Position: Housing Justice Organizer
Status: 1.0 FTE, exempt, varied hours
Reports to: ESFL Housing Justice Program Manager
Salary Range: $48,960; benefits-eligible (health, dental, and vision coverage)
Priority Deadline: April 10th, 2026
About the East Side Freedom Library
East Side Freedom Library is a builder and connector in a community which has suffered from silos of interests, capital disinvestment, and political neglect over the years. Founded in 2013, ESFL uses our collections and our programs to bridge the common histories of the people of the East Side (immigrants, working class, people of color, people living in poverty, and much more) to a shared understanding of moving forward together. Our special collection of over 35,000 books and materials provides a basis for all our work. We use these as a framework to support our neighbors as they create new knowledge and action in our communities. Our mission is to mobilize community knowledge for solidarity, justice, and equity for all. Our work is designed to be intersectional, with each program area connecting to multiple resources and communities.
To Learn More About Us
Visit the ESFL website to get to know our community and programming.
Position Summary:
The Housing Justice Organizer is a self-motivated, organized individual with a passion for community and for creating a better world. The organizer runs the community outreach and relationship building activities of the Housing Justice Program within the East Side Freedom Library. The goal of the Housing Justice program is to advocate for the needs of the community, work in tandem with community members and leaders to address their housing needs and goals, and to create a stronger, more unified community across the East Side, Saint Paul, and the Twin Cities as a whole.
The Organizer is responsible for the community outreach and relationship building activities of the Housing Justice Program. The Organizer will regularly door knock, attend and host community events, and use creative methods of outreach to engage with the community. They will organize with other housing justice related groups like tenant unions and housing agencies.
The Housing Justice Organizer will work closely with all ESFL staff. The Housing Organizer reports to the Housing Justice Program Manager. This is a hybrid position, with the expectation to work a general ratio of onsite 2 days/evenings a week, in community 2 days/evenings a week, and 1 day working from home. Exact schedule will be determined in consultation with staff leadership.
Essential Duties
- Regularly attend community meetings
- Do outreach on the East Side through door knocking, tabling, and other methods
- Attend weekly staff meetings and collaborate with the ESFL team frequently
- Consistently have one to one conversations with community members
- Plan and host events alongside ESFL staff
- Work with ESFL staff to create a housing justice exhibit in the later half of 2026 and 2027
- Host meetings of the East Side Housing Justice group
- Work to identify and implement policy changes to advance housing justice
- Participate in coalitions and coalition building with other organizations
- Be an active participant in Saint Paul’s East Side community
Skills, Wisdom & Experiences:
- Experience with housing justice and community organizing principles.
- Highly skilled at outreach and engagement like door knocking, tabling, etc
- Ability to employ flexibility and creativity in the face of ambiguity and change.
- Experience working alongside and/or training a variety of team members that include staff, collaborators, and interns.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and community building.
- Ability to communicate authentically with a variety of community members
- Demonstrated experience working with diverse constituents and communities, preferably in Saint Paul’s East Side neighborhoods
- Ability to interact with many people on a consistent basis
Does this position interest you? Email us at jobs@eastsidefreedomlibrary.org and tell us your story!
Be sure to include your contact information: name, email, and phone number. Please use the subject line “Housing Justice Organizer” and compile application materials into one PDF file:
- A document with your story and why you want this position—we are interested in hearing how your interests and journey intersect and why you think this position and ESFL are a good fit for you.
- Your resume, vita, or list of your experiences.
- 3 references.
Open until filled; priority deadline for submitting your materials is April 10th, 5pm. We look forward to hearing from you!
The East Side Freedom Library is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ESFL does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of age, racialization, religion, gender identity, disability, or other marginalized identities.