Associate Director

The Chinatown Community Land Trust (CCLT) seeks a full-time Associate Director to work with its board, members, and staff to stabilize the future of Boston Chinatown through community control of land and collective governance of shared resources.

Mission and Description of Organization

The Chinatown Community Land Trust works for community control of the land, development without displacement, permanently affordable housing, and shared neighborhood spaces, consistent with the Chinatown Master Plan.

CCLT is a membership-based organization, founded in 2015 by homeowners, tenant leaders, former residents, small business owners, and longtime activists, with a shared commitment to stabilize Boston Chinatown's future as a neighborhood for immigrant, working class families, seniors and vibrant small businesses.

Job Description

The Associate Director will share in responsibilities for strategic advancement of the organization’s work. These may include community organizing, planning, and advocacy; coalition and partnership work; program, real estate, and project development and management; membership and organizational development; fundraising and financial management. By the end of a six-month orientation and trial period, the job description and areas of focus can be further detailed.

Work Areas

Below is a description of CCLT’s current work areas.

Housing and Commercial Preservation - CCLT is acquiring existing small properties for preservation as permanently affordable, resident-controlled housing. To date, CCLT has preserved 7 home ownership and 6 rental housing units, and is preparing for its first residential/commercial property acquisition. CCLT works with residents to make decisions over property improvements, property management, and the neighborhood.

Planning for a Historic and Cultural District - CCLT plays an important role involving community members in democratic and participatory community planning to stabilize Chinatown’s future and grow its role as an important historic and cultural district. This work includes collaboration on the Chinatown Master Plan and Chinatown Cultural Plan, organizing and advocacy to utilize preservation tools as part of an anti-displacement strategy, and a variety of public art and cultural projects that celebrate Chinatown as an anchor neighborhood for immigrant working class families and small businesses.

Open Space Improvement and Green Infrastructure - As part of its environmental justice work, CCLT engages in organizing, planning advocacy, and project development to improve and expand open space and green infrastructure in Chinatown, with a focus on both heat and flood resilience. CCLT is partnered with Friends of Reggie Wong Park on a $3 M capital improvement plan for Chinatown’s only open recreational space.

Energy Justice - As part of Chinatown Power, a public benefit corporation formed by CCLT and the Chinese Progressive Association, CCLT seeks increased community control of energy resources. This includes work to help Chinatown residents and small business owners save on energy costs, reduce Chinatown’s carbon footprint, and bring renewable energy resources to Chinatown. Current work includes retrofitting small properties for heat and climate resilience, and piloting new clean energy strategies.

Community Governance and Movement Building - CCLT seeks to involve residents and community members in collective governance of shared resources and partners with other organizations to grow the Community Land Trust movement.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Is committed to grassroots community empowerment and collective decision-making
• Is self-starting, strategic, and a great team player
• Can comfortably manage multiple tasks and projects independently
• Has at least four years’ experience in some combination of community organizing, real estate development, project management, leadership development, and staff supervision
• Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills, humility, and commitment to community building and partnerships
• Is bilingual in English and Chinese (Cantonese preferred). Familiarity with Boston Chinatown a plus.
• Experienced and comfortable working with people of diverse social and economic backgrounds

We seek candidates who embrace our mission and the relationship between community organizing, participatory planning, project implementation, and systems change.

Work Environment

Chinatown CLT currently has a small staff of four, including the Executive Director, Housing Specialist, Chinatown Power Director, and Operations/Communication Manager. The staff work in person three days a week and as needed for in-person meetings and activities with Chinatown residents and community members. Work schedules may be flexible but we require accountability and the Associate Director must be available for some evening and weekend work.

Benefits include generous paid time off, health/dental/vision, employer-matched 401k, and professional development opportunities.

Bilingual in English and Chinese (Cantonese preferred)