South Asian Community Affairs Coordinator

Job Title: South Asian Community Affairs Coordinator

Location: Jackson Heights

Position Type: Full-Time, some weekend, evening and holiday coverage 

About the office:

Shekar Krishnan is the NYC Council Member for District 25, Jackson Heights, Elmhurst and Woodside, Queens, three of the most diverse immigrant communities in the world. He is the first Indian-American ever elected to the City Council in NYC history. Shekar is also Chair of the Council’s Committee On Parks and Recreation. He negotiated the highest budget ever for NYC Parks. As Parks Chair, Shekar has approached access to parks and expanding green space as a key component of social, racial, and immigrant justice.

Job Overview:

The South Asian Community Affairs Coordinator plays a pivotal role in the Council Member’s district office by serving as a primary point of contact for constituents, with a specialization in South Asian communities. The ideal candidate will be responsible for addressing constituent concerns, facilitating access to city services, and planning cultural and community events. This position requires a high level of cultural competency within South Asian communities, and fluency in Bengali or another South Asian language is required.

Key Responsibilities:

Constituent Services and Community Outreach:

• Constituent Services:
  • Serve as a liaison between the Council Member’s office, City agencies, and constituents, with a focus on South Asian communities.
  • Act as the first point of contact for constituents who walk into the office, including guiding them through primary intake.
  • Conduct timely follow-up to ensure favorable resolutions for the constituent and maintain clear records of interactions and work completed.
• Community Outreach & Affairs:
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with leaders and organizations within the South Asian communities.
  • Organize, promote, and attend community events, with focus on South Asian communities. Includes occasional evening and weekend engagements.
  • Provide translation and interpretation services as needed.

Qualifications:

• Spoken fluency in Bengali is required. Written fluency is a plus.
• Experience in community outreach and constituent services or client-facing roles.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and written and oral communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse populations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Knowledge of city services, government processes, and community resources is a plus.
• NYC Residency, or willingness to relocate within 90 days of employment.

Salary and benefits:

• The salary for this position will be in the $58,000 to $63,000 range.
• Covered title by the Association of Legislative Employees. For more information on union benefits go to nyccouncilunion.com.
• Healthcare, including dental and vision, a 401(k) and pension plan, commuter benefits, generous time-off and comp-time policies.
• Hybrid schedule.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter to cmartinez@council.nyc.gov. Please include "South Asian Community Affairs Coordinator Application" in the subject line.