Economic Justice Community Advocate

Organization Background

Chinese for Affirmative Action was founded in 1969 to protect the civil rights of Chinese Americans and to advance multiracial democracy in the United States. Today, CAA is a progressive voice in and on behalf of the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) community. We advocate for systemic change that advances equity and addresses challenges facing our community.

At the grassroots level, our community building work nurtures the ability of immigrants to participate fully in civic life. These activities include direct services, leadership development, and civic engagement with limited-English proficient newcomers and immigrants on issues that impact our community. At the systemic level, CAA leads advocacy, communications, and movement building work to improve public policy and shape public discourse. We produce community-based research, publish policy analyses and recommendations, influence opinion through media, organize to engage elected and government officials, and nurture a range of progressive coalitions.

Position Overview
Join CAA’s Economic Justice program to help immigrant community members build economic stability and self-sufficiency in the City of San Francisco amidst COVID-19 recovery and reopening. The Economic Justice program implements CAA’s holistic approach to economic development which recognizes the immediate needs of individuals searching for work, and also the longer term goal of developing a local economy that benefits all San Franciscans, particularly those who have been historically marginalized. To these ends, this position will focus primarily on direct service provision, community education, and civic engagement.

The ideal candidate is personable and has strong language skills. They are comfortable interacting with clients over-the-phone, virtually, and in one-on-one settings. They are discerning when asking about sensitive/confidential information and are able to help clients make the best possible case for themselves in job applications and interviews. They are also flexible and can think on their feet when troubleshooting questions from clients.

This position reports to the Economic Justice Program Manager and will be mostly remote through December 2021, with the possibility of intermittent in-person services and activities, depending on various circumstances, before then.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a spectrum of direct services on workforce development and job readiness to working class, limited English proficient (LEP), Chinese immigrants:
  • Coordinate and conduct outreach and recruitment activities;
  • Conduct intakes and assessments for community members seeking employment;
  • Support job seekers with job readiness services including application processes, resume writing, interview preparation, arranging interviews, job retention skills; and computer lab/digital literacy;
  • Refer qualified applicants to employers and training programs, and conduct necessary follow-up for placement and retention;
• Administration
  • Create and maintain client files, physical and digital, to ensure that compliance forms are accurate and complete, and report on client progress; 
• Host and conduct virtual and in-person computer labs, workshops, and presentations as they relate to supporting economic stability;
• Participate and represent CAA with employers, industry representatives, and union representatives, and also in community collaborations related to workforce development;
• Based on the provision of direct services, and knowledge of the community, inform CAA’s economic justice advocacy efforts; 
• Support the planning, coordination, and staffing of CAA events, cross-program and organization-wide, such as community workshops, outreach opportunities, leadership development training meetings, and CAA-wide events, which often take place on evenings and weekends; and
• Contribute to organization wide activities and programming that support CAA’s strategic priorities.

Qualifications

• Oral fluency in Cantonese required, additionally, Mandarin a plus;
• Chinese literacy, preferred;
• Experience in providing direct  services to low-income and/or limited English-proficient immigrant communities preferred (ie job counseling, assessment, and job placement);
• Strong computer skills and familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, Google platform, and Salesforce;
• Excellent English writing and communication skills;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a larger team;
• Strong organizational skills with attention to details;
• Commitment to CAA’s mission and goals;
• Knowledge of social justice issues impacting Asian Pacific Islander communities;
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed, with options for flex time or overtime pay.

https://caasf.org/position/economic-justice-community-advocate/