NOW HIRING! Community Organizer

BACKGROUND AND MISSION
Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago builds power through collective advocacy and organizing to achieve racial equity. 

For over 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 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.  

This position will fall under the staff sharing agreement between Advancing Justice | Chicago and Asian American Midwest Progressives (AAMP) so a portion of time may be spent on 501(c)(4) activities including partisan electoral work.  

Key Advancing Justice | Chicago 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; 
    • Co-lead A Just Chi Core Team, which meets on a monthly basis, and co-plan monthly A Just Chi political education workshops; 
    • Lead A Just Chi’s Immigrant Justice working group, which includes managing a working group core team that meets monthly, co-planning monthly working group meetings with the core team, conducting one-on-ones with prospective and new members, and planning events and workshops; 
    • Cultivate leadership development by mentoring 2-3 grassroots leaders through regular individual mentorship meetings and supporting those leaders in mentoring others; 
    • Collaborate with other staff organizers on overall A Just Chi recruitment and member engagement; 
    • Lead the planning and execution of an annual joint Advancing Justice | Chicago and AAMP member assembly; 
    • Organize community members to take action on immigrant rights and voting rights issues; 
    • Represent Advancing Justice | Chicago in coalition spaces (such as the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights) and contribute to coalition-led issue-based campaigns, primarily around immigrant rights and voting rights; 
    • Mobilize grassroots leaders to participate in rapid response campaigns as needed; 
    • Support at least two multi-day organizing trainings per year, including facilitating sessions and recruiting and preparing members; 
    • Engage a broader base of individuals through virtual outreach (e.g., SMS/texting outreach, emails, social media, etc.); 
    • Update internal data management systems regularly in Salesforce and/or Airtable; 
    • Assist development staff in program-related fundraising; 
    • Collaborate with and support other staff on organization-wide initiatives, such as our annual lobby day in Springfield and annual fundraising campaigns. 

Key Asian American Midwest Progressives Responsibilities: 

• • Support Organizing Manager and other AAMP staff on recruitment, member engagement, and leadership development.
    
    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 (flex 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 immigrant rights; 

• Working for elected officials or in government in another capacity; 

• Bilingual in English and an Asian language. 

COMPENSATION 

Exempt, full-time position. The starting salary range for the Community Organizer position is $55,000 – $65,000 based on experience. Advancing Justice | Chicago offers a generous full benefits package. 

This position is represented by a collective bargaining unit and is 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 

• Two references (please include name, title, and email address and/or phone number) 

Please include “Community Organizer” in the subject line of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but applications received by July 31, 2024 will be prioritized. 

Note: Given the COVID-19 pandemic, Advancing Justice | Chicago and AAMP staff are currently working in-person at our Uptown office two days a week (Tue/Thu) with optional work-from-home three days a week (Mon/Weds/Fri), 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 and Asian American Midwest Progressives are equal opportunity/affirmative action employers. 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