COMMUNITY ORGANIZER: APPLICATION PERIOD CLOSES 10/19/09!

Community Organizer: Education Issues



Organization Name: Empower DC
Website: www.empowerdc.org http://www.empowerdc.org/
Location: 1419 V St, NW Washington, DC 20009
Job Terms: Full Time
Salary: $30,000 starting salary
Benefits: Medical and Dental coverage

Anticipated Start Date: Monday November 2, 2009

Duration: Through Dec 31, 2010 with possibility of extension (based on funding)

Schedule: Monday-Friday, with some evening and weekend hours; 40 hours per week


Job Description:
Empower DC seeks an Organizer to lead the development of a new grassroots campaign around education issues. The Organizer will work to organize, empower and mobilize parents and guardians who have middle and high school age students in DC Public Schools and Charter Schools to be involved in the development of and advocacy for Education Policies that will improve educational conditions, leading to an increase in high school graduation rates. Empower DC’s strategy for resolving these issues is to develop the sense of empowerment and entitlement of DC parents and guardians, and enhance the self-advocacy skills of effected low and moderate income DC residents, while bringing them together to develop their collective power to
make institutional change in the DC educational system that will benefit children in the District.


Responsibilities include:

· Conduct extensive outreach to identify and recruit impacted parents and encourage their involvement;

· Develop leadership and sense of empowerment amongst impacted residents through the provision of training, mentorship and direct experience aimed to develop effective self-advocacy skills;

· Facilitate the development of strategic campaign activities identified at campaign meetings during which participants are encouraged to identify policy recommendations, develop campaign objectives and take on leadership roles in carrying out campaign activities;

· Mobilize this constituency to be actively involved in the high level arenas where education policy making is taking place;

· Meet regularly with partners, allies and leaders;

· Identify the individuals, agencies, commissions and other bodies responsible for and/or impacting Education in DC;

· Organize trainings and forums to educate the broader community about Education issues in DC;

· Working with members and allies, develop an Education advocacy agenda;

· Organize city council and city agency meetings with Empower DC Members to advocate on issues of importance to the campaign;

· Assist with administrative duties including maintaining contact database;

· Assist with growing the membership of Empower DC;

· Participate in Empower DC’s Quarterly Membership Meetings, Board Meetings, and other activities as necessary;

· Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

· Minimum 2 years organizing or advocacy experience (volunteer experience acceptable) including experience building the leadership of community members

· Knowledge of and familiarity with the District of Columbia

· Strong interest in and commitment to community organizing and social, economic and racial justice

· Ability to effectively communicate, both in writing and verbally, relaying complicated information in a user-friendly manner

· Strong organizational skills, including the ability to work independently and manage own projects

· Basic computer competency for word processing and data management

· Must have a flexible schedule to accommodate some weekend and evening hours


Other Desired Qualities (not mandatory)

* Background in education and/or policy

* Fluency in Spanish

* Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

* Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply


Organization Description


Empower DC is a grassroots, membership-based organizing project. Empower DC’s mission is to enhance, improve and promote the self-advocacy of low and moderate income DC residents in order to bring about sustained improvements in their quality of life. Empower DC’s membership has identified affordable housing, early childhood education and saving public property as our top three current priorities. Empower DC currently has a staff of three, and an active Board of Directors who collaboratively lead the organization. The
new Organizer will report directly to the Director of the organization.


How to Apply


Please send a cover letter, résumé, and the names and contact information for three references to Parisa Norouzi, Director at parisa@empowerdc.org or by fax, 202-234-6655, by October 19, 2009. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Parisa B. Norouzi
Executive Director
EMPOWER DC
1419 V St, NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 234-9119