Senior Community Engagement Advocate

CENTER FOR FAMILY REPRESENTATION • New York, NY

7d • $94,000 - $113,300 • Hybrid

About The Position

CFR is seeking a Senior Community Engagement Advocate to coordinate and support the department’s community engagement initiatives and strengthen relationships with community partners. The role works collaboratively with department leadership to grow CFR’s presence in the boroughs where it has offices and to help ensure that communities learn about CFR’s services before encountering family policing or other government systems. The position reports to the Director of Government and Community Affairs and works with attorneys, social workers, parent advocates, and staff across the Early Defense, Policy, Fiscal, and Development teams. The advocate is expected to develop a strong understanding of CFR’s interdisciplinary model and to be familiar with community resources and needs in at least one borough where CFR practices.

The role leads outreach and relationship-building, coordinates community events and informational sessions, supports outreach and organizing efforts, and represents CFR in the community. Ongoing projects include cultivating relationships with NYCHA Tenant Associations, coordinating know-your-rights sessions and community roundtables, managing tabling outreach, and planning borough-specific Family Fun Day events. The advocate also supports legislative lobbying and organizing, assists the Early Defense and Family Defense teams with outreach, and reports community trends that may inform impact litigation or legislative reform. Administrative duties include maintaining records, calendars, and a community organization database, coordinating internal meetings, and keeping CFR staff informed about Community Engagement Team activities. The position supervises the Community Engagement Associate.

The role may be based in the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island. CFR permits telecommuting when there are no in-person client or organizational obligations, but frequent participation in community events and meetings across the five boroughs is expected. The schedule may require work after 5 p.m. and on some weekends. The position requires the ability to lift and carry 25 pounds.

Requirements

• At least 4 years of experience advocating on behalf of New York City communities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience planning community-facing events, such as Family Fun Day events, public testimony with impacted parent-led groups, know-your-rights sessions, and other community events.
• Experience tabling and sharing information with the general public.
• Knowledge of community resources in at least one borough where CFR practices.
• History of work in coalition-building spaces.
• Ability to work as part of a team and commitment to building strong relationships in the communities CFR serves.
• Strong time-management and communication skills.
• Self-motivation.
• Experience and comfort with public speaking.
• Ability to work nights and some weekends to attend community events.
• Ability to lift and carry 25 pounds.
• Familiarity with community resources and needs in at least one borough where CFR practices.
• Ability to develop a strong understanding of CFR’s interdisciplinary model and work.

Nice To Haves

• Personal experience navigating the child welfare or family policing system, criminal legal system, youth legal system, or immigration enforcement system is strongly preferred.
• Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin or another Chinese language, French, Bengali, Russian, or another language spoken by CFR clients.
• Experience being directly impacted by the family policing system, criminal legal system, immigration enforcement system, or youth legal system.
• Residence in one of the communities CFR serves.
• Experience working alongside attorneys, social workers, and parent advocates.
• Experience in community organizing and advocacy, ideally in both membership and policy campaigns.
• Experience and familiarity with CFR’s priority legislation and related policy areas.

Responsibilities

• Lead community outreach efforts in partnership with department leadership across CFR.
• Identify opportunities to strategically grow CFR’s community engagement work with individuals and community-based organizations.
• Identify community leaders who may partner with CFR to advance community engagement and policy goals.
• Work on special projects and initiatives with CFR colleagues as needed.
• Cultivate relationships with New York City Housing Authority Tenant Associations in the communities CFR serves and provide information about CFR’s services and how to access support.
• Coordinate community events, including know-your-rights sessions, community roundtables, and other informational sessions.
• Coordinate CFR’s tabling outreach program throughout its catchment area.
• Lead planning and execution of annual borough-specific Family Fun Day events and other community-facing events in partnership with relevant CFR leaders and external parties.
• Participate in legislative lobbying and organizing efforts with the Senior Policy Counsel and other community teams as needed.
• Attend Policy Team, Early Defense Team, and other internal and external meetings as organizational needs arise.
• Support Early Defense and Family Defense teams with program outreach as needed.
• Work with elected officials and senior government agency officials.
• Report community trends that could lead to impact litigation or legislative reforms.
• Represent CFR in the community in collaboration with the Director of Government and Community Affairs and other CFR leadership.
• Assist with data entry and tracking needs.
• Update and manage a community engagement calendar.
• Schedule and manage consistent internal meetings between the Early Defense and Policy teams.
• Maintain detailed records of community engagement activities.
• Keep CFR staff informed about Community Engagement Team activities.
• Maintain a database of community-based organizations CFR has contacted.
• Assist with distributing flyers and informational pamphlets.
• Supervise the Community Engagement Associate.
• Participate in know-your-rights presentations about the Family Policing System, which may take place anywhere in the five boroughs.
• Travel to community events and meetings related to the role.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary.
• Health benefits.
• 403(b) benefits.
• Vacation benefits.
• Generous telecommuting policy allowing staff to work from home when there are no in-person client or organizational obligations.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED