Community Building Assistant

ABOUT RED HOOK INITIATIVE (RHI)

Red Hook Initiative (RHI) is a community-based nonprofit working to improve the lives of the more than 6500 residents of Red Hook Houses Brooklyns largest public housing complex. RHI believes that the social change to overcome systemic inequities begins with empowered youth and that change in communities should come from partnership with community adults we nurture young people in Red Hook to be inspired resilient and healthy and to envision themselves as co-creators of their lives community and society.

Youth development community building and community hiring are at the core of RHIs approach to strengthen Red Hooks future. Our model gives young people and residents the tools resources and opportunities they need to interrupt the systems and barriers that perpetuate historic inequities for the community. Residents lead the way toward a more equitable hopeful future. Over our 20-year history RHIs model and dedicated team have been nationally recognized for its innovative place-based approach to social change.

RHIs programs include:

• Youth Development: RHI engages over 450 adolescents each year from middle school through young adulthood endeavoring to interrupt cycles of injustice and to build hope.
• Building Community: Working with Red Hook youth and adults to organize exercise leadership to drive positive change for the community and increase social cohesion to build a more resilient neighborhood.
• Investing in Residents: RHI hires locally and invests in residents who will improve their lives and the community in which they live. More than $1.1M was earned in the last year by people from Red Hook.
• Red Hook Farms: A youth-centered urban agriculture and food justice program operating one of Brooklyns original and largest farms. Red Hook Farms cultivates affordable fresh produce and provides STEM and nutrition education leadership development and employment opportunities for local youth and residents.

JOB SUMMARY

The Community Building Assistant will work alongside the Community Building Team at RHI to support the teams community organizing efforts as well as the 529 Community Scholarship project. Current organizing campaigns include public housing organizing engaging residents in the Brooklyn Marine Terminal development and educational organizing within Red Hooks public schools. The CB Assistant will work for the first half of Program Year 2026 (January to June 2026). They will participate in relevant campaign meetings support the Community Building Team by co- hosting community events individual outreach as well as data entry and support the 2026 Organizing Academy. Additionally the CB Assistant will support the launch of RHIs Community Scholarship fund and engage with parents whose children will be receiving funds to activate and set up accounts.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES RESPONSIBILITIES

• • Outreach and Community Engagement
    • Support outreach efforts for Community Building events
      • Team events and collaborations
      • Flyer distribution
      • Tabling at community events and community partner events
      • Managing a sign in sheet and table
  • Support of the Organizing Academy Program
    • Recruitment support
    • Follow up with applicants
    • Support with ordering snacks/food
    • Room set up & breakdown
    • Co-facilitation
  • 529 Community Scholarship Engagement
    • Support eligible parents 1:1 and in a group setting with enrolling in the Community Scholarship program recently launched by RHI and NYC Kids Rise
    • Educating parents at P.S. 15 and PAVE about the 529 scholarship
    • Tabling at school events dismissal and making announcements as needed

• Database management

• • • Updating database with information collected at tabling events
    • Creating/updating Google Spreadsheets with sign in sheets from CB events/event collaborations

• Event support and coordination

• • Support with event set up and break down
  • Ability to delegate light tasks to any volunteers and or youth leaders

May be assigned other duties and responsibilities as determined by the Senior Manager of Community Building.

COMPETENCIES (Knowledge Skills & Personal Attributes)

• Deep connection to and knowledge of the Red Hook community.
• Able to work as part of a team yet take initiative and work independently.
• Able to work outdoors and in inclement weather and willing to be on their feet for most of the day.
• Bi-lingual Spanish/ Cantonese (preferred but not required)

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Computer skills and proficiency with Google (specifically Gmail and Google Drive).
• High school graduate or equivalent preferred.

WORKING CONDITIONS (ENVIRONMENT) & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The RHI work environment is characteristic of a typical indoor office/program environment and the noise level is generally moderate. Time will also be spent at the Red Hook Farm where the employee will be outside and on their feet.
• While performing the essential duties and responsibilities of the job the employee will be required to operate a computer and other office equipment.
• This job is based on-site at RHIs main program office and the farm in Red Hook Brooklyn. The ideal candidate will either be a resident of Red Hook or one of its neighboring communities or will be within reasonable commuting distance to RHIs main program office.

COMMITMENT TO DEI & EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY RHI actively engages individuals from all backgrounds and is committed to embracing diversity across all areas and aspects of the organization. We firmly believe that an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect towards individual differences and embracing an inclusive and equitable environment is indispensable to building a successful organization contributing to a positive and meaningful employment experience for staff and advancing the best possible outcomes for the clients served by RHIs programs. We are also committed to community hiring and supporting the job prospects of Red Hook residents.

As an equal opportunity employer RHI is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race color national origin religion sex sexual orientation gender gender identity and expression disability age marital status military status veteran status pregnancy parental status genetic information or any other characteristic or basis prohibited by applicable law.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITSRHI strives to offer a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our core values and commitment to our employees. The salary range for this position is $23/hour to commensurate with an employees or candidates competencies and experience. This position will require work on Saturdays June through November. RHI provides a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical dental and vision coverage an employee assistance program (EAP) 403b retirement plan flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health dependent and commuter expenses life insurance and 24 PTO days.

TO APPLY Please log on to the RHI career portal at: Issued: January 7th 2026

Required Experience:

Junior IC