Civic Engagement Project Coordinator

Harris County Department of Education•Houston, TX

About The Position

Primary Purpose: Responsible for organizing and coordinating HCDE divisions (Head Start, CASE for Kids, Adult Education, Special Schools) participation in grant funded civic engagement and voter participation initiative. Collaborate with divisions to organize presentations, activities, resources and, data collection and analysis that focuses on voter education and civic engagement.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in community development/organizing, social or public policy, social justice/social work, political science, or government; or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in an unrelated field with experience in community advocacy/organizing.
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Excellent presentation skills
Ability to interact with diverse populations
Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills
Highly organized and able to work at a rapid pace
Ability to organize, prioritize, meet established deadlines and handle multiple tasks
Ability to maintain accurate and auditable records
Ability to communicate effectively (verbal and written) using proper English grammar
Excellent public speaking skills
Effective interpersonal skills with staff, families and community partners
Proficiency with a variety of software, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Publisher and Access
Two years of experience working with communities to raise awareness of services and resources available and coordinating community events.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual (English/Spanish) speaking skills preferred

Responsibilities

Coordinate materials and activities between HCDE divisions (Head Start, CASE for Kids, Special Schools, Adult Education) and external partners.
Introduce Your Voice Matters project to Head Start Policy Council, afterschool programs, adult education staff and students, and staff at alternative schools.
Develop civic engagement activities.
Gather resources for upcoming elections and organize an election calendar for applicable city/county/state/national elections.
Create and distribute baseline survey on civic engagement and voting patterns to Head Start and afterschool parents and adult learners.
Organize or support nonpartisan candidate forums for city and county elections.
Collaborate with community organizations to make presentations on voter education.
Implement civic engagement activities with Head Start Policy Council, afterschool programs, alternative education students and adult education learners.
Organize and recruit volunteers for activities like distributing nonpartisan voter education materials to residents and block walking.
Facilitate adult learners pursuing citizenship touring the USCIS office and preparing for exam.
Create and distribute post-election surveys to parents, voting-eligible students and adult learners and analyze results.
Achieve grant goals for percentage of eligible voters reached who will report on post-election survey that they voted in elections.
Provide information to schools regarding high school students serving as election workers.
Organize and coordinate visits to meet with local and state elected officials.
Track percentage of voters reached who report they voted in the March primary election.
Revisit approach to civic engagement activities after analyzing survey results.
Organize and coordinate service-learning activities for students to promote civic engagement.
Discuss ways to gear up for November election with Head Start Policy Council, afterschool parents, adult learners and staff at alternative education schools.
Reach potential voters via block walking, phone calls or, text for November election.
Continue civic engagement activities with participants; adjust approach as needed based on post-election survey.
Perform other duties as assigned