Dallas

Posted May 21st, 2013

Contract Position Opening: ESL Instructor 

WDP is committed to improving the quality of life of immigrant workers. As the Dallas office of WDP expands its programs, it will offer English as a Second Language courses for its members. The course enables participants to learn important English skills while building a broader understanding of social inequality. The organization does not have one set curriculum. Instead, instructors use multiple resources to create and deliver tailored lessons. WDP asks the instructor to draw upon his/her own unique experience to build upon and improve the courses.

Requirements:

  • ESL teaching experience (2+ years)
  • Computer literate
  • Self-starter with ability to work independently and communicate effectively and promptly via email
  • Strong communication skills in English and Spanish
  • Desire to support student learning by preparing/modifying curricula based on student interests and performance
  • Detail-oriented
  • Ability to work two nights per week (6:30pm to 9:00pm) for three 10-week sessions annually (30 weeks/year)

Preferred:

  • Experience with popular education
  • Commitment to social and economic justice
  • Commitment to go the extra mile as a team member, including being available for occasional meetings/events with staff outside of class time

Responsibilities:

  • Coordinate and administer English as a Second Language to WDP members twice a week.
  • Organize, develop, and collect pedagogic/teaching materials.
  • Collaborate with workers and other ESL organizations/teachers to improve curriculum and activities.

Compensation:

  • This is a contract position paid at $15 an hour (5-6 hours a week) for four hours of class plus preparation time. 

WDP is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ individuals to apply.

 

How to apply: Submit a letter of interest and resume as soon as possible to Soli Mercado-Spencer at soli@workersdefense.org. Position open until filled.

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Posted May 21st, 2013

Contract Position Opening: Spanish-English and English-Spanish Interpreter

Workers Defense Project (WDP) is a membership-based organization that empowers low-income workers to achieve fair employment through education, direct services, organizing and strategic partnerships. WDP is committed to providing workers access to participate and benefit from our organization regardless of language barriers. The Contract Interpreter will ensure that group meetings are language-accessible for Spanish- and English-speakers.

Requirements:
•   Fluent in English and Spanish (bilingual)
•   Experience interpreting English to Spanish and Spanish to English in large group settings
•   Ability to work Tuesdays from 6:30pm to 9:00pm, EVERY fourth Sunday of the month from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, and some extra assignments as needed. (Approx. 12-14 hours per month)

Preferred:
•   Strong commitment to social and economic justice

Responsibilities:
•  Interpret for members, volunteers, and staff during Tuesday Workers in Action Meetings, monthly Popular Assemblies, and other events as needed.

Compensation: 
•  This is a contract position paid at $15 per hour for approximately 12-14 hours a month.

WDP is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ individuals to apply.

How to apply: Submit a letter of interest in Spanish, one reference, and resume to Juan Cardoza-Oquendo at juan@workersdefense.org. Position open until filled.

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Posted May 21st, 2013

Temporary Staff Attorney

Sept. 1st – Oct. 30th

The Temporary Staff Attorney will help manage WDP’s Workplace Justice Program in the Dallas area by directly representing WDP members in workplace-related employment claims, working with WDP organizing staff to plan community actions on cases, and helping supervise day to day activities of the Dallas offices.

Responsibilities:

→     Oversee WDP campaign efforts in the Dallas area, conducting legal research as needed.
→     Work collaboratively with partner attorneys on lawsuits representing workers in wage and hour cases.
→     Work with Austin-based Executive Director/Deputy Director to oversee Dallas Office administrative functions including sending monthly reports to Austin about program outcomes, financial reports, and staff reports.
→     Develop and maintain strategic relationships with faith and labor allies, attorneys, state agencies, students, and other community allies.
→     Advocate WDP position to legislators, agencies, business/community decision-makers, other stakeholders, and the general public.

Qualifications:
→     Admission to practice law in the state of Texas
→     Previous experience with wage and hour law is a must
→     Commitment to helping manage a high-performing legal program that utilizes the law creatively in the fight for systemic change.
→     Ability to work independently and juggle multiple responsibilities.
→     Excellent time management and administrative skills.
→     Proven ability to supervise, mentor and develop staff.
→     Community organizing experience.
→     Deep commitment to furthering workers rights and the broader labor movement.
→     Fluency in English and Spanish (strong written and verbal communication skills in both languages).
→     Ability to work irregular hours, including nights and weekends (position is a full-time salaried position).
→     Commitment to racial and economic justice and to bringing about change through leadership development and the principles of popular education.

Compensation:
→     Competitive Salary ($34,000 to 40,000 based on relevant experience)

Timeline: Applications Due by July 1, 2013. Hire date preferably by Sept 01, 2013

How to apply: Send resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three professional references to Cristina Tzintzún, at jobsdallas@workersdefense.org

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Posted October 9th, 2012

SEEKING PART-TIME SAFETY TRAINING COORDINATOR

Workers Defense Project is seeking to hire a part-time Safety Training Coordinator for a safety-training
program for low-wage, Spanish-speaking construction workers in Dallas. Workers Defense Project
(WDP) is a membership-based organization that empowers low-income workers to achieve fair
employment through education, direct services, organizing, and strategic partnerships.

POSITION OVERVIEW
Workers Defense Project will be conducting free safety trainings in Spanish to help reduce deaths and
serious injuries on the job in the construction industry. As part of an Occupational Health and Safety
(OSHA)/Department of Labor grant, WDP is seeking a training coordinator to conduct safety trainings to low-wage, Spanish-speaking construction workers in Dallas.
The training coordinator will assist WDP coordinate and recruit safety-training participants through
implementation of a multi-tier recruitment plan. The coordinator will identify and recruit workers to
attend safety trainings. The safety trainings will cover topics such as general work place hazard
awareness, rights and responsibilities under OSHA, and working safely with electricity and in situations
where fall hazards exist. Workers Defense Project will provide all necessary on-the-job training to ensure that the training coordinator has the necessary skills and resources to be successful. The training
coordinator will thereby play a role in the national movement to save worker lives by coordinating free,
accessible, and practical safety trainings.

