Community Organizer- Oakland, CA

Organization: Asian Pacific Environmental Network

Position Title: Community Organizer

Location: 310 8th Street, Suite 309, Oakland, CA, 94607, US

Hours and Compensation: full time, salary dependent on experience

Application Deadline: open until filled

Languages: Cantonese (fluency required), Mandarin (proficiency preferred), English

Organization Overview

The Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN) is looking for a motivated and driven community organizer to build the power of grassroots Asian and Pacific Islander communities to advance environmental, social and economic justice. APEN was founded in 1993 to bring together a collective voice among diverse API communities to fight for the right of all people to a clean and healthy environment in which to live, work and play. Currently, the organization is embarking on an exciting and important member-driven statewide campaign to ensure that API immigrants and refugees most impacted by climate change are at the forefront in fighting for local clean renewable energy. APEN’s key strategies are designed to build power necessary to make progressive change – base building and leadership development in Oakland Chinatown and the City of Richmond, leading a statewide climate coalition, building statewide electoral infrastructure, and waging campaigns to advance our environmental justice agenda.

Description

The community organizer is a member of our organizing team who supports Chinese community members to lead campaigns for clean renewable energy and jobs. The organizer plays a crucial role in leading our policy and campaign work, developing the leadership of our members to engage in advocacy, campaign, and electoral actions, and providing interpretation and translation to make these processes accessible to monolingual members. This position is full-time, primarily based in our Oakland, CA office with potentially some time spent in our Richmond, CA office. The Campaign & Organizing Director will be the direct supervisor of this position; however, the organizer will work closely in a team with other staff organizers.

Responsibilities

1. Organize low-income, immigrant Chinese community members

• Contribute to setting organizing goals and plans for recruitment
• Conduct outreach and various activities to gain new members and new constituencies
• Ensure member participation in various leadership development and campaign activities
• Contribute to developing organizing systems and methods
• Interpret and translate activities & materials when necessary
• Coordinate & implement logistics for various activities, including providing transportation, arranging childcare
• Document & track the participation of members

2. Develop the leadership of members

• Support members to improve needed skills (e.g. public speaking, grassroots fundraising, critical thinking & analysis, campaign strategy, electoral phone-banking)
• Work with members to deepen political consciousness (e.g. critical analysis of political context; understanding of the importance of transformative organizing; shared commitment to vision; exposure to different social justice issues)

3. Craft campaign, political, and alliance building strategy

• Lead local and state campaigns, including political strategy development and alliance building
• Conduct research and analysis of policy/legislative changes that are needed
• Work with members to identify counter-hegemonic campaign demands
• Plan and implement campaign goals & activities
• Support members to lead campaign strategy & implementation
• Build relationships, alliances and coalitions to move campaigns
• Share, learn and exchange with other social justice allies

4. Support building the strength of the overall organization

• Contribute to overall planning processes, including yearly & strategic planning
• Participate in grassroots & foundation fundraising

Qualifications

• Commitment to the mission and principles of APEN and social justice
• Fluency in Cantonese required, Mandarin proficiency also preferred. Confident with ability to interpret & translate
• Experience working in the API community and social justice movement; community organizing experience preferred
• Experience working on campaigns and conducting advocacy strongly desired
• Experience working with labor unions and/or on worker’s rights issues strongly desired.
• Strong English communication skills (written & verbal)
• Self motivated, responsible, proactive, and disciplined
• Team-oriented, with a commitment to principled struggle
• Willing to work some evenings and weekends
• Willing to travel
• Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a car with valid insurance

How to Apply

Applications are due electronically to Mariko Masaoka-Drew, Operations Coordinator at [email protected] with the title “Community Organizer” in the subject line and must include:

• Resume including chronological employment history
• Cover letter describing interest in the position, qualifications, salary history, and expectations
•  Three references

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.

APEN is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color, queer, and gender non-conforming people strongly encouraged to apply.