Community Organizer (HC & CTA)

Job Summary: The Community Organizer assists the Community Organizing Team (COT) in achieving objectives related to civic engagement efforts and provides housing counseling to tenants through community education and outreach. The position organizes and empowers tenants on housing advocacy and tenant rights issues by providing education and technical assistance to the Community Tenants Association (CTA).

Status: Full-time, Nonexempt, Regular Location: Chinatown neighborhood, San Francisco Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00a.m. to 5:30p.m., and some weekends and evenings; flexible work hours needed Salary: $58,710 - $61,800 annually; Comprehensive benefits

The Organization: A private non-profit founded in 1977, Chinatown Community Development Center believes in a comprehensive vision of community. We own and/or manage approximately 37 affordable housing buildings serving over 4,500 low-income seniors, single adults, formerly homeless adults, and families of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds in San Francisco’s Chinatown, Tenderloin, Western Addition, and Polk Gulch neighborhoods. We also build housing, develop grassroots leadership, and engage low-income residents and youth. Our employees are passionate about the mission; thrive in a family organizational culture; and embody values of empowerment, teamwork, and compassion. Chinatown CDC serves a diverse population and is committed to hiring practices that provide culturally competent services. We encourage people of color to apply. 

Essential Functions

• Provide housing counseling to tenants; conduct meetings, workshops and provide community education, outreach material to tenant groups, community members and city agencies on housing issues, policies and legislations
• Provide technical assistance, staffing support and translation services to CTA in areas including but not limited to: organize and empower tenants on tenant rights and community advocacy; educate tenants on community issues; coordinate meetings, events, and activities

Job Responsibilities

Provide technical assistance to CTA

• Provide staffing support and translation services to CTA in areas including but not limited to tenant organizing and empowerment pertaining to tenant rights and community advocacy; educate tenants on community issues related issues such as land use, transportation, public improvement, and community facilities, etc; coordinate meetings, events and activities.  
• Develop leadership alongside CTA by providing training in organizing, public speaking, and other leadership development skills.

Provide housing counseling and tenant rights education

• Perform intake on and provide housing counseling to low-income tenants (primarily monolingual Chinese-speaking) by assessing housing problems, answering questions, providing information and education, offering support or translation services, and making referrals.
• Maintain and keep current system of tracking and reporting housing counseling casework and conduct follow-up work on individual and building-wide cases.

Support civic engagement efforts

• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with tenant groups and community agencies and work collaboratively to maximize civic engagement and voter turnout.
• Promote civic engagement dialogues in the low-income community and assist in achieving objectives for civic engagement efforts.

Other

• Embody organization values (respect & compassion, empowerment, teamwork)
• Contribute to a safe and pleasant work environment
• Follow policies, procedures, and safe work practices
• Other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in social service, sociology, psychology, or related field
• Bilingual and biliterate in Chinese and English strongly preferred
• Basic word processing, excel spread sheet

Minimum Qualifications

• Strong public speaking and interpersonal skills, with the ability to conduct workshops and meetings in English and Cantonese
• Familiarity with and sensitivity to low-income immigrant neighborhoods and issues relevant to the community
• Biliterate in Chinese and ability to speak fluently in Cantonese
• Creative and comprehensive problem-solving skills
• Ability to be flexible and perform variety of activities
• Good listening skills and ability to exercise patience
• Ability to work independently as well as in team structure
• Commitment to comprehensive vision of community development and improving the life for low-income people
• Capacity to work evening and weekends

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience or familiarity with the Chinatown neighborhood
• Familiarity with Chinese software program
• Two (2) years experience in non-profit agency serving low-income clients

Condition of Employment

As of January 4th, 2022, All Chinatown Community Development Center employees are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. All new hires must show proof of vaccination status at the time of employment offer. Exemptions will be made for applicants with a valid medical reason or a sincerely held religious belief and must be submitted within a timely requested manner. Additional documentation may be required by CCDC if exemption is approved.