Safe Streets Director Job Description

DIRECTOR OF SAFE STREETS/STRONG COMMUNITIES Position Description

Position Title: Director Reports To: Safe Streets Strong Communities Board of Directors Salary Range: $50,000 to $60,000 per year, DOE Summary Safe Streets/Strong Communities is seeking a dynamic leader who is an experienced community organizer and/or policy advocate and has significant knowledge of and experience in the city of New Orleans. The Director is responsible for the overall management and operation of Safe Streets/Strong Communities, a community-based nonprofit organization in New Orleans, Louisiana, that is campaigning for a new criminal justice system, one that creates safe streets and strong communities for everyone, regardless of race or economic status. Under the guidance of the Board of Directors, the Director ensures the financial health of the organization and ensures the organization carries out its mission, vision, and organizational goals. Founded in 2005, Safe Streets Strong/Communities was created to rebuild a public safety system in postKatrina New Orleans based on fairness, community input, and accountability. The public safety system in New Orleans was in crisis for decades before Hurricane Katrina, costing taxpayers millions of dollars and failing to keep residents safe, with rampant crime and one of the highest murder rates in the nation. After Hurricane Katrina devastated the City, the local government began trying to rebuild literally every aspect of public life. In this context, there is a unique opportunity for meaningful change in the criminal justice system. Safe Streets is organizing for a system that: (a) keeps people safe from all forms of violence and crime including street violence, domestic violence, and law enforcement violence; (b) is transparent, democratic, fair and accountable to the community it serves; and (c) supports community-driven responses to crime that are based on best practices. In a relatively short time period, Safe Streets Strong/Communities has won significant reforms, built a broad-based grassroots membership, and become the “go-to” organization for a community perspective on public safety, criminal justice, and violence prevention. Today the organization seeks a new Director that can develop the infrastructure of Safe Streets Strong/Communities and allow it to develop as a strong, effective, and permanent community institution in New Orleans. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Financial management: ensure sound financial practices; oversee the development and management of the annual budget and present an annual budget to the Board for approval; oversee the implementation of all fundraising activities and initiatives.

2. Organizational development: develop an effective staff structure and staff development strategy; develop and implement effective administrative and operational systems; and develop and implement effective organizational systems and programmatic strategies.

3. Staff management: Lead and manage the organization’s staff, including supervising staff, managing the recruitment of staff, developing job descriptions, ensuring regular performance evaluations for all staff, and creating and maintaining a work environment that attracts, keeps and motivates a diverse staff of qualified and committed individuals.

4. Leadership development: Work with the senior staff to ensure appropriate leadership development of all staff and members; develop and implement an ongoing leadership development plan for the organization.

5. Board support and communication: Regularly report relevant information and activities to the Board of Directors, implement Board decisions and directions, and interface between Board and staff.

6. Program oversight and annual strategic planning: Provide leadership in developing programs that support the mission and vision of the organization; ensure the organization’s ability to communicate effective messages to the public; and lead the development and implementation of an annual strategic plan that clearly outlines the organization’s short-term and long term goals.

7. Coalition building and representing the organization publicly: Ensure the organization continues to build and maintain relationships with local and state organizations, elected officials, and develops collaborative activities with allies that advance common goals and objectives. Desired Skills and Experience 1. A strong commitment to the improvement of conditions for poor communities and communities of color in post-Katrina New Orleans 2. Experience leading grassroots organizations, community-based initiatives, or advocacy campaigns 3. Experience effectively developing and implementing organizational development strategies 4. Experience developing and implementing operational and administrative systems 5. Demonstrated knowledge of the New Orleans criminal justice system 6. Demonstrated ability to oversee community-organizing campaigns 7. Highly effective written and oral communication skills 8. Experience overseeing nonprofit fundraising activities and managing a nonprofit budget 9. Collaborative spirit and a commitment to develop the leadership and skills of staff and members 10. Strategic organizational leader and campaign leader Priority will be given to candidates who are strong organizational leaders; have a demonstrated commitment to and understanding of community organizing, leadership development, and policy advocacy; and who’s work and life experience are relevant to a primarily black-base in the city of New Orleans. People of color, women, and individuals with experience in the criminal justice system are encouraged to apply. Please send a resume and cover letter to Bree Carlson by email at [email protected]. No phone calls please.