Research and Policy Associate Director of Organizing
Job Description
Job Title: Associate Director of Organizing
Reports to: Director of Governmental Affairs
Organization: The Colorado League of Charter Schools has 15 staff members, approximately 250 charter public schools in the state serving over 115,000 students, a distinguished 24-year history, a prominent 13 member board of directors, and a strong fiscal position. The League’s mission is to improve student achievement by supporting Colorado’s public charter schools, positively reshaping the public school landscape, and advancing opportunities for innovation and expanded high-quality public school choice. The League’s vision is for all Colorado students to have access to high-quality, publicly-funded school options. The League’s expectation is that all employees of the organization will champion its mission and vision with passion and dedication.
Position Summary: The League is seeking to fill a new position of Associate Director of Organizing. The Associate Director will connect and mobilize a network of parents, teachers, and supporters statewide to advocate for charter school initiatives and priorities. The position will be filled as soon as a highly qualified candidate can be identified. The Associate Director will be paid competitively including a full-time salary, the opportunity to earn an annual performance bonus, and attractive health, retirement and life insurance benefits.
Essential Job Duties:
Develop Organizing Vision and Campaigns
- Work in conjunction with the advocacy team to develop short- and long-term organizing goals, strategies and target areas
- Work across departmental teams to ensure strategies are in line with organizational goals, communicate regularly in writing to manager and cross-team colleagues about campaign development
- Develop “train-the-trainer” model to use with identified parent champions and school and community leads
- Develop plans, strategies and tool kits to support the implementation of organizing efforts and campaigns
- Develop a game plan and calendar for regular advocate engagement at events and in advocacy campaigns and communication
- As necessary, coordinate large public forums, rallies, and demand actions demonstrating the power of charter school parents and families
Manage Organizing and Professional Development Programs
- Work in conjunction with advocacy team and schools to identify parent champion leads in various communities across the state
- Implement “train-the-trainer” model with identified parent champions and school and community leads
- Lead regular parent meetings, workshops, and trainings; develop leadership capacity of parents, preparing them for such activities as hosting demand meetings, press events, and public actions
- Identify and manage effective data tracking systems; track organizing benchmarks, goals and overall progress in a comprehensive and robust database, ensure accurate and timely data entry
- Assist advocacy team in implementation of communications plan focused on regular and meaningful advocate engagement
- Assist advocacy team in development and execution of annual Charter School Advocacy Day at the Capitol
Assist in the Management of Stakeholder Relations
- In coordination with the rest of the advocacy team, identify key prospective community allies and develop-long term plans for building powerful partnerships
- Foster relationships with community-based organizations, faith leaders, elected officials, civic and community leaders that lead to positive engagement of the community and neighborhoods where charter schools and the League have a presence
- Present and represent the League’s vision, values, priorities, strategic choices and points of view to internal and external stakeholders
- Perform other duties as required to support the organization and its mission
Skills and Qualifications:
Candidates should enjoy working in a dynamic, results-oriented environment in which expectations are high for both the quality and speed of work. In addition, they should have demonstrated the following:
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university
- Three to five years of experience working in a senior organizing role
- A deep understanding of and appreciation for relational organizing; the ability to empathize, project respect, act with civility, communicate with, and motivate people from all walks of life
- Successful work experience in low-income communities and in multicultural team environments
- Fluency in Spanish strongly preferred
- Ability to take initiative and high levels of ownership for outcomes, and exercise sound judgment in day-to-day decision-making; entrepreneurial background and demonstration of self-starting capacity
- Ability to develop results-oriented strategic plans and to roll up your sleeves to do whatever it takes to effectively implement those plans
- Experience and proven success in using data to make decisions, to coach, and to hold oneself accountable
- Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills; this position will likely require frequent public speaking
- Knowledge of and belief in the essential role of charter schools as a means for improved educational options for students and a lever for broader educational change in Colorado
- Knowledge of education reform issues, including best practices in school development, education policy, and the elements of excellent public schools
- Candidates must be able to travel and work off site regularly, particularly to different communities along the Front Range, and work moderately irregular hours when needed including weeknights and weekends
- Driver’s license and access to a vehicle
- Strong technology skills with expertise in MS Office
How to Apply
Please send the following to Dan Schaller, Director of Governmental Affairs, at dschaller@coloradoleague.org with a subject line that reads: Associate Director of Organizing. Please include:- Cover letter answering the following questions:
- What is it about our mission and vision that resonates with your experience and/or interests?
- What makes you an exceptional candidate for this position in particular?
- Where did you learn about this opportunity?
- Resume with a complete listing of all employment positions held and education credentials/degrees/accomplishments conferred to date including GPA.
- List of five references with phone numbers and emails (will only contact after notifying you).
