Lead Organizer for Safe and Welcoming Communities 

The Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL) envisions a just and joyful future where all Minnesotans, regardless of background, have the power to shape decisions that affect us and can live with dignity in thriving and caring communities. CAAL is a network of Asian American leaders whose mission is to harness our collective power across ethnicities, age groups, and sectors to improve the lives of community by connecting, learning, and acting together. We believe our democracy thrives when all communities are visible, included, and fully engaged in key systemic decisions that impact our lives. We embrace the diversity of our community and believe that if we can work together, moving beyond silos, we help ensure a more prosperous future for all Minnesotans. 

CAAL achieves its mission by (1) proactively weaving relationships among Asian American leaders and sector leaders, (2) engaging and mobilizing our leaders and impacted community members to work on the shared community priorities of education and economics together, (3) supporting and elevating Asian American leaders to ensure our civic leadership is seen, valued and included, and (4) working collaboratively across communities towards a more just, fair and peaceful world. 

We are seeking a Lead Organizer to work with us to advance our immigration priority issue. This position will:

• Engage and mobilize immigrant and refugee communities to participate in shaping solutions 
• Use power narratives to increase understanding of impacted communities and build support for our community-driven solutions
• Develop community driven campaigns to change systems so they work for impacted communities
• Engage CAAL’s overall network to increase knowledge, skills, and support for this area of work

Position Description

The Lead Organizer will be responsible for developing, evaluating, and carrying out strategies and tactics through programming activities. Activities include organizing communities, strengthening and building partnerships, developing community and policy campaigns, creating and delivering training for communities, external stakeholders, and CAAL’s network, leading and facilitating processes, developing collaterals and communications to provide narratives centered on impacted communities. 

This is an exempt, full-time position with full benefits. The Lead Organizer reports to the Senior Manager of Civic Power and is a member of the CAAL staff team. This position may require travel and work outside of normal business hours. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Create safe sharing and learning spaces for impacted Asian immigrant and refugee community members to share experiences, learn from each other and experts, and discuss solutions
• Build strong relationships among diverse groups of impacted communities, leaders, and organizational partners to understand the circumstances, impacts, and needs of Asian Minnesotan immigrant and refugee communities
• Plan and coordinate outreach and organizing meetings in order to build effective, ongoing relationships and partnerships to maintain the involvement of grassroots leaders, organizational partners, and key influencers
• Lead and develop processes to build a shared strategy and power analysis across multiple campaigns and policy agendas
• Develop community and policy campaigns and work plans to achieve campaign goals
• Provide support and structure for impacted communities, leaders, and volunteers to advance the agendas and work
• Coordinate and build content for media and social media – Facebook, Twitter, blogs, email outreach, and press events to enhance the work
• Develop materials, including reports, talking points, communications collateral, flyers, fact sheets, policy analysis (model language), training materials, partnership agreements, etc.
• Manage and evaluate the progress and impact of the work
• Perform other duties as required to support the work of the organization as a whole

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• At least 3 years experience in community organizing, policy/advocacy, and program planning, development, and implementation
• Demonstrated understanding of community created campaigns and the elements of a campaign
• Demonstrated understanding of immigration and criminal legal systems and how policies have impacted the families and children

• Experience working with diverse constituents, teams and colleagues, with the ability to motivate teams, colleagues and volunteers
• Experience in building effective interpersonal relationships, partnerships and coalitions
• Strong analytical, organizational and project management skills, with the ability to work independently and drive activities to completion
• Ability to teach and train others

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS CONSIDERED

• Bilingual fluency in an Asian language(s)
• Past experience working on immigration issues
• Knowledge of Asian Minnesotan communities and their needs
• Strong commitment to social justice and community power building

ALIGNMENT TO THE MISSION AND CULTURE OF CAAL 

• Commitment to CAAL’s mission, vision, and core values 
• Personal qualities of humility, life-long learning, self-reflection, creativity, and a sense of humor
• Uses good judgment in the best interest of CAAL when dealing with leaders and stakeholders
• Action-oriented and proactive problem-solver who can work well independently and in teams

REPORTS TO: Senior Manager of Civic Power

SALARY & BENEFITS: This position is an exempt full-time position with a salary range between $50,000-$65,000 with full benefits. CAAL offers employees a generous PTO/SSL, holiday time off, health, vision, dental, workers comp, long-term disability, basic life insurance, and 401K retirement benefits.

LOCATION: Saint Paul, MN 

HOW TO APPLY: Please email a cover letter highlighting your interest and fit for the position, and attach your resume to hr@caalmn.org. Please include “Lead Organizer for Safe and Welcoming Communities” in the subject line.  

This position will remain open until filled, with a priority deadline of November 30th, 2021.

CAAL is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate our rich diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.