Position: Associate Director, Southern CA Local Advocacy
Location: Remote, must reside within San Bernardino or Riverside Counties
Date: October 2024

Description of Job: The Associate Director, Local Advocacy supports advocacy, political and communications campaigns across Southern California in the areas of authorization and oversight, charter renewals and new petitions. This position works closely with charter school operators, community partner organizations, district and county elected officials and senior staff to enhance policy, influence the political landscape, and create a supportive ecosystem to ensure quality, opportunity gap-closing schools have the resources and supports they need to thrive.

Overview of Responsibilities

The Associate Director is an integral part of the Southern California Local Advocacy team, which supports over 243 charter schools across 5 counties, San Bernardino, Riverside, Orange, Imperial, Inyo, and San Diego Counties. Reporting to the VP, Southern CA Local Advocacy, the Associate Director leads efforts to help shape and advocate for the landscape of charter schools and policies that benefit charter schools in the Southern California region. Responsibilities include, building relationships with the individuals leading charter schools in the region, implementing comprehensive strategies to ensure California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) supported schools are renewed and have access to the resources they need to be successful, and collaborate with the other members of the team and take on general responsibilities within the entire region. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in policy advocacy, excellent communication and relationship-building skills, and a deep understanding of the local educational landscape. Proven experience in managing successful advocacy campaigns and working with diverse stakeholders will make them well-suited to advance charter school interests effectively.

Essential Duties

• Member Engagement/Management: Ensure that members are engaged and involved in regional CCSA Local Advocacy goals through work such as organizing meetings, connecting with members one-on-one, and facilitating interactions with local authorizers/elected officials. Also, this role will track member engagement through tools such as salesforce, ensuring engagement in membership surveys, and survey response in Blackthorn event systems.
• Relationship Building: Cultivate and maintain relationships with local charter leaders, local district and county elected officials, community partners and senior charter staff. Ensure the development of positive relationships between charter schools and authorizers to help with future work in material revisions, renewals, and new petitions.
• Coalition Building: Engage as a partner with aligned community organizations to advance access to quality public education (i.e. meetings, events, or professional development opportunities)
• Policy Making and Advocacy: Own and manage charter-related policy matters at the San Bernardino County Board of Education, San Bernardino City Unified, Riverside County Office of Education, and other districts, or counties as assigned.
• Political Engagement: Engage in non-partisan and partisan electoral work under the umbrella of CCSA Advocates—CCSA’s tandem 501(c)4 organization. Provides support as appropriate to CCSA Advocates with campaign efforts at the local and state level.
• Internal Collaboration: Collaborate with other members of the local advocacy team and other cross-team functions to align efforts and achieve organizational goals, such as member renewal and acquisition campaigns. Support public relations and creative services team by seeking and elevating member stories for earned and owned media amplification. Supports CCSA-sponsored events and activities as needed, including CCSA’s annual Charter Schools Conference.

What Success Looks Like:

The Associate Director, Southern California Local Advocacy will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing political strategy and member support in the Inland Empire. The Associate Director will have strong relationships with members and elected officials to ensure the continued progress and collaboration in charter school systems and processes. In addition, the Associate Director will work to ensure future authorizer progress through the C4 candidate recruitment / endorsement, PAC organization, fundraising efforts, and support of elections in key areas/boards. The Associate Director will also work with the SOCAL team to plan, execute, and support regional events.

Competencies

• Analytical and strategic skills – ability analyze complex information, identify patterns and connections across workstreams, evaluate risks and benefits, and proactively create solutions while anticipating future trends and implications.
• Communicates effectively – demonstrates ability to effectively communicate by keeping others informed, listening actively and adapting communication to various audiences in a clear and concise manner.
• Growth Mindset – willingness to engage in reflection and examine one’s own biases, assumptions and attitudes. Embraces giving and receiving feedback, while applying feedback and reflections to improve performance and evolve personally and professionally. Enjoys and seeks out new challenges that provide professional growth and development.
• Collaboration and Relationship Building - Fosters connection, Builds relationships and rapport with people across differences, levels, functions, cultures, and geography. Engages honestly and fairly with others, showing consideration and respect for individual differences.

Required / Preferred Capabilities

• A minimum of 3 years of experience in public education, public policy, advocacy, or another related field, required
• Must reside (or be willing to relocate) in Riverside or San Bernardino Counties
• Have reliable transportation as weekly travel is required for this position (about 30% of the time)
• Strong command of tools such as Salesforce, Excel, and other Office products, preferred
• Fluency in Spanish, preferred

Benefits and Salary

Salary for this position starts at $68,000 annually. Selected candidates will be offered a starting salary based on years of aligned experience and any specialized training or certifications (if preferred for the position). Our organization is deeply committed to equity, and thus has a no-negotiation policy. CCSA also offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage upon hire, 401K eligibility with a company match (up to 6%) after the first 90 days of employment, and generous paid time off.

How to Apply

When applying please submit a cover letter answering the following questions:

• What is it about our mission that resonates with your experience and/or interests?
• What makes you an exceptional candidate for this position?
• Where did you learn about this opportunity?