Public Affairs and Community Engagement Representative (North Coast)

Summary

Under the general direction of the External Affairs Director, this position serves as CSBA's liaison to local school and county boards of education, key decision-makers and the community-at-large, and is responsible for implementing CSBA's grassroots program, establishing relationships, and facilitating local and regional outreach and activation efforts. Communicates about issues in education that require familiarity with educational laws, regulations and trends. Executes grassroots strategies designed to build relationships with, train, support and mobilize local school board members and communities to advance CSBA's legislative and statewide ballot measure advocacy priorities. Coordinates and executes fundraising events.

This is a telecommuting position. The majority of this role's work will be performed within Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lakeport, Sonoma, Napa, Marin, and Solano.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Facilitates interaction between school and county board of education members and state and federal legislators and identifies opportunities to build key relationships within legislative and congressional districts.
• Engages local school and county board of education members to participate in policy meetings, coordinate grassroots efforts to influence state and federal legislators, coordinate state and federal legislator participation in their local district, county, and CSBA regional and division activities as well as provide leadership on priority ballot measures.
• Communicates regularly on critical issues regarding legislative, political and statewide ballot activity to school and county board of education members and various local community groups.
• Participates in government affairs activities, including advocating association positions through contact with legislators, legislative staff, lobbyists and community groups.
• Represents CSBA at local school and county board of education meetings, and at other county, regional, and division events to ensure high, positive visibility for the association.
• Stays abreast of local news and information concerning school and county board of education members, the school community, education, politics, business and other developing issues.
• Works to strengthen local school and county board of education member networking through meetings of county associations of school board members and other education stakeholders.
• Liaisons with CSBA regional directors and delegates and empowers them to actively represent CSBA.
• Delivers presentations and disseminates information packets, action alerts and other materials regarding hot topics affecting school districts, county offices of education, and public education.
• Organizes letter-writing and other types of advocacy campaigns in assigned area.
• Facilitates meetings with school and county board of education members and local education program tours for state legislators and other stakeholders.
• Builds coalitions with other issue-relevant stakeholders and helps CSBA members build their own networks and coalitions.
• Coordinates production of issue papers, talking points, articles, PowerPoint presentations for dissemination to CSBA members, the public, the media and others.
• Develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders.
• Assists in planning local news events in coordination with other CSBA departments.
• Assists with posting information on the Association's social media web pages.
• Assists in CSBA PAC fundraising, including planning local events, informing school and county board of education members about CSBA PAC activities, expanding to new and capitalizing on existing relationships in the business, professional and public arenas.
• Coordinates with various CSBA departments to inform school and county board of education members and their staff about services and programs offered by CSBA.
• Creates and maintains CSBA database of important local contacts.
• Maintains current understanding of education industry, from state laws to local district politics.
• Participates in the short- and long-term strategy and direction for the department.
• Carries out a variety of complex project work.
• Facilitates and/or participates in internal CSBA Taskforce meetings, internal committees, online discussions, and webinars.
• Frequent travels to various locations throughout the State of California.
• Reads and demonstrates an understanding and adherence to CSBA values, policies, and practices.
• Demonstrates respect, honesty and professionalism at all times.
• Performs a variety of other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• School boards, school district and county board of education organization and work.
• California's education system and overall education policy knowledge and practice.
• Communications, grassroots organizing and the legislative process; demonstrated experience communicating and working with elected officials, such as legislators, legislative staff, as well as association members, and the public.
• Local school district, county office of education and/or local government structure. Established relationships with local public officials and press are preferred.
• School district and county office of education governing boards and how they function.
• Federal, state, and local government organizations.

Ability to:

• Work collaboratively to affect outcomes based on principles of effective coalition building, strategic alliances, collaborative advocacy and campaign management are essential.
• Identify connections between issues, trends, and current events.
• Make clear, and compelling presentations about key education practice and policy topics.
• Analyze legislative and regulatory proposals.
• Plan, coordinate and facilitate meetings and events about complex education issues.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse population.
• Communicate ideas in writing in a clear and concise manner.
• Work both independently and in collaboration with colleagues to meet individual and team goals.
• Balance multiple work responsibilities, tasks, and projects while keeping to appropriate timelines.
• Maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to frequently travel throughout the state of California.

Education & Experience

• Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree or higher with major coursework in education leadership and/or policy analysis, public policy research and analysis, government, political science, or related field or equivalent education and two (2) to five (5) years of experience in political organizing with a minimum of three years of experience in an association, legislative or initiative campaign and or political environment. Experience with meeting and workshop coordination, facilitation, and presentation. Experience with public officials preferred.

Environment Elements & Physical Demands

• Employee's work will involve extensive travel; primarily in a car in a sedentary sitting position over extended periods of time.
• Employee is personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines, instructions, and policies.
• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone; must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed in the execution of duties.
• Must be able to sit at computer for long periods of time and have the dexterity to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, and operate standard office equipment.
• Employee must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds, hand truck available to assist.
• Must be able to travel frequently to various locations throughout the state of California, which may include occasional overnight stays.
• Must have the dexterity and mobility to facilitate or present information to a group, access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, and operate standard facilitation equipment.

Licenses & Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to, obtain a valid California Driver's license by time of appointment.