Community Navigator

Job Title: Community Navigator

Department: Organizing

Reports To: Organizing Director

FLSA Classification: full-time, non exempt

Work Arrangement: full-time, hybrid, guaranteed one-year position with possibility of extension pending funding and programmatic needs.

Background and Mission

Rising Voices is a nonprofit organization that seeks to organize and develop the leadership of Asian American women, families and young people for power around progressive values and policy in the state of Michigan through community and cultural organizing, electoral engagement, and policy advocacy for a future where all families can thrive.

We envision a state and communities where our families have access to just economic policies, in-language support, affordable and culturally competent healthcare, inclusive education, welcome for immigrants, advocacy for workers, policy representation and accountability for our electeds. Our theory of change includes multiple strategies for power that serve to develop leadership within Asian American communities that will move local state and federal progressive policy and help elect progressive candidates to champion those issues.

Rising Voices is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Empowered Politics, a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization; Rising Voices Fund is a fiscally sponsored project of the Center for Empowered Politics Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Job Summary

The Community Navigator provides support to Asian American individuals and families in Michigan who are facing or at risk of detention and deportation. This position involves working closely with impacted individuals and families to help them navigate immigration-related challenges, connect to legal support, and access mutual aid and emergency resources. The Community Navigator will help individuals and families understand their options, stay organized, and get connected to the support they need. This position reports to the Organizing Director and works closely with external partners, providing legal and direct services. As the Community Navigator position will work closely with impacted families in the AAPI community, applicants are not limited to licensed social work professionals. Rising Voices invites community members with lived experience, organizing and volunteer experience, and will provide training as necessary.

Essential Functions

The following responsibilities are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel classified in this manner. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Community Outreach

• Conduct outreach to Asian American communities, including Know Your Rights presentations at community events to introduce Rising Voices and connect them to available support
• Offer one-on-one guidance, coaching, and practical support to individuals and families as needed, with capacity for moral and emotional support
• Build trust through authentic and accountable relationships with families

Resource Navigation

• Provide culturally responsive community resource navigation and support for families facing detention or deportation, recognizing how immigration issues affect the whole family and their community.
• Complete intake assessments in coordination with our legal services partners and work with individuals and families to develop personalized support plans
• Coordinate referrals for additional needs beyond legal support, such as housing, healthcare, mental health services, food assistance, or applying for SNAP and other benefits
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with partner organizations, including legal service providers and direct service agencies, to support coordinated referrals and follow-up, helping ensure clear communication, warm handoffs, and continuity of support for community members

Program Administration & Reporting

• Help administer mutual aid funds, including assessing needs, coordinating distributions, and tracking assistance in line with organizational guidelines
• Track individual cases carefully, maintain accurate records, and note patterns or trends across cases in compliance with HIPAA and data privacy practices
• Document trends, barriers, and community needs observed through case work and report insights back to the team to refine strategies

Physical Demands

• Occasionally required to lift and move office supplies or equipment (up to 25 pounds).
• Participation in event logistics. Event logistics may require physical tasks such as lifting and carrying materials or equipment (up to 25 pounds), setting up tables and chairs, bending or crouching to arrange supplies, standing for up to 30 minutes, and moving throughout event spaces during setup and cleanup.
• Must be able to work on a computer, including sitting at a desk for extended periods of time, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Must be able to understand and follow oral and written instruction.

Work Environment

• The position is a full-time position that works 40 hours a week.
• This position requires access to a personal vehicle to travel to meet with community members in the Metro Detroit and Greater Lansing area as needed and attend work-related meetings. Mileage for approved work-related travel will be reimbursed.
• This position is also expected to work from the Detroit office once per week, with moderate level of noise and interruptions.
• This position may require some work on nights and weekends (Saturday and Sunday).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Works well with people from different backgrounds and can collaborate with RV staff, volunteers, and partner organizations
• Knowledge of and familiarity with Michigan-based community services and resource organizations to provide assistance in housing, healthcare, food security and other necessities.
• Communicates clearly and respectfully, with strong organizational and cross-cultural skills.
• Is organized, reliable, and able to manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment

Required Qualifications:

• Some experience in trauma-informed care, case management, community organizing, or volunteer coordination OR brings lived immigrant experience that informs their work
• Aligns with Rising Voices’ mission and values. Believes in fighting for economic, racial, and social justice for all.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Speaks an Asian language, but not required.

Compensation and Benefits

This is a full time, non-exempt position starting at $25.00 - $28.85/hour ($52,000 - $60,000 annually) dependent on experience. Position includes a full benefits package.

This is a guaranteed one-year position. There is a possibility of extension pending funding and programmatic needs.

• 100% employer and sponsored health, vision, and dental insurance
• Employer-sponsored 401k retirement savings account, with employer profit sharing, budget permitting
• Earned paid time off, including vacation, personal, compensatory & sick time
• 13 paid holidays per year
• 3 weeks paid end of year winter closure
• Guaranteed annual cost of living adjustments (COLA) and raises
• Annual bonuses, budget permitting
• Generous employer contribution into medical & dependent care FSA
• Basic life insurance
• Monthly phone and work from home stipend

Rising Voices is currently undergoing an internal compensation equity analysis, and this salary may be adjusted.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement:

Rising Voices will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter and references. Applications will be reviewed as received.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Rising Voices contracts with Resilient Strategies LLC for backend and operational support including hiring and employment. Resilient Strategies is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Folks who are queer, trans, non-binary, Black, Indigenous, people of color, disabled, parents, are/have been system-impacted, are immigrants, and anyone who has experienced systemic oppression and/or gender-based violence are encouraged to apply. Pursuant of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

• 100% employer and sponsored health, vision, and dental insurance
• Employer-sponsored 401k retirement savings account, with employer profit sharing, budget permitting
• Earned paid time off, including vacation, personal, compensatory & sick time
• 13 paid holidays per year
• 3 weeks paid end of year winter closure
• Guaranteed annual cost of living adjustments (COLA) and raises
• Annual bonuses, budget permitting
• Generous employer contribution into medical & dependent care FSA
• Basic life insurance
• Monthly phone and work from home stipend