EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH BOARD

First Things First (Arizona Early Childhood Development and Health Board) is an essential leader and partner in creating a family‐centered, equitable, high‐quality early childhood system that supports the development, well‐being, health and early education of all Arizona’s children, birth to age 5. Created by voter initiative in 2006, First Things First is governed by a state Board with 28 regional partnership councils. First Things First is a decentralized organization that engages diverse constituencies to accomplish its mission. Organizational values include a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion; a focus on accountability, transparency, coordination and collaboration; and an emphasis on the outcomes that will ensure young children start kindergarten healthy and ready to succeed in school and in life.

Address: 4000 N Central Ave., Suite 500, Phoenix, AZ 85012

Salary: $55,000 - $60,000 

Grade: 21

The Community Engagement Coordinator creates and inspires community support for the importance of early childhood and First Things First (FTF). This position will enthusiastically engage communities to influence and transform the way people think about, talk about and take action in support of early childhood. This position will promote community engagement awareness efforts through various internal and external platforms. The ideal candidate will possess skills in active listening, facilitating conversation, public presentations and self‐motivation to build relationships with the general public. This position requires substantial effort to work independently and coordinate with a team to network, grow new and existing community relationships, and engage with diverse populations. The coordinator will act as a thought partner and lead community engagement efforts that advance public awareness‐ related systems change goals, both regionally and statewide. This position uses tailored and targeted awareness and engagement strategies, primarily in the Phoenix North Region and Phoenix South Region.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Engage the community through tailored public presentations, workshops and communication tactics that introduce FTF, broadly educate about needs of young children, and inspire action in support of early childhood and FTF.
• Create and cultivate relationships with individuals and groups that are trusted sources for families and/or are community influencers.
• Leverage networking at organizational meetings and special events, maintain regular follow up communications, prepare and distribute engagement materials, and develop and promote earned media and success stories.
• Collaborate and coordinate with FTF teams and community partners to meet shared awareness goals, including identified community engagement related systems change efforts.
• Apply initiative, creativity, strategic thinking and systems process thinking to lead strategy and planning conversations for your work.
• Lead engaging presentations and discussions with the regional partnership council around outcomes and opportunities.
• Develop engagement plans for strategy implementation and individual goals, and complete internal reporting.
• Represent First Things First as a local spokesperson on the importance of early childhood and the mission and goals of the agency.
• Promote the work of community engagement through a variety of media channels including social media, newsletters, media outreach and other audience engagement platforms.
• Performs duties in a manner that supports the First Things First internal culture and mission with respect and cooperation.
• Supports additional opportunities as related to the role and Community Engagement team functions.

• Undergraduate degree or 1‐2 years of equivalent experience in communications, public relations, community engagement or related field preferred.
• Experience demonstrating effective interpersonal communication skills, verbal and in writing, with both individuals and groups (i.e. active listening, public speaking and facilitating conversation with diverse audiences).
• Experience in initiating connections and building relationships, preferably within the Phoenix area and surrounding communities.
• Ability to showcase the skill of creativity, influence and motivating others toward action.
• Bilingual in Spanish or other languages preferred.
• This position requires regular day, evening and overnight travel across the Phoenix area and surrounding areas, and ability to work evenings and weekends with occasional overnight travel. State resources and accommodations are provided.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

ASRS