grassroots and community-based groups. Our partners take the lead in determining the priorities and goals for our work and advance our understanding of justice. We believe in a theory of change where short-term and individual successes help build the capacity and power of our partners, who in turn can have longer-term impact on policies, laws and systems that affect their communities.

TakeRoot models our internal structure on anti-oppressive and democratic principles to build a workplace culture that mirrors the progressive change we pursue through our work. We encourage all staff members to participate in key organizational decisions and to help manage integral aspects of our internal operations through a system of committees, or “circles” that oversee areas such as hiring, budgetary decisions, racial justice work, internal and external community building, communications, policy, and more. To learn more about TakeRoot, visit takerootjustice.org.

About the practice area

The Resource Management Team (RMT) collaborates with all TakeRoot Justice’s Practice Areas to ensure our government contracts and data systems are managed properly and our organization’s work is well-resourced. Externally, we coordinate City-wide coalitions [secure resources, manage contracts, coordinate services, etc.] to leverage our partners’ and allies’ collective power.

About the position

The CILEC-IOI Coordinator will manage a city contract that funds immigration- and employment-related legal services to low-income immigrants and workers in all five boroughs of NYC. These services are delivered by 13 legal service providers and community-based organizations that comprise CILEC (https://takerootjustice.org/coalitions/cilec/). This position will ensure timely reporting, provide administrative and programmatic support for CILEC’s work, and will advocate on behalf of CILEC with the City of New York. This is a full-time, hybrid position with occasional in-person work required in New York City.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Coalition Coordination and Contract Management

Coalition Coordination: coordinate the Citywide Immigrant Legal Empowerment Collaborative (CILEC), a consortium of 6 legal service providers and 7 community-based organizations and help leverage shared funding streams and relationships within the consortium to support and further the programmatic work of the member organizations. Coalition coordination includes
- Convening consortium meetings
- Fielding questions from member organizations
- Providing administrative and coordination support to the consortium as needed
- Monitoring organizations’ work to ensure contract deliverables are met, and addressing performance concerns
- Helping the consortium manage budget and deliverable distribution internally
- Supporting CILEC’s strategic planning and advocacy efforts
- Assisting referrals made between CILEC providers
- Developing strong relationships with coalition members so that contract goals, accountability and program development can be done collaboratively
Contract Advocacy: work with CILEC (and sometimes other legal service providers) to advocate with the City for and around shared funding streams, including the Immigrant Opportunity Initiative (IOI) contract and Low Wage Worker funding. This work includes
- Coordinating and providing materials for annual advocacy for Low Wage Worker Support discretionary funding
- Liaising with contracting agencies, and advocating and negotiating with those agencies around contract changes, amendments and renewal
- Engaging with elected officials to advocate with relevant city agencies and actors to ensure CILEC organizations’ interests are being effectively represented to decision-makers.
- Contract Management and Reporting: Collaborate with the Urban Justice Center to develop subcontract agreements, as needed
- Distribute monthly referrals from city agencies and city funded programs to CILEC LSPs
- Compile and submit waiver requests to the Department of Social Services
- Review, correct, compile and timely submit quarterly/annual reports from and on behalf of CILEC member organizations
- Implement systems for tracking contract requirements, adapting as necessary to meet evolving needs
- Manage site visits and audits related to the IOI contract
- Perform additional contract management work, as needed

Work within TakeRoot

Team Participation: Attend and assist with regular TakeRoot and RMT organizational meetings to stay informed and aligned with team and organizational goals and initiatives.
Committee Involvement: Actively participate in TakeRoot committees and contribute to overall TakeRoot governance and operations, ensuring a collaborative and effective organizational framework.

Qualifications:

Organizational Skills: Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong time management skills, and the ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently.
Technical Proficiency: Strong computer skills, including experience with Excel is essential. Experience with Legal Server and Airtable, and project management software is a plus.
Writing Abilities and Budgeting Skills: Excellent writing skills, capable of producing clear, concise, and impactful reports and communications. Familiarity with managing budgets.
Collaboration and Independence: Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team, demonstrating flexibility and initiative.
Commitment to Social Justice: Genuine interest in, experience with, and commitment to grassroots efforts aimed at advancing social justice.
Cultural Competence: Culturally competent, with the ability to engage respectfully and effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Familiarity with city-funded legal services: Familiarity with city contracts and employment and/or immigration legal services preferred.
Advocacy Experience: Experience advocating with City and State government officials and agencies is preferred.
Confidentiality: Professional demeanor and discretion when handling confidential material.

Salary and Compensation

This is a non-exempt position, with a starting salary of $80,890 commensurate with years of relevant experience. Salary is determined in accordance with our collective bargaining agreement scale. An excellent benefits package is available, including generous vacation, personal, and sick time, along with strong medical and dental coverage. This is a union position, proudly represented by Local 2320 of the National Organization of Legal Services Workers, UAW.

Timeline

Applications due: July 13, 2025

Anticipated Start Date: September 15, 2025

TakeRoot is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under the law. TakeRoot strongly encourages applications from people with diverse backgrounds, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, LGBTGNCNBQI+ people, people from low income backgrounds, people of all ages, people with personal experience with the criminal justice system, and people with direct and lived experience(s) with the communities we serve. TakeRoot believes that diversity and inclusion are critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

TakeRoot Justice

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