Building Dignity and Respect Standards Council

Executive Director

Based in Minneapolis, MN

 

The Building Dignity and Respect Program (BDR) is a Human Rights program built to prevent wage theft and other worker exploitation while securing dignified wages and safe and respectful working conditions in the non-union sectors of the construction industry. Considering the workforce and contractor demographics, this position requires fluency in spoken and written Spanish and English.

BDR is a Worker-driven Social Responsibility (WSR) initiative inspired by the groundbreaking work of the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) and adapted from the CIW’s highly acclaimed Fair Food Program as well as the Milk with Dignity Program in Vermont. BDR rests on a strong commitment to empower workers through labor rights education and access to a protected complaint mechanism, so that they may form the first line of defense against labor abuses. The model supplements these efforts with independent audits of contractors and working conditions on participating building sites.

The Building Dignity and Respect Standards Council (BDC) was established to address the Program’s need for an independent entity to monitor and enforce its standards under the construction worker-defined BDC Code of Conduct (Code), which represents Twin Cities construction workers’ definition of the human right to work with dignity. BDC conducts audits of Participating Contractors to verify their compliance with the Code of Conduct. In addition, BDC investigates complaints lodged through the program’s worker support line.

BDC works closely with participating contractors to help them reach compliance with the Code. When audits or complaint investigations result in findings of Code violations, BDC works with Participating Contractors to create Corrective Action Plans and Complaint Resolutions designed to address identified violations and make workers whole.

About the Position
BDC is seeking to hire an Executive Director to continue the work of building the organization and beginning implementation. Since spring of 2020, the current director has worked with board members, part-time staff, allies and partners to establish the organization, build infrastructure, and adapt the WSR model to construction. In addition, extensive work has been done to educate elected officials, labor enforcement agencies, developers, and the broader public about the nature of the current crisis and the innovative, worker-centered solution that the BDR program offers.

The successful candidate will work with all aspects of the organization including administration, fundraising, ally relationships, program development and implementation, and staff hiring and supervision. Audits and investigations include extensive contact and interviews with construction workers, supervisors, and contractor management in both Spanish and English. The Executive Director will be directly involved in conducting audits and investigating complaints, designing and implementing Corrective Action Plans and Complaint Resolutions, and drafting written audit reports that clearly explain BDC’s findings about relevant working conditions. As the program expands, the Executive Director will train and supervise additional auditors and other staff.

BDC is based in Minnesota with an office in south Minneapolis. The position would involve regular travel to meetings and construction sites in the 7-County metropolitan area and occasional longer trips for conferences, educational events or collaboration. The salary range is $65,000 to $85,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Responsibilities

• Work with the Board of Directors to carry out the mission of BDC
• Represent the organization and the BDR Program
• Maintain the basic organizational infrastructure
• Raise funds for the organization through grants, donors and other sources
• Hire, supervise and develop the staff
• Work with developers to join the program
• Work with other staff to coordinate and conduct comprehensive audits of participating contractors
• Intake, investigate, and resolve confidential worker complaints
• Conduct sensitive interviews with construction workers, supervisors, and management
• Prepare detailed, accurate notes from interviews and complaint investigations
• Work closely with other staff to improve auditing methods and tools
• Organize/analyze data from audits and complaints using our Salesforce database
• Work with contractors to improve their standards in order to correct violations, and prevent future violations through audits, Complaint Resolutions and Corrective Action Plans
• Perform additional duties and projects as assigned by the Board

Qualifications and Skills Desired

• Fluency in Spanish and English;
• Strong communication and interviewing skills;
• Excellent writing and documentation skills, including attention to detail;
• Ability to connect facts and discern patterns;
• Ability to interact well with people of different nationalities, genders, and educational backgrounds;
• Willingness to work irregular hours and comfort working outdoors;
• Ability to work well as part of a team as well as independently;
• Ability to work closely with labor and community allies
• Disciplined work habits and initiative;
• Driver’s license and ability to maintain reliable access to a vehicle;
• Experience and knowledge of the construction industry would be helpful but not required;
• Significant experience working with low-income and/or immigrant communities, working for labor and/or human rights
• Significant experience supervising staff

To Apply
Applicants should send a cover letter and a résumé or CV to careers@buildingdignityandrespect.org. The subject line of the email should read BDC Executive Director Position. Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.

BDC is an equal opportunity employer committed to developing a workforce that reflects and can relate easily to the diverse populations involved in the BDR Program.