Camden Parent and Community Organizer

Position Summary:

The Camden Parent and Community Organizer works within the Mastery Schools External Strategies Division, Advocacy and Organizing Department, and is responsible for organizing a deep and broad base of parents and communities in support of school choice and parent power. They must be committed to ensuring that every family has access to high-quality schools and creating positive change in the communities and cities we serve. The Camden Parent and Community Organizer 1) builds Parent Action Teams in five (5) Mastery schools which roll up to the Mastery Parent Action Team by developing, training and stewarding parent leaders 2) organizes effective local actions in support of our schools, families and surrounding neighborhoods 3) contributes to Mastery Schools strategies to grow influence and impact change 4) manages projects and campaigns efficiently and effectively. The Camden Parent and Community Organizer is expected to develop and/or meet established metrics for parent engagement, external meetings, and actions.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build Parent Action Teams in all Mastery Schools of Camden
• Conduct outreach and recruit parent leaders through active weekly presence across all schools
• Build parent and school leader relationships through ongoing one-on-one meetings
• Organize regular Parent Action Team meetings at each school
• Confirm Parent Action Team representation at all Mastery Parent Action Team meetings
• Work collaboratively with principals and school leaders on issues, school tours with elected officials, and parent action team meetings
• Organize parent action teams to host regular school-based tours and meetings with elected officials, police and city agencies who represent each school in an effort to build relationships and advocate on behalf of Mastery Schools of Camden and its families
• Organize effective local actions
• Through the Parent Action Teams, support and train parent leaders to define, take action and win on issues in support of our schools, families and surrounding neighborhoods
• Develop parent leadership through strategic planning and action
• Build and work in coalition with community partners when appropriate
• Contribute to Mastery Schools strategies to grow influence and impact change in Camden and Trenton
• Develop a deep understanding of Mastery Schools mission and values, strategic plan, and history
• Develop a deep understanding of the Camden and Trenton political and educational landscape
• Develop relationships with community leaders, educational and political influencers, and grassroots agents in support of deepening Mastery Schools of Camden’s presence and influence in the City
• Manage projects and campaigns efficiently and effectively
• Maintain accurate records and enter data into relevant databases and dashboards in a timely manner
• Research and analyze issues to produce action plans and timelines
• Utilize available data effectively
• Work collaboratively and effectively with organizing team, school leadership teams, and colleagues throughout Mastery and bring problem-solving, creativity, and flexibility to every challenge
• Produce regular reports on tangible wins, parent engagement, parent action team actions, and external meeting summaries
  
  

Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Strong leadership skills and a demonstrated capacity to produce results
• Team player who is a self-motivated "go-getter" with the ability to lead and motivate others
• Curiosity in people’s stories and the ability to listen and learn from a wide and diverse range of people
• Commitment to educational equity and excellence for all students
• Knowledge of public education, charter schools, and political landscape highly desirable
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint
• Able to record detailed and accurate meeting notes and enter records into databases in a timely manner
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent problem solver and creative and strategic thinker
• Flexible and able to adapt quickly to changing priorities
• Self-awareness with the ability to reflect and adapt to diverse environments
• Cultural competency and experience working with families from diverse ethnic and class backgrounds
  
  

Education and Experience:

• Minimum three (3) years of professional experience in organizing, politics, community relations, education, business development, social services or relevant field
• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree preferred
• Must be bilingual in Spanish and English
• Experience with grassroots field organizing, including experience in political or issues campaigns, or leading a field organizing team a plus
• Self-awareness with the ability to reflect and adapt to diverse environments
• Cultural competency and experience working with families from diverse ethnic and class backgrounds
  
  

Other Requirements:

• Ability to physically perform the essential duties of the role as outlined above, and to work in the environmental conditions required, such as: traveling to network campuses; monitoring and interacting with students, in-person facilitation of trainings, etc.
• Position requires regular local &/or regional travel to Mastery and other sites.
• Must have valid driver’s license and vehicle.
• Availability for evening and weekend meetings and events, approximately 10% of total work time.
  
  

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