JOB DESCRIPTION: Census “Pop-Up” Worker
(10 hours per week, March 12th to May 15th, 2020)

About the Cooper Square Committee

The Cooper Square Committee is a housing and community development organization based in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Formed in 1959, we work with area residents to preserve and develop affordable, environmentally housing and community/cultural spaces in order to maintain the racial, economic, and cultural diversity of the Lower East Side.

About the Census Complete Count Fund

The United States Constitution requires a population count—or census—every 10 years. The census determines every state’s proportional representation in Congress as well as its share of federal funds for health care, education, housing, economic development, social services, roads, transportation, and more. In light of the resources that are at risk and the fact that the State of New York could lose up to two congressional seats in the case of a 2020 census undercount, it is critically important that all New Yorkers, especially those from historically undercounted communities, are counted.

To support a fair and complete count, Cooper Square Committee is working in partnership with the City University of New York (CUNY), Mayor de Blasio’s NYC Census 2020 office, and the New York City Council to mobilize New Yorkers to self-respond to the 2020 census. Cooper Square Committee will be engaging our community members through a range of strategies, including hosting several “pop-up” events at buildings and our storefront offices at 61 E. 4^th Street.

About the Census “Pop-Up” Worker position

Cooper Square Committee is seeking exceptionally qualified candidates for the role of Census “Pop-Up” Worker. The Census “Pop-Up” Worker will staff the Census pop-up at our office from Monday to Thursday, 5 pm to 7:30 pm (10 hours per week), educate community members about the significance of the census and the importance of census self-response; identify and dismantle barriers to census participation, ask and encourage New Yorkers to self-respond to the 2020 census, and connect them right then and there to the tools and resources they need to self-respond.

Responsibilities:

Working under the leadership of the Census Manager, the Census “Pop-Up” Worker will:

• Build strong relationships with historically undercounted New Yorkers in order to encourage census self-response;
• Engage Lower East Side residents about the census through a variety of activities at the pop-up, which may include phone-banking, text-banking, and other engagement events;
• Track census engagement activities using both qualitative and quantitative methods;
• Adhere to all data security and privacy protocols around census engagement;
• Participate in trainings and professional development opportunities;
• Help with other Census outreach and engagement tasks as needed.

Qualifications:

• Experience in community engagement, campaign work, or other forms of direct outreach;
• Excellent communication and multi-tasking skills;
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship management skills;
• Demonstrated cultural competence with respect to historically undercounted communities;
• Understanding of New York City’s diversity and experience working with people of diverse backgrounds;
• Proficiency in use of technology such as laptop computers and tablets;
• Required: Proficiency in written and spoken Spanish and/or Cantonese.

Pay is commensurate with experience. To apply, send your resume to census@coopersquare.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.