Statewide Community Engagement Coordinator

About Us

LEAD (Latinos for Educational Advocacy and Diversity) is seeking an experienced, passionate, and community-minded individual to fill the role of Community Engagement Coordinator for the Waterbury Area. This role is a pivotal part of our mission to empower communities across the state through programs, events, and activities. LEAD also works to organize and support high-quality Charter Schools tailored to the needs of the communities we serve.

To that end, we engage in effective advocacy for equitable funding and representation for communities across Connecticut. LEAD focuses on the main issue affecting education in our Latino community.

Position Overview

The Statewide Community Engagement Coordinator will spearhead LEAD’s efforts to connect with diverse communities across Connecticut’s 32 alliance districts, focusing especially on districts surrounding LEAD community centers. This pivotal role supports the development of charter schools across the state of Connecticut by supporting fellows with their community engagement efforts. The Community Engagement Coordinator will foster strong community relationships, enhancing the ability of the North Star Fellowship to establish high-quality charter schools throughout the state of Connecticut. This position requires content alignment with the team at The Mind Trust to properly support fellows in the process of establishing their respective charter schools. The ideal candidate is dynamic, adept in community organizing, and possesses strong skills in project management and advocacy.

Key Responsibilities:

Fellowship Support:

• Build community relationships and networks to support new charter schools
• Connect fellows/school leaders to community decision-makers and stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with local and state elected officials
• Activate networks & provide introductions to potential board members for new charter schools
• Work in coordination with the Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives to activate networks to identify potential applicants for the fellowship
• Organize local parents, families & charter school "champions" to advocate for new schools
• Write and gather letters of support/petition signatures, etc. as necessary
• Distribute community surveys to demonstrate demand for charter schools 
• Support enrollment efforts at new schools by sharing information, making connections, etc.
• Provide specific context to fellows on communities/neighborhoods regarding school location & engagement

Community Engagement:

• Connect with community leaders and organizations in the various cities and towns surrounding our community centers across the state of Connecticut to create a network of support.
• Develop and implement engagement strategies tailored to local communities, with a focus on Black, Latino, and Puerto Rican populations in the 32 alliance districts of Connecticut.
• Organize and lead community events, forums, and initiatives that enhance awareness and support for charter schools and LEAD’s educational objectives.
• Serve as a primary liaison between LEAD/North Star Fellowship program and community groups, educational bodies, and legislative stakeholders.
• Grow the LEAD support base through P2A (Phone2Action). Create and manage detailed databases of community contacts, ensuring meticulous documentation of engagements and resources developed.

Marketing and Communication:

• Direct the development and implementation of marketing and social media strategies to grow the base of support for LEAD.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in a related field is required.
• Preferably bilingual with fluency in English and Spanish
• Proven experience in community organizing, project management, and/or advocacy, particularly within education.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse groups and build networks.
• Proficiency in data management, with skills in creating and maintaining spreadsheets and detailed reports.
• Ability to work independently and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
• Passion for educational equity and reform, with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities within Connecticut’s alliance districts.

How to Apply and Next Steps

If you have the experience, passion, and drive to make a difference in our organization and the community, we want to hear from you! Please submit your resume and a cover letter highlighting your experience and connections across Connecticut.

LEAD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We encourage all interested individuals to apply.