Public Affairs and Community Engagement Representative - Orange, Governmental Relations at California School Boards Association in Orange, California

Job Description:

This is a telecommuting position with extensive travel in the Orange County region. The majority of this role's work will be performed within Orange County. Candidate must be located in the Orange County region as this position requires extensive travel.

Summary
Under the general direction of the Senior Director, External Affairs, this position serves as CSBA's liaison to local school and county boards of education, key decision-makers and the community-at-large, and is responsible for implementing CSBA's grassroots program, establishing relationships, and facilitating local and regional outreach and activation efforts. Communicates about issues in education that require familiarity with educational laws, regulations and trends. Executes grassroots strategies designed to build relationships with, train, support, and mobilize local school board members and communities to advance CSBA's legislative and statewide ballot measure advocacy priorities. Coordinates and executes fundraising events; and perform related work as required.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Facilitates interaction between school and county board of education members and state and federal legislators and identifies opportunities to build key relationships within legislative and congressional districts.
Engages local school and county board of education members to participate in policy meetings, coordinate grassroots efforts to influence state and federal legislators, coordinate state and federal legislator participation in their local district, county, and CSBA regional and division activities as well as provide leadership on priority ballot measures.
Communicates regularly on critical issues regarding legislative, political, and statewide ballot activity to school and county board of education members and various local community groups.
Participates in government affairs activities, including advocating association positions through contact with legislators, legislative staff, lobbyists, and community groups.
Represents CSBA at local school and county board of education meetings, and at other county, regional, and division events to ensure high, positive visibility for the association.
Stays abreast of local news and information concerning school and county board of education members, the school community, education, politics, business, and other developing issues.
Works to strengthen local school and county board of education member networking through meetings of county associations of school board members and other education stakeholders.
Liaisons with CSBA regional directors and delegates and empowers them to actively represent CSBA.
Delivers presentations and disseminates information packets, action alerts and other materials regarding hot topics affecting school districts, county offices of education, and public education.
Organizes letter-writing and other types of advocacy campaigns in assigned area.
Facilitates meetings with school and county board of education members and local education program tours for state legislators and other stakeholders.
Builds coalitions with other issue-relevant stakeholders and helps CSBA members build their own networks and coalitions.
Coordinates production of issue papers, talking points, articles, and PowerPoint presentations for dissemination to CSBA members, the public, the media and others.
Develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders.
Assists in planning local news events in coordination with other CSBA departments.
Assists with posting information on the Association's social media web pages.
Assists in CSBA PAC fundraising, including planning local events, informing school and county board of education members about CSBA PAC activities, expanding to new and capitalizing on existing relationships in the business, professional and public arenas.
Coordinates with various CSBA departments to inform school and county board of education members and their staff about services and programs offered by CSBA.
Creates and maintains CSBA database of important local contacts.
Maintains current understanding of education industry, from state laws to local district politics.
Participates in the short- and long-term strategy and direction for the department.
Carries out a variety of complex project work.
Facilitates and/or participates in internal CSBA Taskforce meetings, internal committees, online discussions, and webinars.
Frequent travels to various locations throughout the State of California.
Reads and demonstrates an understanding and adherence to CSBA values, policies, and practices.
Demonstrates respect, honesty and professionalism at all times.
Performs a variety of other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree or higher with major coursework in education leadership and/or policy analysis, public policy research and analysis, government, political science, or related field or equivalent education and two (2) to five (5) years of experience in political organizing with a minimum of three years of experience in an association, legislative or initiative campaign and or political environment. Experience with meeting and workshop coordination, facilitation, and presentation. Experience with public officials preferred.