[COMM-ORG] job: childhood ed organizer, Washington DC, with salary info

[Discussion list for COMM-ORG]

From: Parisa Norouzi <parisa at empowerdc.org>


*Early Childhood Education/Child Care Organizer*

Organization Name: Empower DC
Website: _www.empowerdc.org_
Location: 1419 V St, NW Washington, DC 20009
Job Terms: Full Time
Salary: $30,000

Benefits: Medical and Dental coverage
Anticipated Start Date: Mon Feb 9, 2009

Duration: One year, with possibility of renewal

*Job Description*

Empower DC is seeking an Organizer to lead our grassroots advocacy 
campaign to secure quality, affordable Early Childhood Education (ECE) 
and child care for low-income families in the District of Columbia. The 
Organizer will work to expand Empower DC’s ECE and child care 
organizing, building upon the successes of the Child Care for All 
Campaign, which in 2006 won an over $20 million increase in funding, 
ending the waiting list for Child Care Vouchers. The Organizer will 
conduct outreach and recruit impacted residents to participate in 
advocacy work. The Organizer will build the leadership skills of 
participants so that they are able to engage in sustained, effective 
self-advocacy and represent the needs of low-income DC families in the 
high-level policy arenas where ECE and child care policy making occurs.

The goal of this project is to expand and improve access to quality, 
affordable and appropriate Early Childhood Education and child care for 
all low-income families, including those who have children with special 
needs, by securing support from government officials, generating policy 
change and obtaining increased funding for the Child Care Subsidy 
Program and related initiatives.

Responsibilities include:

· Develop leadership amongst impacted residents and increase 
participation in the Child Care for All Campaign

· Develop the capacity of members to serve as watch dogs, participating 
on an ongoing, regular basis in meetings, forums and committees relevant 
to ECE and child care in DC

· Create educational materials that highlight who is responsible for ECE 
and child care in DC and how people can advocate effectively for these 
services

· Conduct outreach and recruit impacted individuals to participate in 
advocacy activities

· Meet regularly with partners, allies and leaders

· Identify the individuals, agencies, commissions and other bodies 
responsible for and/or impacting Early Childhood Education and child 
care in DC

· Organize trainings and forums to educate the broader community about 
ECE and child care in DC

· Working with members and allies, develop an Early Childhood Education 
advocacy agenda

· Organize city council and city agency meetings with Empower DC Members 
to advocate on issues of importance to the campaign.

· Assist with administrative duties including maintaining contact database

· Assist with growing the membership of Empower DC

· Participate in Empower DC’s Quarterly Membership Meetings, Board 
Meetings, and other activities as necessary

· Other duties as assigned

*Qualifications*

* Minimum 2 years organizing or advocacy experience (volunteer
experience acceptable) including experience building the
leadership of community members
* Knowledge of and familiarity with the District of Columbia
* Strong interest in and commitment to community organizing and
social, economic and racial justice
* Ability to effectively communicate, both in writing and verbally,
relaying complicated information in a user-friendly manner
* Strong organizational skills, including the ability to work
independently and manage own projects
* Basic computer competency for word processing and data management
* Must have a flexible schedule to accommodate some weekend and
evening hours

Other Desired Qualities (not mandatory)

* Background in early childhood education and/or policy
* Fluency in Spanish
* Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
* Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply

*Organization Description*

Empower DC is a grassroots, membership-based organizing project. Empower 
DC’s mission is to enhance, improve and promote the self-advocacy of low 
and moderate income DC residents in order to bring about sustained 
improvements in their quality of life. Empower DC’s membership has 
identified affordable housing, early childhood education and saving 
public property as our top three current priorities. Empower DC 
currently has a staff of two, and an active Board of Directors who 
collaboratively lead the organization. The new Organizer will report 
directly to one of the Co-directors of the organization.

*How to Apply*

Please send a cover letter, résumé, and the names and contact 
information for three references to Parisa Norouzi, Co-Director at 
parisa at empowerdc.org <mailto:parisa at empowerdc.org> or by fax, 
202-234-6655, by January 26, 2009. No phone calls please.