API PA Paid Canvasser Philadelphia County

API PA Paid Canvasser

This position is part-time, full-time, hourly, and non-exempt. It reports to the Civic Engagement Organizer and is located in Philadelphia County. The commitment is temporary, starting in September and concluding in November 2026.

The Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance's (API PA) mission is to build long-term power for Asians and Pacific Islanders in Pennsylvania by coordinating political, electoral, and legislative work, engaging in culturally competent and linguistically accessible direct voter contact, and building solidarity with other aligned communities of color across the state. API PA operates primarily in South Asian, Korean, Chinese, and Vietnamese communities and is the first and only political organization directly advocating for the needs of Asian and Pacific Islanders in Pennsylvania.

API PA will be launching various programs throughout the Fall of 2026 with goals of learning about issues that matter to Asian Pacific Islanders living in Pennsylvania, encouraging Asian Pacific Islanders to register and vote, educating individuals on elections and candidates for office, and ensuring API voters have in-language support for any voting-related needs. We are seeking passionate, engaged individuals with good listening and communication skills to speak to voters in order to advance these programs, with an emphasis on Asian Pacific Islander voters.

API PA will provide training and materials, including PPE as appropriate. We are looking to invest in our canvassers by engaging them in meaningful work, giving them constructive feedback, and exposing them to a variety of opportunities in the policy/advocacy space. We're looking for individuals who are passionate about working towards progressive and equitable systems, especially to the betterment and empowerment of Asian Pacific Islander communities.

Your day-to-day work (essential functions) will include:

• Door to door canvassing: Using provided technology (the MiniVAN Canvassing app), you will engage in face-to-face conversations with voters in target geography
• Tracking conversations in the canvassing platform provided
• Participating in canvassing training and debriefing sessions
• Participating in organization-wide meetings and events as directed by supervisor
• Other duties as necessary

Skills/qualifications/requirements include:

• Vaccinated against COVID-19 and boosted. Employees may request exemptions for valid religious and medical reasons. For more information on recommended vaccinations, consult PA DOH guidelines.
• Physically able to walk up to 2.5 miles per shift
• Access to a cell phone
• Some tech literacy, specifically knowing how to use cell phones and tablets, Google Maps, and data entry using an app, is necessary for this position
• Conversational fluency in English

Necessary skills include:

• Strong verbal communication and listening skills, specifically looking for people who are outgoing and willing to talk to strangers about political issues
• Able to work independently
• Personal knowledge of and/or experience working with Asian American communities
• Ability to work with diverse staff
• Understanding of and commitment to API PA's values, or strong willingness to learn

Desirable skills include:

• Conversational fluency in an Asian language is highly desirable, including but not limited to Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Khmer, Korean, Nepali, Arabic, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, and Urdu
• Prior canvassing or equivalent experience (sales, door to door marketing, phone-banking, call centers, etc.) appreciated, but not required

Hours: This position ranges from 30 hours per week, for shifts for 6-8 hours at a time. Must be flexible to work weekends. This is a temporary position, to be filled on a rolling basis, for a program running from early September 2026 through early November 2026.

Salary: Hourly rate: $21/hour starting

Benefits: Healthcare for full-time (30+ hours) employees, paid time off, paid holidays, travel reimbursement, weekly pay

The position will be open until filled. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis. API PA is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate against an employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.