Community Engagement Program Coordinator - Part-Time

Overview

The School and State Finance Project (schoolstatefinance.org) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit policy organization that works collaboratively with policymakers, communities, and other key stakeholders to develop data-driven solutions that ensure all public school students receive equitable education funding that supports their learning needs.

 

Our Mission: To eliminate racial and economic disparities in Connecticut education funding.

 

Our Vision: All Connecticut students have equitable funding, access, and opportunities — no matter their race, socio-economic status, learning needs, or zip code.

 

Since our founding in 2015, we have secured an additional $526 million in need-based funding for Connecticut students, directly engaged nearly 15,000 community members, and led the effort to implement a comprehensive, student-centered funding formula.

 

We are an independent and trustworthy source of high-quality research and accessible analysis, and serve as a bridge between those who demand equity for all students and the elected leaders who are charged with making policy.

 

Although not a member-based organization, the School and State Finance Project actively works with a diverse group of stakeholders and communities across Connecticut. The School and State Finance Project aims to serve as a trusted resource for state and local policymakers, school district officials, community leaders, and all people looking for transparent, accessible, and approachable information about education funding and state finance.

 

The School and State Finance Project is a fiscally sponsored organization of TSNE (tsne.org).

 

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

 

Reporting to the Director of Community Engagement for the School and State Finance Project, the Community Engagement Program Coordinator will help develop and execute the organization’s community engagement programs, including: “ConneCTed for Change,” our small group initiative; our Youth Town Halls; and our workshops.

 

The ideal Community Engagement Program Coordinator will be a highly-skilled communicator, in both communicating out to target audiences through verbal and written forms, and listening to the needs of community members and internal staff. This is a great opportunity for an individual who is experienced in education, parent leadership, and/or community organizing.

 

Specific job responsibilities include:

• Supporting the Director of Community Engagement and Community Engagement Manager in developing and executing the organization’s community engagement programming by ensuring materials needed are up-to-date and available, spaces are coordinated, and partner needs are met;
• Working with the Director of Community Engagement and Community Engagement Manager to identify opportunities and needs in communities in order to produce and update community-specific materials about school funding (such as workshops, collateral materials, online needs, etc.);
• Collaborating with the School and State Finance Project’s communications team to ensure communication needs are being met for community members and partner organizations;
• Interacting with community members via email, phone, social media, or in person in formats that may include individual and small group connections;
• Developing curricular materials for ConneCTed for Change, aid in training facilitators, and provide ongoing support for facilitators;
• Providing on-the-ground support and coverage for ConneCTed for Change facilitators, youth town halls, workshops, and the organization’s State of the Student Conference as needed; and
• Other duties and special projects, as assigned.

Qualifications

 

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below.

• Associate’s degree or greater required;
• 2+ years of experience working in community engagement
• Superb writing skills and ability to write for different audiences and knowledge levels;
• Exceptional ability to communicate (verbally, graphically, and in writing) complex issues in an approachable and easy-to-understand manner;
• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to “multi-task” and produce high-quality work in a timely manner;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, follow direction, and take and provide constructive feedback;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word and PowerPoint) as well as Google Workspace (Docs and Slides) required;
• Social media skills with a proficient knowledge of Instagram and Facebook;
• Strong ability to work with others to create and implement plans;
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