Advocacy and Community Organizing Manager

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the general supervision of the Community Engagement Manager, the Advocacy and Community Organizing Manager will be responsible for maintaining relationships with key stakeholders in conversations that inform and promote RiseBoro’s mission. Additionally, they will serve as a community organizer to help identify and address the fundamental cause of problems community members face through asset-based community development practices. The manager in this role will be a key member of the Community Affairs team in articulating the RiseBoro strategic direction. Specific duties and responsibilities include:

• Engage RiseBoro serviced communities and communities that could benefit from support and services
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships, build a coalition with resident groups, and community-based economic development
• Work with internal teams to create base-building and advocacy-organizing strategies toward policy outcomes in discrete issue areas
• Assist in ensuring the alignment and coordination of civic engagement efforts with organizational advocacy campaigns and community mobilizations
• Engage with community members and stakeholders to assess current issues of concern, and achievements on public safety, displacement, habitable housing, open space, development, access to resources, and the arts
• Assist with efforts to develop community engagement pathways for RiseBoro’s work in new communities and development projects
• Engage with partners, funders, government agencies, and the offices of elected officials; assist with policy and legislative research as needed
• Deliver testimony at public hearings, community forums, and townhalls on behalf of RiseBoro’s policy and advocacy issues
• Attend lobbying and advocacy events related to RiseBoro’s policy agenda
• Work with organizational partners on advocacy campaigns that may include joint strategy meetings, joint actions, relationship building, and other actions that as needed to advance joint advocacy goals
• Work with the Community Affairs team and other RiseBoro divisions on external community communications/messages i.e., Development, Marketing/Communications
• Organize legislative advocacy goals, strategies, and budgets to reach desired legislative policy outcomes as needed
• Attend community meetings and events to gauge challenges, trends, and changes in the landscape of neighborhoods in which RiseBoro is invested
• Document stories and testimonies of community members on key community concerns and positive outcomes
• Liaise with residents, leaders, stakeholders, and programs to solicit input and develop partnerships; spend time in the community connecting and building meaningful relationships with community members
• Provide on-the-ground information and serve as a brand ambassador for RiseBoro’s strategic direction and change initiatives
• Identify and implement innovative ways of conducting day-to-day business to enhance effectiveness and efficiency as part of the Community Affairs team
• Ensure adequate and complete data collection
• Compile quantitative and qualitative reports for internal review, partners and funders as needed
• Communicate internally as a team and with the Development division if community fundraising or funding opportunities become available; generate success stories and reports for fundraising as needed
• Other related duties as required by Community Engagement Manager and Community Affairs team

COMPETENCIES

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong organizing and project management skills
• Excellent engagement, networking, and relationship management skills
• Effective listening and observations skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong conflict management skills
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to conduct market/community research as needed
• Effective public speaker and presenter
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish a plus
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team
• Creative with a positive attitude, entrepreneurial spirit, and a passion for empowering people to end the cycle of poverty
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet contractual deadlines; ability to work well under pressure
• Ability to think critically and use sound judgment
• Ability to maintain professionalism under stressful situations and sustain confidentiality with information
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable required; indoors/outdoors, various weather conditions, weekends, evenings, and early mornings as needed
• Experience in coalition building and community mobilization preferred
• Ability to work effectively in an environment with diverse cultures, multiple perspectives, and competing needs
• Commitment to RiseBoro’s mission, vision, and values
• Ability to understand the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting communities that have experienced systemic oppression and bias i.e., people of color, LGBTQ+ people, immigrants, justice-involved persons, etc.

EDUCATION EXPERIENCE

• Associate degree with a minimum of two (2) years of community organizing, engagement, developing grassroots leadership, and/or advocacy experience required
• Bachelor’s Degree in related area Preferred; Advanced degree a plus, but not required

It is the policy of RiseBoro to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment. No individual will be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, age, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, political or union affiliation, marital or partnership status, sex, sexual orientation or affectional preference, gender identity, familial status, genetic information or predisposition or characteristic, disability, status as a victim of domestic violence, status as a veteran or member of the U.S. military and related obligations, or any other characteristic protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, job placement, compensation, benefits, training and apprenticeship, employee development, promotion, demotion, discipline, transfer, lay-off and recall, and termination. RiseBoro makes reasonable accommodations based on religion and/or disability as required by law, and requests for accommodation are to be directed to the Human Resources Department.