Mission of Voz

Voz is a worker-led organization that empowers diverse day laborers and immigrants to improve their working conditions and protect civil rights through leadership development, organizing, education and economic opportunity. Voz operates the Worker Center where day laborers are connected with employers in a safe environment.

Description

Voz is a worker-led, worker-run nonprofit organization that operates the only Worker Center in the state of Oregon dedicated to the day laborer community. Historically, the largely immigrant, BIPOC, and low-income day laborer populations we serve have been marginalized, underserved, underpaid, and discriminated against in myriad ways, including in their pursuit of work and at job sites once hired.

Our core mission is to empower diverse day laborers (including domestic workers) and immigrants to improve their working conditions and protect civil rights through education, leadership development, organizing and economic opportunity. Our three core programs:

(1) Worker Center: We connect day laborers with fair wage jobs and working conditions, provide labor rights resources, and offer culturally-specific workforce development trainings to increase their employment opportunities. The Worker Center is Voz’s largest program, and is the hub of all our work.

(2) Leadership & Education: Voz operates under a unique worker-led structure, and is governed in part by the Day Laborer Committee (DLC). DLC members are elected from and by active Voz members. In working with the DLC, we cultivate and elevate community-driven leadership. Educationally, we offer a wide variety of personal, leadership, and workforce development opportunities through our Leadership School and ongoing classes, including natural disaster and climate change preparedness initiatives. We also run a Health and Wellness Initiative to provide support and referrals for mental and physical health needs, as well as essential services such as food and housing resources.

(3) Grassroots Organizing: We engage day laborers with a broad range of partner organizations and coalitions at the local and national levels to participate in community organizing, advocacy, and awareness-raising efforts for workers’ rights and immigration justice. In 2023, our principal focus within this program is to resolve day labor wage theft cases through our ongoing wage theft clinic.

The Worker Center (WC) Program Manager will be responsible for all functions of the Worker Center, including but not limited to dispatch, workforce development training, curriculum development, volunteer management, conflict resolution and communication, and marketing of the Center. The WC Program Manager will work with the Leadership & Education Program Manager to coordinate workshops and training at the Center. This position will be supervised by the Co-Executive Directors and both will work closely in managing grant deliverables, fundraising for the program, and ensuring the leadership development of the Day Laborer Committee.

Responsibilities

Worker Center

• The Worker Center is open Monday-Friday from 7:00am-2:00pm, and Saturdays from 7am-12pm; schedule will vary, including some Saturdays
• Ensure the safety and security of the Worker Center, by facilitating a welcoming and equitable space
• Lead morning registration process and job raffle, ensuring that the raffle is performed according to the rules established by members.
• Process incoming work orders (email, phone, and in-person) to then dispatch workers accordingly- as part of that process;
  • Standardizing methods that can provide for the hiring of day laborers in a safe and organized manner.
  • Verifying work orders are accurate, with necessary details, and that day laborers are well informed of the pertinent details for each job.
• Convene and facilitate membership orientations and renovations, twice a month with up-to-date material
  • Enter all orientation applications into our database, Machete. Provide new applicants with their member number in order for them to sign up for the raffle
• Collaborate with other staff to build accountable systems so that employers respect workers’ rights when hiring from the Worker Center - this will be accomplished by;
  • Developing and maintaining an updated Employer Agreement
  • Developing a clear process for staff to respond to incidents (such as wage theft, retaliation, miscommunications, employer complaints, and re-negotiation of a work order) that are encountered by day laborers on the job
  • Inform employers of the expectations and responsibilities of hiring through the Worker Center; materially verifying that they understand and that all required documentation is appropriately signed.
• Manage all conflict that presents itself with workers and employers through a restorative justice lens.
• Manage member profiles in Machete database, issue Worker Center membership ID cards, and handle membership payments.
• Document events, concerns, and disciplinary actions in Machete database.
• Support in monthly asambleas (where members discuss concerns, share proposals, and vote on certain issues)
• Coordinate Voz programming, classes, and presentations in collaboration with the LEED Program Manager

