Community Advocate (Posted 7/7/11, Updated 2/16/12)
About CAA
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 Pacific Islander (API) community. We advocate for systemic change that protects immigrant rights, promotes language diversity, and remedies racial injustice.
At the grassroots level, our community building work nurtures the ability of immigrants to participate fully in civic life. These activities include leadership development for monolingual public school parents, employment services for limited-English proficient newcomers, outreach for immigrant legal services, and community education underscoring issues that impact our constituency.
CAA leads advocacy to improve public policy and to inform public discourse. We produce community-based research, publish policy analyses and recommendations, shape opinion through ethnic and mainstream media, and organize to engage elected and government officials.
Key Responsibilities
- Recruit and retain members in targeted neighborhoods to engage in community initiatives and activities;
- Develop and implement advocacy trainings that build leadership and skills among community members to effectively participate in organizing and action strategies;
- Create and implement program development, implementation and evaluation plans;
- Develop informational materials and advocacy strategies for outreach and media campaigns;
- Develop relationships and collaboration with local groups, community leaders, public officials;
- Conduct community based research and analysis to identify issues affecting low-income and immigrant communities;
- Write reports to demonstrate progress and impact; and
- Represent CAA at community events and public hearings.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, ethnic studies, sociology or related field desired.
- Oral fluency in Cantonese required, written fluency in Chinese a plus.
- Two years experience in developing and implementing grassroots advocacy campaigns.
- Experience in developing leadership development curriculum and trainings, a plus.
- Commitment to social justice and to CAA’s core values.
- Experience working in low-income and immigrant communities.
- Strong culturally competent facilitation and conflict resolution skills.
- Excellent inter-group, communication and analytical skills.
- Ability to work both independently and commitment to working as part of a team.
- Willingness to work flexible hours- including weeknights and weekends.
- Ability to work in fast paced environment.
- Proficiency with word processing, email and other computer programs.
- Have a valid driver’s license. Access to a car, a plus.
How To Apply
Please send resume and cover letter to employment (at) caasf (dot) org.
Visit our websites at www.caasf.org, www.aacre.org, and www.apiequality.org to learn more about our work. CAA is an equal opportunity employer. Women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals encouraged to apply.
download this job announcement as a PDF
CAA Internship Program (ongoing)
About CAA
CAA was founded in 1969 to protect the civil and political rights of Chinese Americans in the interest of advancing multiracial democracy in the United States. Today, CAA is a progressive voice in and on behalf of the broader Asian Pacific Islander (API) community. We advocate for systemic change that remedies racial injustice, ensures equal opportunities for communities of color, and reduces barriers facing immigrants. Though our constituency encompasses the broader API community, we prioritize the needs of low-income, immigrant, and limited-English proficient individuals.
About the Internship Program
CAA seeks motivated, self-starting individuals interested in structured mentorship and building versatile professional skills. The CAA Intern is responsible for supporting our programs across various areas and functions, including our program advocacy and operational support.
The internship is unpaid. For students, CAA may offer academic credit if requested by the student and accepted by the applicant’s school. CAA seeks applicants to commit to a minimum of 15-20 hours per week for a 3-month period throughout 2012. The positions are filled on a rolling basis.
Program Areas
Depending on the skills and interests of the intern, program participants will be assigned to a particular program area with CAA, but will be exposed to the overall mission and functions of a nonprofit. The program areas include:
- Immigrant Rights
- Employment Services and Advocacy
- Grassroots Organizing
- Policy Research
- Communications
- Fundraising
Responsibilities
Interns can expect to support the following work areas, with flexible options based on motivation and skills:
- Support staff with coordination of campaign canvassing, outreach, and advocacy.
- Assist with tracking data systems (database, precinct lists, phonebanking lists, etc.).
- Assist with coordination of community events and workshops.
- Support in translation and interpretation, as needed.
- Track and clip news articles covering CAA press events and issues.
- Maintain database of media/reporter contacts.
- Make pitch calls to reporters.
- Conduct email marketing and social media marketing research.
- Photograph and videotape special events.
- Generate donor acknowledgement and relations.
- Track changes in donor database and maintain contacts.
- Assist with event planning.
- Assist with special projects as necessary.
Qualifications
- Proficient with Microsoft Office suite.
- Excellent written and oral communication.
- Ability to work independently and in team settings.
- Great organizational skills with strong attention to detail.
- Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills.
- Sense of humor and understanding of diverse viewpoints.
- Ability to think creatively and outside-the-box.
- Preferred: Experience in civil rights-oriented organizations (including student groups), volunteering or nonprofits preferred. Knowledge of Asian and Pacific Islander issues a plus.
- Bonus: Bilingual and bi-cultural in Cantonese or Mandarin–reading, writing, or verbal.
- Bonus: Experience with event planning.
- Bonus: Skilled in Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and graphic design in general.
To apply
Please email a cover letter, resume, and minimum two (2) page writing sample to hire(at)caasf(dot)org, identifying when you will be available, with the subject of “CAA Internship Program Application”. For more information about CAA, please visit our website.
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