Community Organizer / Organizing Manager Job Description
BACKGROUND AND MISSION
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity.
For 30 years, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago (“Advancing Justice | Chicago”) has worked to bring together the Asian American community and create change in our communities. We are deeply committed to grassroots community organizing and we invest in the leadership of grassroots community members through trainings, community education, civic engagement, and collaborative issue-based campaigns. In order to strengthen our work and transform the inequities in our city, state, and Midwest region, we work with multiracial coalitions that emphasize racial equity, accountability to those most impacted, and an infrastructure of grassroots leadership. Our advocacy work focuses on promoting racial, economic, and immigrant justice, including initiatives in the areas of voting rights, language access, education equity, criminal justice, and immigrant rights.
As part of the national Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation, Advancing Justice | Chicago is a leader in the nationwide Asian American movement. Regionally, Advancing Justice | Chicago is prioritizing the Midwest region and collaborating with partners across Midwestern states to tackle common struggles and build collective power.
Asian American Midwest Progressives builds political power through collective advocacy and electoral organizing to achieve racial equity.
Founded in December 2018, Asian American Midwest Progressives (AAMP) endorses progressive candidates, mobilizes Asian American voters, and holds elected officials accountable through issue-based campaigns. Currently, AAMP organizes in Illinois and Ohio.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Community Organizer position is an opportunity for a strategic and motivated relationship-builder to build power in the Asian American community, develop grassroots leadership, lead strategic issue campaigns, and move community members to take action.
Depending on experience, applicants may be considered for a Chicago Organizing Manager position, with additional responsibilities of managing community organizers, instead of the Community Organizer position. We will only be hiring one position, either a Community Organizer or Chicago Organizing Manager, depending on the applicant pool. Additional responsibilities and qualifications to be considered for an Organizing Manager position are described below.
This position will fall under the staff sharing agreement between Advancing Justice | Chicago and Asian American Midwest Progressives (AAMP) so a portion of time will be spent on 501(c)(4) activities including partisan electoral work.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop grassroots leaders through A Just Chi, Advancing Justice | Chicago’s base-building program for community members who want to build power, work on issue campaigns, and advance racial equity;
- Organize in-person and virtual events, workshops, and trainings;
- Represent Advancing Justice | Chicago in coalition spaces and contribute to coalition-led issue-based campaigns, primarily around criminal justice reform and police accountability;
- Organize community members to take action on key issues, such as police accountability, criminal justice reform, and the intersection of criminalization and immigration or “crimmigration”;
- Engage a broader base of individuals through virtual outreach (e.g., SMS/texting outreach, emails, social media, etc.);
- Assist development staff in program-related fundraising;
- Collaborate with other staff on organization-wide initiatives.
KEY ASIAN AMERICAN MIDWEST PROGRESSIVES RESPONSIBILITES
- Develop grassroots leaders to build political power through electoral organizing and build out year-round 501(c)(4) base-building infrastructure;
- Assist in executing AAMP’s grassroots endorsement process;
- Organize canvasses, phonebanks, and other voter outreach and field work;
- Plan and execute political events such as public meetings, forums, etc.;
- Support stewarding co-governing relationships with endorsed candidates and key decision makers at city, state, and county levels;
- Assist in fundraising for AAMP.
ADDITIONAL/ADJUSTED RESPONSIBILITES FOR ORGANIZING MANAGER ROLE
Supervise 1-2 community organizers (fewer AAMP responsibilities to balance workplan), which includes but is not limited to:
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- Weekly supervisory check-ins;
- Coaching and holding staff accountable to fulfilling their base-building goals, campaign responsibilities, and grant deliverables;
- Assisting staff with program budget management;
- Monthly check-ins with the supervisory team for support and feedback.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience in issue-based and electoral organizing as a volunteer or staff member;
- Strong commitment to social justice, racial equity, and civil rights;
- Proven track record of building strong relationships;
- Ability to work independently, think creatively, and prioritize multiple tasks;
- Ability to learn new skills and willingness to be coached and trained;
- Detail-oriented, organized, and able to manage time effectively,
- Commitment to proactively sharing and thoughtfully receiving feedback;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Openness and ability to adapt and respond to changes in the environment;
- Flexible working hours, including some evenings and weekends (compensatory time is offered for evening and weekend work);
- Proficiency with online platforms such as Zoom, Google Drive, and Microsoft 365/Microsoft Office Suite;
- Experience with any of the following is helpful but not required:
- Working in Asian American or immigrant communities;
- Leading trainings on community organizing principles or skills;
- Issue area expertise around criminal justice reform, police accountability, and “crimmigration”;
- Working for elected officials or in government in another capacity;
- Bilingual in English and an Asian language.
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR ORGANIZING MANAGER ROLE
- 2-4 years of experience in community organizing/base-building, grassroots leadership development, and working on issue-based campaigns;
- 1-2 years of experience effectively managing, coaching, or mentoring individuals for leadership and professional development purposes;
- Ability to effectively supervise multiple individuals, including permanent and temporary staff.
COMPENSATION
Exempt, full-time position. The starting salary range for the Community Organizer position is $50,000 – $60,000 based on experience. The starting salary range for the Chicago Organizing Manager position is $60,000 – $70,000 based on experience. Advancing Justice | Chicago offers a generous full benefits package.
Both positions are represented by a collective bargaining unit and are subject to the terms and conditions of the contract between Advancing Justice | Chicago and the Chicago News Guild.
INQUIRY AND APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications should be submitted via email to work@advancingjustice-chicago.org and include:
- Letter of interest/cover letter
- Resume
- Writing sample of your choosing
- 2 references (please include name, title, and email address and/or phone number)
Please include “Community Organizer” in the subject line of your email and indicate which position(s) you would like to be considered for (Community Organizer and/or Chicago Organizing Manager) in the body of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but applications received by May 28 will be prioritized.
Note: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Advancing Justice | Chicago staff are currently working in-person at our Uptown office at least two days a week, with optional remote work for three days a week, which is subject to change. If you are invited for an interview, the interview may be held in person or over video conference.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, age, height, weight, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, marital or domestic partner status, or religious affiliation.
www.advancingjustice-chicago.org
*Updated 3/14/23