Building Dignity and Respect Standards Council

Human Rights Program Lead

Based in Chittenden County, VT

 

The Building Dignity and Respect Program (BDR) is a Human Rights program built to prevent wage theft and other worker exploitation while monitoring wages and safe and respectful working conditions in the non-union sectors of the construction industry. In light of 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 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, including through the provision and coordination of technical assistance and training, upon request. 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 a Vermont Program Lead. In collaboration with the executive director, the successful candidate will work with all aspects of the program including program implementation, contractor audits and complaint investigation. Audits and investigations include extensive contact and interviews with construction workers, supervisors, and contractor management in both Spanish and English. The Program Lead will play a key role in 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 Program Lead will also train and supervise additional auditors.

This position is based in Chittenden County, Vermont. The position involves regular travel to work sites throughout the state of Vermont and occasional longer trips for conferences, educational events or collaboration. The salary range is $60,000 to $70,000, depending on qualifications and experience.

Responsibilities

• Work with developers to join program
• Coordinate and conduct comprehensive audits of contractors
• Intake, investigate, and resolve confidential 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 database
• Work with contractors to improve standards in order to correct violations, and prevent future violations through audits, Complaint Resolutions and Corrective Action Plans
• Supervise a small team of Vermont-based staff and manage VT satellite office
• Perform additional duties and projects as assigned

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
• 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
• Experience working with low-income and/or immigrant communities, working for human rights, and/or facilitating difficult conversations

Benefits
Benefits would begin on the first of the month following at least 30 days of employment and would include health insurance and dental. We offer sick leave, 13 holidays inclusive of 4 floating holidays, and a vacation policy that begins with 3 weeks of vacation, prorated in the first year.

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 Program Lead 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.