Workforce Development

• Design and coordinate Voz’s Workforce Development Program to offer continuous training to grow the job skills of day laborers and domestic workers in specific trades
• Build and sustain partnerships with organizations (community organizations, unions, community colleges, businesses, construction trades, etc.) to strengthen our workforce development program
• Develop culturally specific curriculum for workshops and trainings
• Coordinate and facilitate workforce development trainings, managing all logistical aspects.
• Facilitate bi-monthly safety trainings, collaborating with organizations such as Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Create and implement an evaluation and certification system for the individual labor skills of day laborers, to ensure their growth and development
• Assist day laborers in creating a curriculum to share their expertise and skills with fellow members.

Supervision

• Recruit and oversee all Worker Center volunteers
• Supervise Worker Center members, ensuring adherence to agreements and guidelines.
• Document check-ins using Machete and/or Google Docs, sharing updates with the Co-Executive Director.

Communications & Marketing

• Provide updates and share highlights for our bi-monthly newsletters with partners & supporters
• Co-manage Voz social media platforms (Facebook & Instagram,)
• Collaborate with all staff to develop communication strategies to showcase Voz programming, community and impact
• Co-develop a marketing plan with the membership to promote the Worker Center, focusing on employer outreach and relationship building, social media, community outreach, and other creative mediums

Development & Grant Management

• Apply for program-specific grants and provide assistance in drafting general grant proposals.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with funders, ensuring timely submission of all program reports.
• Collaborate with Co-Executive Director to manage all program grant budgets
• Support the organization's fundraising efforts, including active participation in recurring social media fundraising campaigns (e.g., Give!Guide) and the Annual Fundraising Dinner.

Operations and Administrative

• Track attendance of activities (such as trainings, workshops, etc.) in Machete
• Attend bi-weekly Voz staff meetings, Worker Center staff meetings, and work planning sessions
• Submit timesheets, credit card reports, receipts, and reimbursements in a timely manner
• Support the administrative team with relevant tasks
  
  Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only, duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma and B.A. in Sociology, Ethnic Studies, Political Science, or a similar field; OR, equivalent experience outside of an academic setting
• Proficiency in both Spanish and English, with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in basic computing skills, including email, Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Drive, and Google Calendar.
• Commitment to the mission and founding principles of Voz.
• Dedication to enhancing the leadership of workers, both within Voz and in the broader community.
• Minimum of two years of experience as a lead coordinator or supervisor of projects or programs
• Minimum of one year of experience in writing grant proposals and delivering administrative reports.
• Strong cultural competency in collaborating with Latinos, immigrants, people of color, and working-class communities.
• Excellent time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks to achieve goals and meet deadlines effectively.
• Highly organized with the capacity to manage multiple ongoing projects concurrently.
• Quick learner with the ability to prioritize tasks in stressful situations.
• Clear, direct, and respectful communication skills.
• Ability to maintain a respectful and professional demeanor with colleagues, volunteers, and grassroots workers.
• Excellent membership service skills.
• Responsible, reliable, punctual, and excellent attendance record.
• Collaborative team player with the capability to work both independently and cooperatively.
• Ability to effectively communicate needs and seek help when required.
• Adherence to Voz health and safety guidelines at all times, including Voz Covid-19 protocol.

Additional capabilities
The following items are preferred, but not required:

• Experience working with domestic workers, day laborers, or informal workers;
• Proficiency in a third language, including but not limited to Persian/Farsi/Dari, French, Portuguese, or an Indigenous language from Latin America.
• Experience in popular education, making presentations and/or developing training and teaching materials;
• Experience working with people who are experiencing trauma or crisis (e.g., addictions, mental health difficulties, housing instability, extreme poverty);

Compensation

Full-time, exempt (salaried) - $47,840- $52,000/year