Tenant Advocacy & Engagement Manager

Tenant Advocacy & Engagement Manager

Job Title:

Tenant Advocacy & Engagement Manager

Department:
Tenant Protection Team (TPT)

Employment Type:

Part-timeto full-time (as funding supports)

Remote-Hybrid

Compensation: $75, (Exempt, non-union management position)

Reports to:

Tenant Education & Support Director

Location:

Oregon statewide, with frequent travel due to in-person events

Duration: through June 30, 2026 (renewal dependent on funding)

The Community Alliance of Tenants (CAT) is Oregon’s only statewide, grassroots, tenant-led membership organization. Founded in 1996, CAT’s mission is to educate and empower tenants to demand safe, stable, and affordable housing. Our membership base includes low-income tenants, predominately low-wage workers, families with children, people living with disabilities, seniors, and tenants from diverse backgrounds.

CAT builds tenant power through education, organizing, and advocacy. We operate a renters’ rights hotline, host community workshops, and organize tenants to lead a culturally humble, equity-driven housing justice movement. We are committed to long-term systems change led by those most impacted by Oregon’s housing crisis.

The Tenant Advocacy & Engagement Manager provides strategic leadership with advocacy initiatives, and community engagement efforts such as tenant organizing. This position oversees Tenant Advocacy & Engagement staff, builds strong relationships with tenants and community partners, and advances policy and systems change to improve housing conditions and tenant protections. The role combines people-centered leadership, campaign strategy, and community-based advocacy.

Staff are expected to uphold the organization's integrity and reputation, as representatives of CAT. Employees must refrain from making public statements—whether in media, online platforms, or other public forums that could be construed as defamatory, disparaging, or otherwise harmful to CAT, its mission, staff, or community partners. Constructive feedback should be directed through internal channels.

This position requires reliable personal transportation to attend in-person statewide meetings, events, training, and conferences. Staff must be able to travel independently as work duties require. CAT provides reimbursement for mileage incurred during work-related travel, in accordance with organizational policy and funding guidelines.

• Lead and support tenant organizing campaigns focused on housing stability, tenant rights, and equitable housing policies
• Develop leadership pathways for tenants, including trainings, workshops, and leadership development programs
• Support tenant associations, councils, and coalitions in building collective power
• Ensure organizing strategies are inclusive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed
• Contribute to strategic initiatives aligned with CAT’s 2025–2027 Strategic Plan.

• Develop and implement advocacy strategies aligned with organizational priorities
• Collaborate with tenants to identify policy goals and campaign demands
• Represent the organization in coalitions, public forums, and meetings with elected officials and agency staff
• Support tenant participation in hearings, public testimony, and advocacy actions

• Build and maintain strong relationships with community-based organizations, service providers, and advocacy partners
• Facilitate community meetings, listening sessions, and outreach activities
• Serve as a trusted liaison between tenants, community stakeholders, and the organization
• Strengthen community visibility and engagement through events and collaborative initiatives
• Make hotline calls or provide in-person consultation to renters, utilizing Landlord-Tenant law and Fair Housing training and information.

• Supervise, coach, and support organizing and community engagement staff
• Set goals, monitor progress, and evaluate program outcomes
• Collaborate with senior leadership on strategic planning and organizational development
• Support grant…