About KIWA

KIWA is a multiracial worker center, with roots in the Korean democracy movement and racial and economic justice movements of the U.S. We organize mostly Latino and Korean workers in the retail and restaurant industries. Founded in 1992, the mission of KIWA is to build the power of immigrant workers and residents to transform our workplaces and communities, in Koreatown and beyond. Worker organizing is central to our theory of change. Our methods are workplace organizing, leadership development, policy innovation, civic engagement, affordable housing development, housing justice advocacy, services, and cultural change.

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Overview

Organizers work both independently and as part of a team to recruit and organize workers, community members, and renters as KIWA members, and support them to develop their leadership to win concrete changes at the workplace, in our communities, and through policy. At the heart of organizing are the relational one-on-one conversations. Organizers also conduct community outreach and education on one or more projects related to workers, renters, & immigrants rights, public health, and/or environmental justice. Organizing positions include some weeknights, early mornings, weekends, and travel. As a staff member, you will also support KIWA’s services, operations, and fundraising. KIWA organizers are bilingual or trilingual in English and Korean and/or Spanish.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Conduct weekly outreach to workers, especially one-on-one
• Identify, recruit, and develop community leaders and worker-leaders
• Recruit workers to become dues paying members and follow up with expired and pledged memberships.
• Recruit, develop, and train committees in the workplace, in the community, and in housing complexes.
• Build workplace committees that develop solutions to bad treatment, wage theft, poor sanitation, and health dangers
• Facilitate general membership meetings, including training and political education in collaboration with other KIWA organizers.
• Turn out workers to meetings and actions.
• Lead one of KIWA’s direct service programs, policy campaigns, or advocacy efforts. 
• Build and design campaigns from the ground up on workplace organizing, advocacy, policy, and community organizing. 
• Work as part of a complex, fast-paced, integrated team. 

Skills, Knowledge, or Other Requirements 

• Commitment to worker and tenant organizing in a multiracial context: understanding of KIWA’s mission and a commitment to building power with immigrant workers and tenants. 
• Quick learner with a willingness to work hard and develop as an organizer, especially through 1:1s
• Positive, energetic approach. Ability to motivate, move, and inspire people
• Willingness to take initiative and use creativity to achieve our shared objectives
• Able to communicate effectively with immigrant workers, tenants, and allies
• Common sense and mature judgment
• Integrity and an exhibited willingness to learn
• Capacity to mind the details and see the big picture
• Ability to work as part of a team
• This role includes long and/or unusual hours, including some early mornings, late nights and weekends
• Must have a valid driver's license and a working vehicle - driving is part of the job
• Some travel - statewide, nationally and occasionally, internationally
• Must be fluent in English and in Korean and/or Spanish

To Apply

Apply by selecting Apply to Job and providing the information requested including cover letter, resume and contact information for three references.

Start date: position is open immediately.

Deadline: Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Position open until filled or canceled.

KIWA is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, disability, or sexual orientation.