The Community Organizer will work with the Organizing Team to build power together with Asian Americans in Virginia through a base of community members who are eager and excited to engage in issue-based campaigns. In particular, this organizer will work with individuals and raise organizational visibility in Korean American communities. This individual will be passionate about seeking out the issues that impact our communities, developing community member voices, and empowering community leaders to take action for themselves. This individual will fight to make sure that those who are most impacted have a seat and voice at decision-making tables. 
Responsibilities
Organizing (65%)
- Conduct one-on-one conversations with Korean-speaking individuals primarily in Northern Virginia to understand issues and identify people to join base
- Build a base of active community members through direct outreach and peer engagement to engage with Hamkae Center services and develop their leadership and political potential
- Facilitate community meetings, events, and training participation
- Develop clear leadership opportunities for base and activate engagement in campaigns
- Interpret for community members when necessary to facilitate their involvement in campaigns
- Recruit members into organization
- Keep organized notes on community member one-on-one interactions and outreaches
- Refer community members to other teams at Hamkae Center as appropriate
Outreach (25%)
- Conduct outreach to talk to people directly, which includes but not limited to door-to-door outreach, home visits, phonebanking, texting, tabling at events / places of worship / shopping centers, etc.
- Create community education and outreach resources in Korean as needed
Leadership (10%)  
- Participate in weekly organizing team meetings and staff meetings.
- Participate in year-round organizing, civic engagement, and fundraising campaigns with rest of Hamkae Center team
- Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:   
- Mission alignment: Commitment to social, economic and racial justice. A belief in community’s ability to support each other, organize and achieve desired goals together.   
- Oral fluency in Korean and English; conversational written literacy in Korean and English
- Confident and skilled in starting new conversations and relationships across different experiences
- Can communicate relevant information clearly and persuasively
- Sees setbacks as learning opportunities. Seeks and engages well with feedback.
- Adapts to the evolving needs of the organization and thinks 3 steps ahead to develop solutions that achieve goals in their realm.
- Possess basic computer literacy such as using Google, Microsoft, Zoom, and texting platforms
- Live in Northern Virginia. 
- Driver’s license and access to car.  
- Can work occasional weekends and evenings 
Additional Details
- Location: Northern Virginia (must be able to travel to and work from the Centreville office when required)Â
- Job Type: full-time
- Reports to: Organizing Team Lead
- Pay: $50K (commensurate w/ experience)
- Hybrid position
- Benefits: Full health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) matching, paid time off, vacation, sick days (if you, a partner, or a family member are sick), and other leave time customized to your unique circumstances. We close the first week of July and between December 25 – January 1 to for reflection and rejuvenation.
To apply: Applications are closed.
Send your resume and 3 professional references to mchan@hamkaecenter.org with the subject “Community Organizer”.Â
Appropriate professional references are people who can speak to your character and work/volunteer experience. We would prefer if one of the references had some sort of supervisory relationship with you. We have found it helpful if applicants could let references know that someone with Hamkae Center will contact them if only to facilitate references responses. When sending reference information, please include their:Â
Full nameÂPhone Number and/or Email addressÂShort description of your professional relationship with the referencesÂ
Supplementary: submit up to two paragraphs as to why this position interests you. Â
Priority deadline: 11:59pm EST on March 15, 2024Â
About Hamkae Center
Hamkae Center organizes Asian Americans in Virginia to achieve social, economic, and racial justice. Through community organizing, public policy advocacy, civic engagement, and youth leadership development, Hamkae Center works to build a future in which low- and middle-income, immigrant, people of color, and marginalized communities can fully participate in U.S. society and work together as makers of lasting change. We are the Virginia affiliate of the NAKASEC Network.
Hamkae Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People from a wide range of backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to a diverse workplace and supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.
