Director, Advocacy and Outreach at City Year in Washington, DC

Application Instructions

Please complete the online application and attach a resume and thoughtful cover letter in the "Resume/CV" field on the "My Experience" page. Internal applicants should apply through cyresource.

Position Overview

City Year is seeking an experienced Director, Advocacy and Outreach to join our Federal Affairs and National Service Policy team and lead our national service advocacy program.

By design and since inception, City Year has a strong record of accomplishment in the area of public policy, most notably helping to inspire the creation of AmeriCorps in 1993. Today, City Year is investing in the powerful and unique potential of national service to advance educational opportunities and to build a more equitable, just and hopeful future by creating environments where each person has a chance to maximize their potential. City Year has worked steadily to cultivate and leverage a broad base of political and public support and elevate national service as powerful policy strategy for tackling unmet needs, preparing young people for work, uniting our country and developing civic character. City Year serves as the organizational and operational host of Voices for National Service, a diverse coalition of national, state and local service organizations working together to build bipartisan support for national service, develop policies to expand and strengthen service opportunities for all Americans, and to ensure a robust federal investment in the Corporation for National and Community Service. City Year’s Federal Affairs and National Service Policy department, including the Director of Advocacy and Outreach, serves as the staff for Voices for National Service.

Job Description

POSITION OVERVIEW

City Year is seeking an experienced Director, Advocacy and Outreach to join our Federal Affairs and National Service Policy team and lead our national service advocacy program.

By design and since inception, City Year has a strong record of accomplishment in the area of public policy, most notably helping to inspire the creation of AmeriCorps in 1993. Today, City Year is investing in the powerful and unique potential of national service to advance educational opportunities and to build a more equitable, just and hopeful future by creating environments where each person has a chance to maximize their potential. City Year has worked steadily to cultivate and leverage a broad base of political and public support and elevate national service as powerful policy strategy for tackling unmet needs, preparing young people for work, uniting our country and developing civic character. City Year serves as the organizational and operational host of Voices for National Service, a diverse coalition of national, state and local service organizations working together to build bipartisan support for national service, develop policies to expand and strengthen service opportunities for all Americans, and to ensure a robust federal investment in the Corporation for National and Community Service. City Year’s Federal Affairs and National Service Policy department, including the Director of Advocacy and Outreach, serves as the staff for Voices for National Service.

As Director, Advocacy and Outreach, you will be charged with developing and executing all aspects of grassroots advocacy and advocate support/mobilization efforts, which includes leading outreach to public officials, managing special events, conducting research, leading communications and field-building activities aimed at protecting and growing federal funding and public support for national service. You will work with the President and Managing Director of Voices for National Service to create a national advocacy plan; implement mass mobilization and targeted advocacy campaigns; provide direction, serve as a mentor and coach to provide guidance to organizational partners and networks; identify new alliances and partnerships for Voices for National Service; and organize and participate in trainings, conferences and Capitol Hill Days. As a member of a small team, it will have outsized impact on our advocacy work. This role reports to our Senior Vice President, Federal Affairs and is a part of City Year’s Federal Affairs and National Service Policy department.

RESPONSIBILITIES

As the Director, Advocacy and Outreach, you will lead a team inside and outside of the organization to build the capacity of stakeholders to effectively mobilize, advocate and make a strong case for national service. You will also lead and manage an Associate Director, Coalition Operations and Outreach and work closely with the organizational members of Voices for National Service.

In this role, you will:

Lead Grassroots Mobilization and Training

• Mobilize Voices for National Service coalition members and represent Voices for National Service at partner meetings and events to help the coalition achieve its legislative objectives. s
• Recruit, train, develop and connect grassroots leaders.
• Translate federal policy into compelling communication and action items for diverse audiences.
• Create toolkits and templates that advocates can adapt and implement locally
• Design and deliver in-person and virtual trainings for grassroots leaders and help identify and develop partners, members and alumni as potential spokespeople for the value of national service.
• Engage with current partner organizations and individuals to participate in advocacy campaigns.
• Identify new potential leaders and build relationships to develop advocacy capacity over time.

Develop and Execute Communications and Digital Advocacy Strategy

• Work collaboratively with partners to develop and execute campaign strategies.
• Strategically leverage digital and social media to develop and improve direct action campaigns.
• Collaborate with team to write and craft segmented content including fact sheets, position statements, online/social media pieces and infographics.
• Establish metrics for success, monitor efforts and evaluate progress toward yearly goals.
• Support senior leaders in setting strategic direction for coalition and implementing work plan as needed. Includes project managing events, meetings, and more.

Support Execution of Advocacy Events

• Support production of annual Friends of National Service Awards, including design and content for the event’s speaking program.
• Support production of annual Capitol Hill Days; assist with scheduling meetings, collateral creation, event communications, pre-event trainings and day-of logistics
• Support other advocacy events as needed, including Days of Action, in-district service site visits and meetings, congressional briefings, or policy forums.

Be an inclusive leader and embody our Diversity, Belonging, Inclusivity, and Equity values

• Lead and develop an Associate Director, Coalition Operations and Outreach through inclusive and equitable leadership practices and a high level of accountability
• Create a collaborative, team-based and inclusive environment where the staff feel a strong sense of belonging and are supported to be engaged members and achieve their individual and

organizational goals.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE

We’re looking for an individual who has experience in impactful coalition-building and/or grassroots activation and thrives in building transformational relationships and partnerships. You have a demonstrated ability leading diverse sets of stakeholders toward achieving common goals and are comfortable in communicating to diverse audiences of various sizes (1:1 to large conferences) in a compelling manner that moves people to action. You have a knack for writing and presenting content in different ways to appeal to difference audiences, and you have a strong understanding of digital and social media strategy.

We’re also looking for someone who has a “get things done” mindset, as our work is dependent on sets of external factors and requires our team to be both agile and deliberate to meet larger stakeholder and community needs. We seek someone who desires to be part of and contribute to a team effort and has a demonstrated aptitude for project management. You can effectively make the switch from operating independently towards milestones on multiple projects to collaborating on developing strategies with your team and partners. You know how to identify and push through roadblocks, but also actively seek support and guidance where you might need it.

You are also a strong and inclusive people leader who will develop and empower your team and create a culture of belonging where they are able to thrive and do their best work. You are motivated by City Year’s mission and values and have a deep commitment to diversity, belonging, inclusion, and equity and a strong willingness to continue your own ongoing learning and growth in these areas.

In addition, you will have many of the following qualifications and attributes:

• Experience and delivering impact on a political or issue-based campaign, in government, or leading strategic advocacy efforts.
• Working knowledge of the federal government and strong grasp of the political process.
• Experience leading the design and implementation of advocacy strategies that advance policy goals.
• Experience crafting clear and compelling written content including fact sheets and online/social media pieces related to policy issues.
• Proficiency and comfort in utilizing and managing online communications and advocacy tools, such as blogs, social media and networking sites, and CRM software.
• Working knowledge of advocacy software such as EveryAction and CQ Knowlegis is helpful (similar tools include Salsa Labs, Nation Builder, Convio, NGP VAN, and Bloomberg Government).
• National service/AmeriCorps experience a plus.

Compensation and Benefits

Full time employees are entitled to compensation commensurate with experience. Benefits for full time employees include health insurance with Flexible Spending Account, paid vacation, holidays, parental leave, 401K, and more.

City Year is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse workforce. Individuals from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including persons with disabilities and veterans.