Oakland Community and family organizer
Job Description.
WHO WE ARE
Our mission is to transform the lives of students - especially those who will be the first in their family to attend college - by preparing them for success in college, career, and life.
At Envision Education, we believe the current achievement gap reflects a systemic failure to understand how kids learn, what motivates them to learn, and what they need in order to learn well. We know that vibrant learning communities apply compassion and high expectations to inspire and empower students. With a population that is 75% first-generation college-bound, our approach is specifically designed to increase student engagement, deepen integration and understanding, promote active learning, and ensure college success compared to national averages of 60% and 70% respectively for those two important indicators.
Envision Education is a national model for using Performance Assessment to prepare students for success in college and in life. Envision Education operates three small high schools and one middle school. Graduates go on to succeed in college at significantly higher rates than their peers: 99% attend college and 90% persist once they get there.
Envision also operates Envision Learning Partners, a consultancy division that takes Envision's innovative practices of performance assessment to schools and leaders throughout the country.
OUR APPROACH
Our educators create project-based assignments and leverage technology in order to challenge students to think critically, solve problems resourcefully, and collaborate productively. Students have an opportunity to use these skills and show what they know through portfolio defenses. Envision students graduate by presenting a comprehensive defense of their high school education, demonstrating their readiness for college and career. Similar to a master's thesis defense, these presentations are required to graduate and are invaluable in preparing for life after high school. They practice for these defenses through regular exhibitions and in-class presentations. Read about our approach here: http://www.envisionschools.org/our-approach/
POSITION SUMMARY
Envision Academy, a high-performing charter high school in downtown Oakland that is part of the Envision network of schools, is planning to expand to include a Middle School (grades 6-8) in the fall of 2019. The Oakland Community Organizer will recruit, train and empower Oakland families and community members to be leaders in supporting Envision's growth. The Organizer will transform general community interest into action to create a groundswell of community support for growth and enrollment in the Middle School. This position will report to either the Director of Growth or Chief People Officer and will collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders inside and outside of Envision.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The ideal candidate will be a skilled community organizer with an understanding of education reform and the ability to build strong positive relationships and empower community members to lead.
Community Outreach and Community Building
Develop and manage relationships with a broad base of constituents from targeted neighborhoods (including community-based organizations, faith-based institutions, public officials, local government agencies, social service agencies, teachers and school leaders), and build their support for Envision Academy's growth
Identify, train, and develop families and other community members as leaders to advocate for Envision's growth; develop and lead trainings to grow parents in their advocacy, organizing and leadership skills
Conduct one-to-one visits with parents and community members every week
Execute listening campaigns with families from Oakland to understand their hopes for education
Build community amongst parents across racial, ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic lines
Plan and execute community building and parent education events that serve the community while raising awareness of Envision's mission and vision in the Oakland community
Be passionate about mobilizing the parent community to take positive, purposeful action to improve the lives of children, youth, and families in Oakland
Manage and maintain a timely and comprehensive database of current and potential families and community members who can be called on for advocacy
Education Politics
Mobilize families to lead or attend large public forums in support of Envision's growth in Oakland
Prepare families to hold meetings with public officials, including local school board members
Attend all Oakland Unified School District and Alameda County Office of Education board meetings to stay up to date with education policies in Oakland
Learn and understand the latest changes in education policies and both State and Citywide political issues
Advocate for the best interests of the Envision community on Oakland issues
Our mission is to transform the lives of students - especially those who will be the first in their family to attend college - by preparing them for success in college, career, and life.
At Envision Education, we believe the current achievement gap reflects a systemic failure to understand how kids learn, what motivates them to learn, and what they need in order to learn well. We know that vibrant learning communities apply compassion and high expectations to inspire and empower students. With a population that is 75% first-generation college-bound, our approach is specifically designed to increase student engagement, deepen integration and understanding, promote active learning, and ensure college success compared to national averages of 60% and 70% respectively for those two important indicators.
Envision Education is a national model for using Performance Assessment to prepare students for success in college and in life. Envision Education operates three small high schools and one middle school. Graduates go on to succeed in college at significantly higher rates than their peers: 99% attend college and 90% persist once they get there.
Envision also operates Envision Learning Partners, a consultancy division that takes Envision's innovative practices of performance assessment to schools and leaders throughout the country.
