Our Mission: We coach and support students from low socioeconomic backgrounds to prepare for and graduate from college as transformational leaders in order to forge a just and equitable society. College Success Foundation believes in respecting, upholding, and reflecting diversity and is committed to becoming an anti-racist organization. By leading with equity, and utilizing an anti-racist lens in our work, we center diversity, equity, and inclusion in everything we do. We believe students win when we have a high- performing culture that is committed to eliminating barriers to student achievement. Our passion is fostering educational equity, making college accessible and affordable to underserved students from low-income families.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Program Manager is responsible for performing critical support for the College Success Foundation's (CSF) government relations, advocacy and strategic partnership work. This work encompasses collaborative advocacy efforts across our organization, including government relations, policy analysis, and public engagement. Key activities include tracking and analyzing legislation, building relationships with state agencies and lawmakers, coordinating advocacy campaigns and communications and conducting research to support our legislative positions. Our team works closely with program staff, community partners, and leadership to ensure our advocacy represents diverse perspectives and experiences.
PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The items listed in this section are the primary duties and responsibilities for this job and do not represent an exhaustive list. Our organization is dynamic and therefore duties may change based on business necessity; however, any new duties will remain within the scope of the job.
In partnership with the Director, lobby and/or advocate with state legislators and other elected or agency officials to advance CSF's policy priorities.
Serve as primary organizational representative with legislative aides and legislative committee staff.
Support the Director in building and maintaining relationships with state elected officials and key state agency staff to achieve public policy and funding objectives.
Lead development and execution of the strategy to acquire, engage and activate grassroots advocates.
Work with team to build alliances and promote policy collaborations across issue areas.
Represent CSF at advocacy coalitions, task forces, workgroups, and committees as assigned.
Facilitate and coordinate staff, partner, alumni, board and grassroots advocates participation in public policy work, including meetings with elected officials, legislative testimony, state rulemaking, and influencing policies and practice.
Develop and implement strategies to center the expertise of youth and young adults in setting the organization's policy agenda and in the advocacy process. Support the Director's efforts to engage coalition partners in the advocacy process.
Work with team to develop and implement strategies and tools to effectively track work with legislators, policy advocates, and advocacy coalitions.
Track all relevant legislation, partner and coalition priorities, and partner with Director on appropriate response.
Plan and implement advocacy events and other activities to support the organization's goals, such as legislative advocacy days, town halls, legislator visits, and meetings.
In collaboration with CSF marketing and communications team and Director, develop a range of content and materials in support of the organization's government agenda and voice, such as advocacy action alerts, blog posts, talking points, legislative summaries, factsheets, testimony, reports, and letters.
As appropriate, prepare alumni and young adults to testify or otherwise participate in the advocacy process.
Provide administrative and logistical support for conferences, workshops and other meetings and events.
Co-facilitate meetings and presentations as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
The items listed below are the minimum requirements for the job and are relevant to this position. The organization values both work experience and education and realizes that individuals take different paths to acquire knowledge.
Bachelor's degree preferred.
Minimum five years of related work experience. Experience in government relations, advocacy, program management preferred.
Knowledge and Skills
Outstanding organizational, project management, and administration skills.
Ability to multi-task while responding to multiple priorities.
Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office365 suite.
Detail oriented with a high level of accuracy.
An established commitment to work collaboratively with CSF staff, colleagues, and stakeholders •Utilize proactive approaches to problem-solving with decision-making capability.
Knowledge of the Washington state legislative process preferred.
Knowledge of or interest in college access and completion.
Connection with Washington State higher education landscape preferred.
Microsoft Office365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
Be a "self-starter" and able to work independently.
Works collaboratively with CSF staff, colleagues, and other partners.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, respecting individual differences, and serving diverse populations.
Initiative to learn and enhance skills that promote equity and an understanding of oppression and its impact on underserved populations.
Professional Certifications and Licenses
N/A
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The College Success Foundation is committed to fostering an organizational culture that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary duties and responsibilities of this job. Therefore, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the interview process or to perform the primary duties and responsibilities of this role, please contact Human Resources.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:
Operate office equipment such as computers, servers, networking devices, and other hardware components.
Repeatedly move up to 10 pounds, and frequently lift and/or carry heavy equipment up to 50 pounds.
Perceive, inspect, and assess data at close range.
Communicate information and ideas to create understanding and exchange accurate information.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Role operates in a moderately quiet office environment.
This position requires Washington state residents if assigned to a Washington based location. If this position is assigned to a District of Columbia based location, the resident must reside in the District of Columbia.
Must be able to work a flexible work schedule, including special events, pre-planned weekends and evenings.
Uses collaborative software for communicating with others and attending virtual meetings.
Frequent travel and reliable transportation are required.
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: The position may change based upon needs of the program and/or organizational needs and available funding. In compliance with federal and state regulations, College Success Foundation maintains a drug free environment and all successful applicants must pass a drug screen prior to hire. Employees of College Success Foundation and its subsidiaries must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural and diverse work environment.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.
For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.