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Small Business Program Organizer (Full-Time)

About the Position:

Chhaya seeks an energetic and dynamic Small Business Organizer to engage in its Small Business Program. Chhaya’s Small Business Program works to promote, protect, and preserve the immigrant-owned and immigrant-serving small businesses in New York City, with a primary focus on Jackson Heights. The Small Business Organizer will work with small business owners and other stakeholders to prevent the dislocation of culturally-significant commercial spaces from the neighborhood, which is facing rapid gentrification resulting in residential, commercial, and cultural displacement. 

The Small Business Organizer will conduct merchant organizing activities and connect small business owners to valuable legal services helping provide stability and sustainability to the small businesses. Ultimately, Chhaya’s goal is to organize commercial tenants to build power and preserve affordable commercial spaces in the neighborhood. This is a critical time in the progression of the program as Chhaya seeks to build out its technical assistance capabilities and program measurement over the next 2-3 years. The Small Business Organizer will work in partnership with the Small Business Program Associate (open position), the organization’s leadership, and partners to address the needs of immigrant-owned small businesses. 

This position will report temporarily to the Director of Programs. This position will eventually report to the Associate Director of Programs (ADP), Asset Building and Small Business (currently this ADP role is open).

About Chhaya:

Chhaya is the only South Asian and Indo-Caribbean Community Development Corporation (CDC) in the nation. Our mission is to build community power, housing stability, and economic well-being of the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities in New York. Since our founding in 2000, Chhaya has helped prevent hundreds of foreclosures; assisted first-time homebuyers in obtaining thousands of dollars in down-payment assistance, led the basement legalization campaign in New York City, provided individuals with key immigration services to better navigate daily life, empowered families with financial management tools and skills, and fostered the civic engagement of thousands of South Asian and Indo-Caribbean New Yorkers. As a leader in New York City’s housing and economic justice sector, Chhaya is poised for significant organizational growth and development. Our main office is in Jackson Heights and we have a second location in Richmond Hill – two neighborhoods with vibrant South Asian and Indo-Caribbean communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Implement and evaluate existing small business campaigns in targeted neighborhoods including but not limited to merchant organizing and commercial lease assistance programs
• Assess neighborhood conditions and needs by gathering and analyzing commercial district data
• Facilitate conversations with a wide range of stakeholders on a range of complex issues and projects that impact the South Asian commercial corridor of 74th Street in Jackson Heights and other target areas
• Partner with the Small Business team and Chhaya leadership to strategize about creative ways to address the needs of South Asian and Indo-Caribbean businesses in Queens and throughout New York City
• Engage community stakeholders and partner organizations in designated commercial corridor efforts
• Track and measure program metrics and impact
• Connect with local stakeholders, including electeds, city officials, community leaders, partner organizations, and funding partners, to attain additional economic development resources for immigrant owned small businesses
• Other responsibilities, as required

As a member of the Chhaya staff, additional responsibilities may be added related to special events, critical initiatives, and other special cases that require full staff participation (some evenings and weekends). Further, as a Chhaya team-member, it is every employee’s responsibility to help further the organization’s mission by building a work-culture centered around ownership, accountability, fairness, inclusiveness, and fun.  

Salary Range:

$45,000 – $50,000

How to Apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume, two references, and a brief writing sample to careers@chhayacdc.org with the subject line “Small Business Program Organizer – Application”.

Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2021.

Note:

This is a bargaining unit position with the Transport Workers Union, TWU. 

Chhaya CDC is an equal opportunity organization that celebrates and embraces diversity. Chhaya does not discriminate on the basis of caste, race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or any other identities covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and organizational need.