NOTE: Per requirements of OSHA and the Department of Labor, the safety training project will be
required to meet strict quarterly goals in terms of numbers of trainees, training hours, evaluations, pre-
/post-test assessments, and learning impact assessments reached. The quarters break down the following way: Quarter 1 (October 1-December 31), Quarter 2 (January 1-March 30), Quarter 3 (April 1-June 30), and Quarter 4 (July 1-September 31). The coordinator position may be extended on an annual basis pending future receipt of the grant.

TRAINING COORDINATOR RESPONSIBILITIES
• Implement Multi-Tier Recruitment Plan for Safety Trainings:
The coordinator will implement a multi-tier recruitment plan with the Project Director, which will
include steps for identifying, recruiting, and reminding prospective training participants of
upcoming safety trainings.
• Coordination of Safety-Trainings in Spanish:
The coordinator will coordinate regular safety trainings in Spanish. Coordination involves the
following tasks: schedule and organize trainings, recruit requisite number of trainees, and conduct
requisite number of trainings, assessments and evaluations. The coordinator is encouraged to enlist
active volunteers and members of the organization to assist in these tasks.
• Assist in the Assessment and Evaluation of Trainings:
The coordinator will help conduct post-training evaluations every quarter to assess effectiveness of
safety trainings.
REQUIREMENTS AND PAY
• Familiarity with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) and/or 6 months
of construction safety training experience in Spanish.
• Bilingual (English and Spanish). DO NOT APPLY IF YOU DO NOT SPEAK SPANISH.
• Responsible, must complete project goals on or before deadlines.
• Spanish group discussion facilitation skills very important.

• 1-2 years of trainer and/or teaching experience, as well as program assessment and evaluation
preferred.
• 1-2 years of residential, commercial, or remodeling construction experience preferred.
• Bachelors degree from major university preferred.
• Awareness of Latino immigrant social and economic issues strongly preferred.
• Commitment to racial and economic justice.
• Compensation: up to $14 per hour for 20 hours per week for one year. The position may be
renewed upon future receipt of the grant.

TO APPLY
Send resume/CV (in English) and cover letter (in Spanish) to Jason Cato at Jason@workersdefense.org
immediately. Be sure to highlight how past experience is relevant to the duties of the training coordinator
position.

Deadline for application: Open until filled.

 

 

Posted August 17th, 2012

We Count! Voter Empowerment Internship Summer 2012- April 2013

Workers Defense Project (WDP) is a membership-based organization that empowers low-income workers to achieve fair employment through education, direct services, organizing, and strategic partnerships.

Requirements:
• 3.0 GPA
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Computer literate: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Internet, and e-mail
• Ability to work independently
• Commitment to social justice
• Able to work 10 to 20 hours per week
• Spanish-English bilingual required
• Internship period is from August 2012 to April 2013

Responsibilities
The We Count! Intern will work closely with WDP’s Austin-based Policy Analyst and staff in our new Dallas office on our We Count! Get out the Vote Campaign. The Campaign aims to shift the power imbalance in Texas politics away from businesses in favor of working families by educating and empowering under-represented populations to vote in the 2012 elections. The campaign focuses on reaching low-wage Latino voters, young voters, and faith-based institutions to participate in local and state elections. The intern will undertake the following activities:
• create a bilingual (Spanish and English) voter guide,
• train a team of volunteers representing its three core We Count! voter constituencies,
• educate 450 individuals on the issues in the first year
• develop the leadership skills of grassroots leaders of low-age Latino workers.

Compensation:
• $250/month stipend
• Possible class credit
• Lifelong experience.

WDP strongly encourages people of color, immigrants, female, and LGBTQ individuals to apply.

How to Apply
Submit a resume, cover letter and 2 professional references to Emily@workersdefense.org as soon as possible. Position will be filled as soon as a qualified applicant is found.

Posted August 2nd, 2012

Intern with Workers Defense Project Dallas!

Workers Defense Project/Proyecto Defensa Laboral (WDP) is a membership-based organization that empowers low-income workers to ensure fair employment through education, direct services, community organizing, and strategic partnerships.

Internship Opening: Workplace Justice Intern in Dallas, TX

Internship period: August 25, 2012 to February 28, 2013

The intern will work with WDP Dallas staff and volunteers to protect the rights of low-wage Latino/a workers who face workplace violations. The intern will learn important skills in community organizing, policy advocacy, nonprofit administration, and case management.

Requirements:
→ 3.0 GPA
→ Strong written and verbal communication skills
→ Fluent in Spanish
→ Computer literate (Microsoft Word, internet, and email)
→ Ability to work independently
→ Commitment to social and economic justice
→ Organized and detail-oriented
→ Able to work 10 to 15 hours a week including some nights and weekends

Responsibilities: Intern will work with WDP Dallas staff and volunteers to:
→ Recruit workers to address issues of workplace abuse
→ Assist with weekly intake of wage claim cases
→ Negotiate with employers who violate workers rights
→ Inform Latina/o immigrant workers of their rights
→ General office administration support (answering phones, data entry, writing e-mail alerts, mailings, etc.)

Compensation:
→ Lifelong experience and skills
→ Monthly stipend of $100
→ Referral for future employment
→ Possible class credit

WDP is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, immigrants, and LGBTQ individuals to apply.

Send a letter of interest and one reference to Juan Cardoza-Oquendo at juan@workersdefense.org. For questions, please call 512-391-2305.