Community Engagement Organizer

Position SummaryThe Community Organizer will be charged with building neighborhood coalitions, coordinating meetings and collective engagement activities, canvassing, phone banking, and general administrative duties. In coordination with the Community Engagement supervisor and broader Place-Based Initiatives team, the Neighborhood Organizer will oversee the creation and execution of individualized plans for a set of neighborhoods through the CLEAR organizing model. They will be responsible for meeting goals related to collective engagement efforts. The ideal team member is idealistic yet practical, collaborative, maintains a positive attitude, and is able to adapt to changes and setbacks. This position reports directly to the Community Engagement Supervisor and is part of the broader Place-Based Initiatives Unit. All team members are responsible for identifying best practices that could be applied across CEO and collaborating with cross-functional teams.Essential FunctionsCommunity Engagement Organizers are responsible for working collaboratively with the Place-Based Initiatives Unit staff to identify neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia that could benefit from additional resources and supports through deep engagement and relationship building. Organizers will be expected to:Collaborate with staff to identify neighborhoods/areas of focus through data-driven processes.Initiate outreach efforts to establish a strong connection with the community.Conduct needs based assessments and asset-mapping processes in conjunction with community members and leaders.Conduct surveys, interviews, and focus groups to understand the specific needs, concerns, and challenges of the community.Recruit and build partner networks with one-on-one meetings, stakeholders’ engagement, and community leaders' referrals; identify, recruit, and assist in training trusted voices in targeted communities by canvassing and conversations with community organizations.Work collaboratively with community and staff to create a strategic plan for engaging areas of focus with SMART goals and clear deliverables and timelines.Integrate special projects and initiatives from the organization and City into the neighborhood strategic plans.Host community meetings that align with objectives set forth in neighborhood strategic plans.Organize community forums, town hall meetings, or small group discussions to encourage active participation and dialogue.Plan and execute events that align with neighborhood strategic plans.Support canvassing and phone-banking teams to achieve unit-wide outreach goals.Work collaboratively to bring best practices from past work to new neighborhoods and areas of focus.Continuously engage with the community, monitor progress, and make necessary adjustments to the neighborhood strategic plan.Produce regular updates and reports around work product and progress.Provide resources, training, and support to empower community members to take ownership of their neighborhood’s strategic plan.Strategize with the Place-Based Initiatives Unit staff on expansion plans and new areas of focus.Other duties as assignedCompetencies, Knowledge, Skills and AbilitiesProject Manager: ability to create high level strategy and outline the steps needed to meet all objectives, strong organization skills, detail-oriented, thorough in completing tasks, and persistent in pursuit of goals.Mission-oriented: passionate about and dedicated to ensuring a complete and accurate Census in 2020Critical thinker: proven ability to work through complex problems/ tasks and the ability to prioritize and multi-task to meet deadlines.Adaptable: ability to understand and respond quickly to changes in the environment or direction; ability to toggle between big picture and details; able to be motivated about many different kinds of tasks and projects; self-starter with the flexibility to work independently and as part of a team.Effective communicator: strong oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, high level of emotional intelligence, and a track record of building effective relationships with diverse people.Familiarity with electronic tools: Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite required; excellent skills in Excel and PowerPoint; experience with VAN a plus.