Hiring Organization Information
Position Information
League of Education Voters Foundation (LEV) is a non-partisan organization that partners with parents, students, and civic leaders who believe in a quality education from cradle to career. LEV is the only Washington-based organization working to improve public education from early learning through higher education. We shape the debate, build powerful coalitions, and grow the grassroots to achieve meaningful reform and ample resources for education. Additional information can be found at educationvoters.org.
The Regional Field Director works in person, in the Yakima area, with some additional work in the Tri-Cities area, to build a local community network of people who speak up to improve the quality and funding of education in the state of Washington and in particular improving outcomes for marginalized communities. The range of the work includes early learning through higher education. To accomplish this work, the Regional Field Director collaborates with the LEV Policy, Communications, Government Relations and Field teams, to build a network of people to influence LEV and policy makers. Projects will include building teams of advocates, building coalitions of organizations, planning and implementing educational and fundraising events, regularly interacting with policymakers, and developing, recruiting, and including board members in regional work.
This position is full-time and reports to the LEV Chief Engagement Officer. LEV expects this position to be hybrid between at home and an LEV provided office.
Position responsibilities
- Co-develop and manage Central WA Field plan
- Synthesize and deliver in a concise manner education policy matters to key stakeholders
- Manage and report on weekly regional Field data
- Collaborate with fundraising contractor on donor/foundation relationships, and write, implement, track, and report on grant funding
- Develop and implement plan for grassroots feedback to LEV on policy positions
- Build grass-tops relationships with regional legislators, school administrators, and school board members
- Research, recruit, and recommend members for a Central Washington Advisory Council
- Build relationships with advocates, community-based organizations, and institutions to better understand their needs and educate and inspire people to speak up to improve education in Washington state
- Listen and learn from various stakeholders about their needs, and communicate those needs to influence policy and government affairs directions in policy
- Recruit LEV base members and regional experts to meet with legislators and testify before the legislature
- Design and execute workplans for the regional area to meet the needs of ethnically diverse communities, train education advocates, and implement advocacy tactics and strategies
- Effectively build coalitions and communicate LEV policy directions
Required skills and abilities
- Ability to engage in effective coalition building with measurable outcomes
- Sensitivity to racial, ethnic, and class differences as well as other differences among people with whom employee will work
- Bilingual in English and Spanish (at least professional working proficiency)
- Develop sustained, collaborative, community relationships and working partnerships with key stakeholders (e.g. community-based organizations, youth service providers, parents, and school district representatives)
- Passionate about improving public education for all of Washington’s students and using social and digital media to raise awareness, build political will, and motivate audiences to act
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills
- Ability to meet multiple, shifting deadlines and priorities with nimbleness and flexibility while maintaining a perspective on long-term goals
- Strategic thinker, with ability to map daily responsibilities to LEV's overall mission and goals
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple work streams simultaneously
- A leader who can develop and implement multi-stakeholder mobilization efforts for statewide campaigns and coalition building
- Must have a car; infrequent but required evening and weekend work
- Ability to develop regional policy, mobilization, and advocacy plans
Minimum qualifications
- Proven track record organizing volunteers to advocate on local and/or state issues
- Established relationships with regional and diverse communities
- Event management experience
- Job includes some travel and will include evening and weekend meetings
- At least 5-7 years of related work or volunteer experience
- A deep commitment to and passion for closing opportunity and achievement gaps so that every student in Washington state has access to an excellent education
- Proficiency with Microsoft 365 including Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint and PowerPoint
Other desired qualifications
- Knowledge and experience working in Central Washington education and policy spaces
- Drive for continuing professional education and credentials