Work With Us

OCA-Greater Houston seeks Advocacy Organizer Programs Associate candidates with all levels of experience for the 2018 & Future Elections in Houston. OCA-Greater Houston works to instill a culture of and strengthen the infrastructure for year-round civic engagement in AAPI communities. In doing so, the AAPI community will have the capacity to exert an influential voice in the public policy arena and in the social, racial and economic justice movement. We work to build partnerships in the AAPI community that engage in an Integrated Voter Engagement approach that builds community power and advances racial equity and social justice. Integrated Voter Engagement is a strategy for creating a permanent infrastructure for civic engagement that builds a long-lasting social justice movement, as opposed to shorter-term electoral moments. The AAPI community in Texas is the fastest growing demographic group from 960k in 2010 to 1.4 million in 2017 (42% jump) and there are 450k registered to vote with over 40% in Greater Houston. The inclusion of the AAPI voice on issues such as immigration, Census 2020, hate crimes, Harvey disaster relief, citizenship, youth leadership, and voting rights is paramount. This is your opportunity to stand up and fight for these issues. That’s why we aren’t sitting on the sidelines. We’re taking action. And you should join us.

Since 1994, OCA-Greater Houston has helped to protect the right of AAPIs to vote through the national APA Voter Exit Survey, suing the State of Texas for Voting Rights Act violations, advocating for language access/inclusion, and assisting greencard holders to apply for citizenship for the past decade with our community partners. We work to develop the leadership pipeline of informed and civically engaged youth through our leadership and organizing year round training program in partnership with Mi Familia Vota and run the Houston AAPI Film Festival to educate on issues and support the stories of AAPIs.

OCA-Greater Houston is an incredible opportunity for both experienced and brand new organizers who want to gain skills in community activism and organizing. After Election Day, we continue to work for change through year round voter registration and youth leadership development, community education/organizing on issues such as Immigration, Harvey Disaster Relief, Hate Crimes, Census 2020, Employment rights, and Citizenship.

We know that a strategic field campaign can inspire thousands of people who were not planning to vote to get to the polls and vote, which can provide the margin of victory. So, for the 2018 election, we will run field campaigns to turn out AAPIs to vote and make a difference.

ADVOCACY ORGANIZER PROGRAMS ASSOCIATE: OCA-Greater Houston is seeking 3 to 5 qualified, highly motivated individual(s) with all levels of experience (including entry level) who is an organizer, has a background working with high school and/or college/university students, and has experience in implementing programs. Organizers should be high energy, outgoing, enthusiastic, and willing to work long hours during campaign election seasons and understand this is a year round integrated voter engagement approach to organizing, thus when not in campaign season, organizers will be working on volunteer recruitment/ development, voter/community education and community/youth leadership building programs/events to build capacity and increase the AAPI vote each election season in a nonpartisan manner. Organizers report directly to Civic Engagement Programs Director and designated program leads. These are full time permanent position(s) with a compensation and benefits package with OCA-Greater Houston and/or placement with a community partner, BPSOS-Houston and Mi FamiliaVota. Additional project based part-time contract positions are also available.

Each organizer will have lead roles in one of the following issue advocacy areas while being a supporting team member for community engagement and capacity building efforts:

(1) Civic Engagement/Voting Rights Protection

(2) Immigration/Citizenship and Community/Volunteer/Member Engagement

(3) Harvey Disaster Relief Advocacy, Community Engagement, and Census 2020

(4) Youth Organizing/Leadership Development and Civic Engagement

LOCATION: For immediate hire in Houston, TX

APPLICATION DEADLINE: ASAP or until filled

SALARY: Entry Level, based on experience.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

You will thrive in this role if:

You believe in community building and the value of civic engagement

You like teamwork, but can work independently day-to-day

You can plan and manage multiple projects under high pressured deadlines

You are outgoing, high energy, and a team player

You like the idea of meeting and talking with different people

You are able, willing, and excited to turn on a dime when opportunity knocks

PERSONAL SKILLS & CHARACTERISTICS

Adaptability: Demonstrate a willingness to be flexible in a changing work environment while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency

Behave Ethically: Understand and practice ethical behavior and business practices that aligns with the values of the organization

Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the organization

Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques

Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness

Think Strategically: Assesses options and actions based on trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision and values of the organization and have the determination to keep pushing, even in the face of long odds

ELECTION SEASONS RESPONSIBILITIES:

Programs Associates perform some or all of the following:

General

Plan and manage voter registration events, phone banks and canvasses

Knock on doors and make phone calls

Amplify message, recruit volunteers and create online communities using social media platforms

Help create a program that reflects assigned organizing areas

Recruitment and Training

Assisting Director in all canvasser recruitment activities and ensuring that recruitment goals are achieved throughout the duration of the program

Implementing, under the supervision of the Director, the complete vetting, interviewing and hiring of all successful applicants

Ensuring the successful training and orientation of all canvassers

Canvasser Management

Providing canvass teams with the positive leadership culture, resources, guidance and technical support required to succeed during each phase of the program while ensuring compliance with all OCA-GH policies and best practices

Ensuring that all canvasses are launched and completed in a timely, orderly fashion

Promoting the continued development of canvass teams in their day-to-day duties and responsibilities over the course of the program

Accountability

Communicating all pertinent on-the-ground information to, and providing timely response to requests from, the canvassers under your direction

Ensuring that canvass teams properly perform their roles and maintain accurate and reliable data

Providing the Director with daily quantitative and qualitative reports as part of an ongoing evaluation of the program’s success

Strong communication and organizational skills.

