Policy & Community Building Specialist
- Posted
- 1 month ago
- Employment type
- Full time
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Closing date
About this organization
SEACA is a non-profit community based organization established in 2002 to fight for racial and economic justice issues impacting low-income AAPI communities. SEACA began as a youth leadership and organizing program and over the years has expanded to include local policy advocacy around issues of housing, anti-gentrification, economic development, and COVID-19 relief work for low-income families and seniors in our communities. Our primary community of focus is Chinatown, a community with a long and complex history in Los Angeles. Primarily a community of immigrants and refugees, Chinatown faces severe gentrification pressure, putting long-time community members and small businesses at risk of displacement. Our work focuses on advocating for low-income seniors and families, stabilizing community-serving mom and pop businesses, improving access to a healthy environment, and creating economic opportunities.
About this job
The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated commitment for building power and voice in low-income communities of color and furthering equity-focused land use reform in Los Angeles. This candidate should possess a strong work-ethic, adaptive leadership skills, and be able to work independently as well as part of a diverse team.
The Policy and Community Building Specialist will work closely with the Executive Director and on SEACA’s policy advocacy initiatives around issues of affordable housing, anti-displacement, and economic development.
Roles & responsibilities
Conduct research and analysis of local policies related to affordable housing, economic development, and land use planning
● Draft and present key communications, research, analysis reports, briefs, and other documents for internal and external stakeholders
● Track development projects and trends in Chinatown and surrounding communities, conduct research and strategic campaign analysis
● Work with the Youth Development team to engage youth members in SEACA’s policy work
● Work collaboratively with allies, community members, and coalition partners on community preservation and anti-gentrification initiatives and campaigns
● Help develop SEACA’s community engagement strategies and programs that foster engagement, and community power building
● Provide organizational support to the LA ROSAH Collaborative, manage and facilitate coalition meetings, track progress on annual work plans
● Periodically assist with the distribution of COVID relief supplies, materials, and public health information. This requires occasionally transporting up to 25 pounds of supplies.
Qualifications
Experience: Minimum 3 years relevant work experience in community organizing, systems
change, or policy work.
● Education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Public Policy, Public
Administration, Urban Planning, Social Work, related disciplines.
● Knowledge: Familiar with LA City and County government structure, function and operation
and deep understanding of key issues impacting low-income Angelenos
● Equity: Embraces racial justice as an organizational operating principle and is committed to
continued learning on issues related to race, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
● Communications: Strong interpersonal, written and verbal skills; adept and compassionate
when speaking to community members, coalition partners, government and elected officials.
● Analytical: Ability to conduct research and create meaningful key performance indicators and
accurately manage and analyze a range of data, legislation, and reports.
● Organization: Ability to work within a small team and handle diverse duties.
● Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Suites, an array of online tools for
managing and organizing multifaceted groups and activities, and various social media
platforms.
● Physical Requirements: Ability to lift up to 25 lbs during SEACA’s COVID-19 relief
distribution days.
● Multilingual: Fluency in Cantonese dialect of Chinese or Spanish a plus
To apply
Please submit a resume, cover letter, writing sample, and three references to: info[at]seaca-la[dot]org (no phone calls please) with the subject title “Policy Position.” Alternatively, please mail application materials to: 840 N Broadway #203E, Los Angeles, CA 90012.