OUR APPROACH
Our educators create project-based assignments and leverage technology in order to challenge students to think critically, solve problems resourcefully, and collaborate productively. Students have an opportunity to use these skills and show what they know through portfolio defenses. Envision students graduate by presenting a comprehensive defense of their high school education, demonstrating their readiness for college and career. Similar to a master's thesis defense, these presentations are required to graduate and are invaluable in preparing for life after high school. They practice for these defenses through regular exhibitions and in-class presentations. Read about our approach here: http://www.envisionschools.org/our-approach/
POSITION SUMMARY
Envision Academy, a high-performing charter high school in downtown Oakland that is part of the Envision network of schools, is planning to expand to include a Middle School (grades 6-8) in the fall of 2019. The Oakland Community Organizer will recruit, train and empower Oakland families and community members to be leaders in supporting Envision's growth. The Organizer will transform general community interest into action to create a groundswell of community support for growth and enrollment in the Middle School. This position will report to either the Director of Growth or Chief People Officer and will collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders inside and outside of Envision.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The ideal candidate will be a skilled community organizer with an understanding of education reform and the ability to build strong positive relationships and empower community members to lead.
Community Outreach and Community Building
Develop and manage relationships with a broad base of constituents from targeted neighborhoods (including community-based organizations, faith-based institutions, public officials, local government agencies, social service agencies, teachers and school leaders), and build their support for Envision Academy's growth
Identify, train, and develop families and other community members as leaders to advocate for Envision's growth; develop and lead trainings to grow parents in their advocacy, organizing and leadership skills
Conduct one-to-one visits with parents and community members every week
Execute listening campaigns with families from Oakland to understand their hopes for education
Build community amongst parents across racial, ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic lines
Plan and execute community building and parent education events that serve the community while raising awareness of Envision's mission and vision in the Oakland community
Be passionate about mobilizing the parent community to take positive, purposeful action to improve the lives of children, youth, and families in Oakland
Manage and maintain a timely and comprehensive database of current and potential families and community members who can be called on for advocacy
Education Politics
Mobilize families to lead or attend large public forums in support of Envision's growth in Oakland
Prepare families to hold meetings with public officials, including local school board members
Attend all Oakland Unified School District and Alameda County Office of Education board meetings to stay up to date with education policies in Oakland
Learn and understand the latest changes in education policies and both State and Citywide political issues
Advocate for the best interests of the Envision community on Oakland issues
Required Qualifications.
The Community and Family Organizer will:
Have strong interpersonal skills that allow them to build strong relationships quickly with diverse stakeholders and communities
Develop leadership in others and motivate them to action
Communicate strongly - both written and orally - and collaborate, take initiative, and lead
Understand schools and/or youth and families, from past work or volunteer experience
Take initiative and high levels of ownership for outcomes, plan strategically, manage multiple, simultaneous work efforts, and prioritize and work independently to consistently meet deadlines
Be deeply committed to social, racial and educational justice and equity
Leverage their deep familiarity with and connection to Oakland, including knowledge of issues facing Oakland communities; ideally native to Oakland - if not, having lived in Oakland for 4+ years
Believe in Envision Education's philosophy that all students, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, family background, or past academic performance, can succeed academically
Utilize Microsoft Word, Excel and Google applications, and learn new technologies as needed
Be willing to work flexible hours including weeknights and occasional weekends; be able to travel and work remotely
Have a valid driver's license and reliable, insured vehicle (needed to fulfill job requirements)
The Community and Family Organizer will also ideally:
Speak with families and community members in both English and Spanish
Leverage their knowledge of charter schools and the educational landscape in Oakland
Leverage their prior experience in community, labor, or political organizing
Use multiple modes of effective communication, including social and online media tools
Build upon 3-5 years of relevant work, volunteer or other experience
Have strong interpersonal skills that allow them to build strong relationships quickly with diverse stakeholders and communities
Develop leadership in others and motivate them to action
Communicate strongly - both written and orally - and collaborate, take initiative, and lead
Understand schools and/or youth and families, from past work or volunteer experience
Take initiative and high levels of ownership for outcomes, plan strategically, manage multiple, simultaneous work efforts, and prioritize and work independently to consistently meet deadlines
Be deeply committed to social, racial and educational justice and equity
Leverage their deep familiarity with and connection to Oakland, including knowledge of issues facing Oakland communities; ideally native to Oakland - if not, having lived in Oakland for 4+ years
Believe in Envision Education's philosophy that all students, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, family background, or past academic performance, can succeed academically
Utilize Microsoft Word, Excel and Google applications, and learn new technologies as needed
Be willing to work flexible hours including weeknights and occasional weekends; be able to travel and work remotely
Have a valid driver's license and reliable, insured vehicle (needed to fulfill job requirements)
The Community and Family Organizer will also ideally:
Speak with families and community members in both English and Spanish
Leverage their knowledge of charter schools and the educational landscape in Oakland
Leverage their prior experience in community, labor, or political organizing
Use multiple modes of effective communication, including social and online media tools
Build upon 3-5 years of relevant work, volunteer or other experience
Preferred Qualifications.
Application Process.
Apply Here
| Company Details | |
|---|---|
| Company: | Envision Education |
| Department: | Organizer |
| Party Affiliation: | Non Partisan |
| Link: | http://www.envisionschools.org/ |
