Chinese-speaking Outreach Support

Sure We Can seeks a spirited, sensitive, and responsible person with a commitment to social and environmental justice to take on the role of Chinese-speaking Outreach Support.

Sure We Can is a nonprofit organization that primarily serves canners, or those who collect and redeem deposit-marked containers in order to earn income. SWC’s mission is to lift up canners through economic empowerment, social inclusion, and environmental awareness. We operate the only nonprofit and community-focused redemption center in NYC, alongside programs supporting the development of canners as a group, including their capacity to advocate politically as well as refine skills and improve their working conditions. Canners come from a hugely diverse array of backgrounds; around 18% of the 1200 canners we serve annually are Chinese speakers. 

We are seeking a flexible and outgoing individual to serve our Chinese-speaking community members, through outreach and service provision, in-language (Cantonese and Mandarin). Activities will encompass provision of onsite redemption service to canners as well as conducting onsite and in-field outreach regarding supportive services available to canners, as well as promoting membership and organizing within the canner community.

This is a part-time, hourly, in-person role at $20/hr for 20 hrs/week. Actual hours, compensation, and schedule can potentially be flexible based on experience and contextual considerations. This is a temporary role that may become permanent. The initial contract term is until December 31, 2024. If the role is made permanent, full-time hours may also be possible.

Tasks and responsibilities include:

• Managing the Sure We Can point of service, including receiving recyclables, creating invoices, and paying out canners, especially Chinese-speaking canners;
• Translating Sure We Can messaging materials into Simplified Chinese;
• As needed, supporting Sure We Can’s outreach, both on-site and off-site, by having conversations, making phone calls, and sending texts to Chinese-speaking community members to keep them informed of organizational activities and initiatives, 
• Serve as point of contact for connecting with Chinese-speaking canners by checking on their well-being and making referrals to direct supportive services including mental health services as needed;
• Occasionally, and as needed, providing live consecutive Chinese-language interpretation support for Sure We Can community meetings and events;
• Facilitating communication & bridge-building between Chinese-speaking canners and Sure We Can staff;
• Facilitating communication between Chinese-speaking canners and the leadership & members of the Alliance of Independent Recyclers (AIR-NYC), an association for/by canners that works closely with Sure We Can, and promoting membership with AIR-NYC;
• Supporting SWC’s administrative functions on an ad-hoc basis.

An ideal candidate’s background and skills include:

• Fluency in speaking English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, especially Cantonese, and in writing Simplified Chinese;
• A very high level of sensitivity to people of different backgrounds, attitudes, and lifestyles;
• Comfort and facility with numbers, simple math, basic spreadsheets, and with handling money;
• A “people personality,” meaning availability to connect with canners over both personal and professional concerns, as well as official SWC activities, or just to make casual conversation;
• Flexibility re: shifting daily priorities in terms of tasks and activities;
• Comfort working in an informal or “lo-fi” working environment, including features such as composting toilets and rainwater harvesting system;
• Full vaccination against Covid-19;
• Background, experience, and/or interest, in the areas of environmental justice, anthropology, public health, community organizing, social work, or political advocacy;
• Background, experience, and/or interest in mental health, counseling, or social work is a plus.