Position: Housing Rights Community Advocate
Type: Regular, Non-Exempt, Full-time position
Location: Hybrid Work Schedule, Based in San Francisco
Deadline: Applications will be considered until May 3, 2024 or on a rolling basis until filled.
Compensation: This is a regular, full-time, non-exempt position. The annual compensation depends on years of relevant experience; the range for the Community Advocate position, starting from one year's experience, is $67,980 and up to a maximum of $74,284. ALC offers an additional $1,000 annual compensation for proficiency in a language other than English and an additional $1,000 annual compensation for a graduate degree(s).
The Opportunity
Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus (Advancing Justice-ALC) seeks a Community Advocate for its Housing Rights Program. The Community Advocate is an integral member of our Housing Rights team, which adopts a multi-pronged approach to housing defense and anti-displacement. The program provides holistic, community legal services and know-your-rights education to low-income and immigrant tenants who face threats of displacement due to gentrification and other economic pressures. The program also works with tenants and tenant associations and groups of tenants to fight back against displacement and harassment. Staff also actively participate in community coalitions and work closely with tenants and grassroots advocates to use policy advocacy and impact litigation to protect and advance the rights of low-income communities of color. The Community Advocate engages in community coalitions around housing and community development, leads community outreach, participates in advocacy, and supports legal case work, as directed. This position reports to the Housing Rights Program Manager and Community Advocacy Manager.
The Organization
Advancing Justice – ALC is the nation’s first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Since 1972, Advancing Justice – ALC has litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services, including community education, advocacy, and direct client representation to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color. Current program areas include Workers’ Rights, Immigrant Rights, Housing Rights, Criminal Justice Reform, National Security & Civil Rights, and Voting Rights. A growing staff of 57 provides strong collegial support and opportunities to learn about and collaborate with other program areas. Advancing Justice – ALC is based in San Francisco, a hub of the Asian American rights movement, progressive politics, and social justice activism. Our location in Chinatown is the first mixed-use, affordable housing co-op in San Francisco, serving as a model for preserving affordable housing in the city and protecting tenants’ rights.
Responsibilities
Day-to-day activities vary in this dynamic position and include the following:
Community Outreach and Strategic Engagement
- Develop and maintain relationships with community members and community partners
- Collaborate with allies and organizations in joint community efforts and initiatives
- Conduct community outreach about tenant rights and develop related educational materials
- Collaborate and coordinate with the Community Advocacy Manager and Community Advocates in other programs on organization-wide, cross-programmatic priorities
- Conduct research to support program advocacy goals
- Deliver public comments representing Advancing Justice-ALC at public agency meetings
- Plan and implement campaigns, in collaboration with Community Advocacy Manager and Housing Rights staff
Program Support
- Support and assist low-income clients in exercising their rights and accessing needed resources
- Collaborate with other community agencies to provide client services
- Conduct intakes and interview clients
- Coordinate and participate in Housing Rights community legal clinics
All ALC staff are expected to participate in regular check-in meetings with their supervisor, staff meetings, program team meetings, and other organization meetings, as requested.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree, or combination of equivalent education and work experience
- Demonstrated commitment to advancing the rights of low-income, people of color, immigrant, tenant, or worker communities
- Excellent research, analytical, written and oral communication skills, and strong interpersonal, organizational, and presentation skills
- Ability to think creatively, be strategic, and exercise good judgment
- Ability to work well with diverse groups and individuals
- Ability to work well under time pressure
- Ability to work some weekends and evenings
- Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Powerpoint
Highly Desirable
- Familiar with San Francisco’s housing rights landscape
- Experience working with community members who are experiencing stressful situations
- Experience with community organizing, coalition building or advocacy campaigns
- Experience with or knowledge about housing, homelessness, land use, or community development
Required
- Fluency in Cantonese
Benefits
ALC’s comprehensive benefits include the following: generous vacation and paid holidays; medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage (ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); a flexible spending account (FSA); and 401K retirement plan with employer non-elective contribution and match. The terms and conditions of employment may be governed in part by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement. This position is included in the collective bargaining unit represented by CWA Local 9410.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following by May 3, 2024:
- Cover letter explaining your interest in the position
- Resume
- Three professional references
- Optional: A writing sample of your work (no more than 5 pages).
Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including HIV, cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions) gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim and survivor status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.