A conversation about workers, communities and social justice

CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities of New York City Seeks Public Housing Organizer (Chinese-speaking)

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CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities is seeking a dynamic Public Housing Organizer to organize Chinese tenants as part of our pan-Asian organizing of Bangladeshi, Chinese, and Korean tenants living in public housing. The ideal candidate will have a proven ability to build relationships with low-income Asian immigrants and be confident in door knocking, leadership development, campaign planning and development to fight displacement and win greater NYCHA accountability connecting the tenant organizing to a larger more radical housing agenda.

About CAAAV:

CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities builds the leadership of Asian immigrant and refugee communities in New York City to fight for racial, gender, and economic justice. We work closely in local coalitions and national alliances addressing issues including gentrification, police brutality, and fighting for larger reforms with an analysis on structural racism, patriarchy, and capitalism. With a membership base of over 300 members and a base of over 3,000 supporters, CAAAV has been fighting for justice for communities of color in the U.S. for over 30 years.

Responsibilities

The primary responsibilities of the Public Housing Organizer are:

  • Building the leadership of Chinese tenants living in NYCHA through know your rights trainings, political education, and skills trainings.
  • Recruiting, managing, and training bilingual volunteers and interns to conduct outreach.
  • Building relationships with community organizations and Queensbridge’s Tenant Association to engage Asian tenants in larger multiracial organizing efforts.
  • Conducting consistent outreach/doorknocking with Chinese tenants for meetings and actions.
  • Holding monthly membership meetings for Mandarin and Cantonese speaking tenants informing and engaging their ideas on CAAAV’s strategy/tactics.
  • Holding weekly office hours at Queensbridge assisting tenants with their needs regarding interpretation/translation of key NYCHA documents as well as navigating NYCHA’s Customer Contact Center (CCC) for repair issues.
  • Coordinate broader NYCHA campaign goals/strategy with Bengali and Korean tenant organizers and respective members through weekly meetings and other systems of communication.
    • Participate in planned individual, staff, and organizational evaluation activities.
    • Participate in regular staff development and political development activities.
    • Assist in office management duties and other work as laid out by supervisor.

Qualifications

We’re seeking candidates who excel in relationship-building, have strong verbal and written communications skills, and have strong project management skills with a strong commitment to CAAAV’s mission and movement building:

  • At least 1-2 years of community or labor organizing experience.
  • Fluency in Mandarin and Cantonese. (verbal required, written preferred)
  • Cultural/language competency in working with limited English proficient Asian and South Asian immigrant communities.
  • Experience managing projects and an ability to oversee a team of volunteers and interns preferred.
  • Excellent interpersonal, written communications, and public speaking skills.
  • Campaign development/strategy experience preferred.

How to Apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to jobs@caaav.org with subject heading: PUBLIC HOUSING ORGANIZER by July 15. This position is a full-time position (averaging 40-45 hours/week) with accrued paid vacation and sick days. Pay is commensurate on experience. CAAAV is an equal opportunity employer. Women, immigrants, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and people of color from low-income communities are strongly encouraged to apply.