An understanding and appreciation of the urgent nature and time demands of campaigns.

GENERAL YEAR ROUND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programs Associates perform some or all of the following:

Assist in programs and campaign design and execution to ensure proper integration across the organization and its priority issue areas of Immigration, Citizenship, Civic Engagement, Harvey Disaster Relief Advocacy, Voting Rights Protection, Hate Crimes, and Census 2020.

Assist in the development and management of membership/volunteer recruitment, donor development and retention systems

Spearhead OCA-Greater Houston’s volunteer and internship programs; Recruit, train and manage interns and volunteers and expand the volunteer membership network

Assist team with achieving voter education, voter pledge/registration and turn out goals

Assist in organizing staff, volunteers, and campaigns to ensure proper implementation, evaluation and improvement

Maintain a working knowledge of significant developments and trends in the electoral and AAPI community

Represent the organization at community activities to enhance the organization’s community profile

Establish good working relationships with community partners to help achieve the goals of the organization

Provide support to OCA-Greater Houston and Community Partner’s civic engagement programs including community outreach/trainings, fundraising events and other programs

Various tasks focused on community engagement and capacity building

Assist and/or support the planning, logistics, and/or execution of meetings, events, special projects, community festivals (Starry Nite, HAAPIFEST), and/or programs of OCA-Greater Houston and other duties as assigned

Ensure coordination and collaboration between OCA-Greater Houston program teams

Assist and/support the YELS (Young Emerging Leaders & Scholars), SMART (Students and Mentors Achieving Readiness Together), College Affiliates Programs through curriculum development, facilitation, and execution

Coordinate with Texas AAPI student networks to build civic based coalitions; developing relationships on various campuses and universities

Conduct training for new leaders and volunteers to implement specific campus based programs to boost youth civic engagement

Assist Programs Coordinator with Citizenship assistance workshops

Assist Programs Coordinator with VAN voter file management and data quality control

Manage administrative duties as assigned, including but not limited to: updating organizational standard operating procedures, coordinating meetings, marketing and promoting community programs and projects, and answering general inquiries

Assist with graphic design

Assist with other duties assigned as necessary

REQUIREMENTS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

Successful candidates will bring all or most of the following skills and attributes to the position:

Bachelor’s degree

Have a driver’s license, reliable car, and car insurance

Must be outgoing, organized and articulate

Current Harris County/Fort Bend Volunteer Deputy Registrar card or eligible to become deputized

Ability to work irregular hours (many times in the evenings and weekends)

Committed to the mission and goals of OCA-Greater Houston, and actively practices inclusion and understanding the diverse needs of the AAPI community

Commitment to OCA-Greater Houston’s mission, clients and non-partisan advocacy work

Passion and dedication to fight for progressive values including diversity, equality/equity for all and economic justice, and a commitment to social justice

Background in organizing on high school and/or college/university campuses

Considerable experience in youth organizing and student leadership development

Solid understanding of and experience with social media and digital campaigns

Ability to tap into your own personal base and network, as well as quickly develop new ones for OCA-Greater Houston’s programs

Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills and ability to communicate with people from different backgrounds to work within, manage, and supervise teams

Action oriented, disciplined, and adept at figuring out creative ways of leveraging resources, and enjoys using one’s general problem-solving skills with a solution-oriented approach to all tasks

Detail oriented with proven ability to multitask and work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Results-driven, excellent time- and project-management skills, ability to complete assignments in a timely manner

Exceptionally well organized with keen attention to detail in meeting ongoing responsibilities and strict deadlines

Ability to see a project through from start to finish with minimal supervision yet a great deal of input and collaboration with internal and external partners.

Demonstrate a high degree of initiative and capable of working independently to achieve short-term and long-term goals

Ability to work independently and in a team setting

Ability to remain calm and work in a fast-paced environment

Eager, curious, and capable of learning quickly; ideally interested in pursuing a career in nonprofits.

Strong supporter of coalition building

Proficiency in Google Apps, Microsoft Office

Proficiency in Adobe creative suite is a plus

Previous voter registration, campaign, issue advocacy, and/or VAN experience is a plus

Expertise in community organizing strategy and tactics, preferably in non-partisan issue based organizing and grassroots activism is a plus

Experience as an organizer and track record in coordinating a number of programs simultaneously is a plus

Speak, write, and read in Chinese, Vietnamese, and/or other AAPI Language is a preference

Experience working with communities of color and diverse communities is a plus

Annual salary:

Compensation based on experience. $31,200 - $40,000. These position(s) are salaried, full-time. Additional project based part-time contract positions also available.

