Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance

Organizing Fellow

Based in Los Angeles, CA

 

Status: Temporary Fellowship (6 months), Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation: $33/hr

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.

Overview
KIWA seeks a passionate, community-centered Organizer Fellow for a temporary 6-month fellowship. This is an excellent opportunity for emerging organizers to gain hands-on experience in community and worker organizing while contributing to meaningful campaigns that support immigrant workers.

Position Summary:
The Organizer Fellow supports KIWA’s organizing team through field outreach, membership recruitment, and leadership development among low-wage immigrant workers in Koreatown and the broader Los Angeles region. The fellowship is designed to build fundamental organizing skills, deepen political analysis, and help fellows contribute to concrete campaign outcomes while supporting KIWA’s mission. At the end of the fellowship, fellows may have the opportunity to apply for full-time Organizer positions at KIWA, if available.

Fellowship Responsibilities:
Field Outreach & Member Recruitment

• Conduct door-to-door, street, workplace, and event-based outreach.
• Hold one-on-one conversations to educate, inform, and recruit workers.
• Collect, track, and report member data.

Member Engagement & Leadership Development

• Identify potential members and leaders through outreach.
• Support members to participate in and lead KIWA campaigns.
• Assist with trainings, workshops, meetings, and public actions.

Campaign Support & Logistics

• Help with logistics for meetings, actions, and events.
• Assist staff with program implementation and campaign activities.

Coalitions & External Organizing

• Attend external meetings and events to represent KIWA.
• Support campaign outreach and engagement.

Internal Responsibilities

• Participate in staff meetings, political education, and training.
• Assist with administrative work and shared space responsibilities.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Alignment with KIWA’s mission and commitment to building power with immigrant workers.
• Commitment to organizing for social justice in a multiracial environment.
• Strong listening, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate outreach and member tracking data.
• Comfortable conducting field outreach, canvassing, and one-on-one conversations.
• Ability to communicate clearly with staff, members, and partners.
• Willingness to learn, take feedback, and grow as an organizer.
• Korean or Spanish language ability is a plus, but not required.
• Drivers license and access to a car. 

Preferred Experience:

• Prior experience in community, labor, or campus organizing; or experience working with immigrants, workers, or communities of color.
• Demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice.
• Willingness to engage people directly through outreach, conversations, and collective action.

Benefits

• Sick days 
• Monthly auto stipend for work travel
• Professional development and training opportunities in community organizing

Additional information

• Work Schedule: 30-40 hours/week; generally Monday–Friday. Some weeknights, early mornings, and weekends as needed for worker schedules, outreach, and events.
• Reports to: Director of Research & Policy 
• KIWA is a unionized workplace. This role is not part of the bargaining unit. 

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

To Apply:
Please submit a résumé and brief cover letter describing your interest in the fellowship, relevant experience, and what you hope to learn.

Submit your application materials through this link.