Community Organizer

Community Organizer

Location: Fully remote, operating on Mountain Coast Time

About Transform Education Now

Transform Education Now (TEN) is a non-profit organization that works to ensure Colorado students have access to excellent schools, regardless of their zip code. The mission of Transform Education Now is to partner with parents in order to build the skills and capacity of communities to ensure access to a world-class education for all students in the Denver Metro Area.  Through transparent school quality data, leadership development, and strategic partnerships we will challenge the status quo with communities to demand high-quality schools in all neighborhoods.

TEN is part of 50CAN: The 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now, a nonprofit organization that works at the local level to advocate for a high-quality education for all kids, regardless of their address. We develop local education leaders by providing them with the research, tools, and ideas needed to create learning environments that best meet every child’s needs. 50CAN operates campaigns in Connecticut, Delaware, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Tennessee and is led by CEO & Founder Marc Porter Magee.

Guiding Principles

• Parents are partners in this work.
• This movement must be led by those most impacted.
• We will dismantle broken systems with compassion and recognition of history and legacy.
• We believe true choice cannot exist without additional high-quality seats.
• We want what is best for all children and recognize a sense of urgency to transform schools.

TEN supports parent leaders across the state to build powerful and informed teams within their local communities in order to push for greater access to world-class schools and systems and hold them accountable to serve the needs of families and children. TEN works in multiple districts across the front range and the state legislature in order to support a network of grassroots leaders led by passionate and well-trained parents.

We were looking for community organizers at all experience levels who are interested in helping parent leaders across the metro region.  Organizers will work alongside team members and experienced organizers who have longtime expertise that are committed to mentoring and developing a team of professional career organizers.  We encourage all applicants interested in a fulfilling social justice-centered career, regardless of their previous experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify, train, and develop community leaders in the principles and practices of community organizing in order to build powerful parent-driven teams affiliated with Transform Education Now
• Develop and manage relationships with a broad base of constituents from targeted neighborhoods (including faith-based institutions, public officials, local government agencies, social service agencies, teachers, and school leaders), and build their support for the reform efforts of TEN’s parent teams
• Conduct at least 15 one-to-one visits with parents and community members every week
• Plan and coordinate large public forums, meetings, and actions led by parent leaders
• Monitor and report on local school boards
• Participate in local coalition and partner efforts
• Support TEN programming including Parents Choose
• Participate in fundraising and administrative activities as required

Community Organizers are required to work varying hours including occasional nights and weekends. This role includes regular research meetings with parents and community leaders, home visits, and canvassing of neighborhoods and communities that serve our target audiences. It requires constant use of strong independent judgment, self-motivation, and the capability of doing all the above duties with minimal supervision.

A sample week in the life of a Community Organizer

• Meet 1:1 with a parent leader to strategize the next steps in opening a new school option in their local community
• Plan with the TEN team to highlight parent leaders via social media challenges and produce a short video of the local campaign
• Prepare a team of 10-15 parents for a first meeting with their local board of education director to discuss language justice for multilingual learners
• Meet with partner advocacy organizations to discuss an upcoming joint event
• Train a parent leader to lead their first house meeting discussing educational options in their neighborhood
• Work with your supervisor to prepare for a research action
• Schedule a 1:1 with the family liaison of a local elementary school to begin building a relationship to execute base building
• Make phone calls to leadership teams to remind them to attend a house meeting
• Schedule 15 1:1s for the following week
• Support a new parent leader as they advocate for their students needs with the local principal and regional superintendent

Qualifications

Required:

• Baccalaureate degree or equivalent work experience
• Bilingual, Spanish speaking
• Experience working with African American, Latino, Asian American, and Immigrant communities
• Experience working in low-income communities
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with diverse stakeholders and communities
• Ability to write and speak clearly and persuasively, including speaking in small and large group settings
• Strong strategic thinking skills and an ability to analyze policies and institutions
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment, requiring flexibility, self-motivation, self-directed problem-solving, collaborative work style, drive toward results, and enthusiasm.
• Willingness to work as a member of and contribute to a team in a dynamic, learning environment, including supporting team members in parallel roles
• Passion for creating more high-quality school options for working families
• A valid driver's license and reliable, insured vehicle (needed to fulfill job requirements)
• Proof of eligibility to work in the United States
• Ability to work frequent evening meetings (average 3-4 per week) and some weekends

Preferred:

• Two to five years of professional community organizing or community development experience
• Understanding of the education reform landscape
• Academic or experiential knowledge related to building social capital and political power in low-income or otherwise underserved communities
• Experience in creating, supporting, and communicating complex public and educational policy matters
• Specialized knowledge or skills in grassroots leadership development, electoral campaign experience, and large-scale direct service

Working At 50CAN

This position is fully remote and operates in the Mountain Coast time zone. The salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition, 50CAN offers a comprehensive benefits package.  50CAN is an equal opportunity employer and we encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Full compliance with our organization's policies regarding COVID-19 includes the requirement that all new hires are to be fully vaccinated.

How To Apply

Interested applicants should apply through 50CAN's BambooHR portal here.  Please include your current resume and cover letter through the BambooHR portal only.