Perks of working for OCA-Greater Houston:

Fully-paid employee health, vision and dental insurance;

(Retirement plan with an employer match; long-term disability insurance);

Flexible work schedules;

Professional development including training programs, staff enrichment retreats and other growth opportunities;

Generous paid time off policy inclusive of vacation, sick and 12 holidays, including an office closure the week between Christmas and New Year’s;

A team with a bunch of foodies that knows how to have fun while getting a lot done in a low ego environment!

Application Deadline: ASAP

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary, and Contract

APPLICATION PROCESS:

We will conduct interviews on a rolling basis and will accept applications until September 1st or until filled. Please email your resume, two references and cover letter explaining why you are a good fit for the position (please indicate which advocacy issue area lead role(s) you are interested in), and send all attachments to work@ocahouston.org. OCA-Greater Houston provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. For more information on OCA-Greater Houston, please go to www.ocahouston.org.

AAPI Table Fellowship Program - OCA Greater Houston

SUMMARY

The Houston in Action AAPI Table and OCA Greater Houston are seeking passionate and hardworking candidates to join our AAPI Table Fellowship Program to join us in working with member organizations to help in creating and reinvigorating a healthy democracy.

Our effort will focus on organizing AAPIs in Harris County and the surrounding communities to mobilize and strengthen AAPI civic engagement by increasing political participation. Our work will engage AAPIs in voter engagement efforts, volunteer recruitment, and pledging AAPIs to vote. Our 2022 electoral program will include traditional electoral organizing tactics such as tabling, phone banking, peer-to-peer text banking, and more to mobilize AAPIs. Fellows need to be comfortable and confident in: mobilizing their own community, growing their network to include new volunteers to train, and motivating community leaders to help mobilize their own networks.

This position will be part-time with an expected commitment of 20 hours per week. Each Fellow will be assigned to a member organization of the AAPI Table. Expected duration of position is 12 months.

ABOUT THE AAPI TABLE

In the last decade, the Asian American population has grown faster than any other racial or ethnic group in the nine-county greater Houston area. The AAPI Table is being formed to create a common vision and action plan for strengthening civic engagement for diverse AAPI organizations involved in all aspects of electoral mobilization via focusing on the ten elements of integrated voter engagement. The AAPI Table envisions our community to be one in which all Asian American and Pacific Islanders fully participate in and have access to the democratic process. The AAPI table will also forge collaborative connections with other communities of color and organizations within HoustoninAction (HiA) working to empower underrepresented communities.

MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

Emgage, OCA-GH, Chinese Community Center (CCC), BP-SOS, VNTeamwork, Woori Juntos, Pilipino American Unity for Progress (Unipro), Pakistan American Voters Association (PAVA), Filipino American National Historical Society Houston Texas (FANHS HTX), Culture of Health – Advancing Together (CHAT), Hope Clinic, Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), Riyaaz Qawwali, Institute for Civic Education in Vietnam (ICEVN)

HOW YOU WILL BENEFIT

PAID: a Fellow will be considered an hourly employee with a pay rate of $15/hour for initial 3 months and then $20/hour for an expected duration of 12 months. This Fellowship may be extended based upon individual performance.

LOCATION: Fellowship locations will vary as to the member organization each Fellow is assigned to, and the work as needed. Support special projects as they arise.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT: opportunities to learn from and train with senior employees and leaders within a leading AAPI organization as well as training opportunities provided by the AAPI Table for all member organizations.

EDUCATION: opportunities for hands-on learning and training in an organization that works in the AAPI space to build community power and work toward racial justice, immigrant rights and base building.

PRIMARY ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Work with your member organization to organize their constituents around voter engagement and get out the vote efforts;

Work collaboratively with HiA (Houston in Action) to develop proficiency in Data Management and Communications;

Attend all training classes and programs assigned/developed for Fellows;

In-person organizing, including voter and community engagement at community events, college campuses, and AAPI Table-sponsored events;

Work with member organization on strategies to increase civic participation and voter engagement within the AAPI community;

Plan and host events within the community, and virtually;

Implement a digital-forward organizing program that includes social media, direct outreach online, phone banking, text banking and creative tactics to reach voters where they are;

Develop relationships and partnerships with local AAPI community groups;

Hit defined field goals, including traditional grassroots voter contact, earned media, digital outreach, and event planning and turnout;

Meet all data and field reporting deadlines;

Perform other duties as assigned.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

We will be conducting interviews on a rolling basis and will accept applications until all 15 open positions are filled. Please email your resume and a cover letter explaining why you are a good fit for the position and send all attachments to nabila@houstoninaction.org, juan@houstoninaction.org, and work@ocahouston.org. iption