Community Engagement Organizer

The Community Organizer will be charged with building neighborhood coalitions, coordinating meetings and collective engagement activities, canvassing, phone banking, and general administrative duties. In coordination with the Community Engagement supervisor and broader Place-Based Initiatives team, the Community Engagement Organizer will oversee the creation and execution of individualized plans for a set of neighborhoods in specified regions through the “BRIDGES” organizing model. They will be responsible for meeting goals related to collective engagement efforts and work closely with their organizer counterparts to create strategy for optimal outreach implementation and success. The ideal team member is idealistic yet practical, collaborative, maintains a positive attitude, and can adapt to changes and setbacks. This position reports directly to the Community Engagement Supervisor and is part of the broader Place-Based Initiatives Unit. All team members are responsible for identifying the best practices that could be applied across CEO and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Essential Functions
Community Engagement Organizers are responsible for working collaboratively with the Place-Based Initiatives Unit staff to identify neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia that could benefit from additional resources and supports through deep engagement and relationship building. Organizers will be expected to:

• Collaborate with staff to identify neighborhoods/areas of focus through data-driven processes.
• Initiate outreach efforts to establish a strong connection with the community.
• Conduct needs-based assessments and asset-mapping processes in conjunction with community members and leaders.
• Conduct surveys, interviews, and focus groups to understand the specific needs, concerns, and challenges of the community.
• Recruit and build partner networks with one-on-one meetings, stakeholders’ engagement, and community leaders' referrals; identify, recruit, and assist in training trusted voices in targeted communities by canvassing and conversations with community organizations.
• Work collaboratively with the community and staff to create a strategic plan for engaging areas of focus with SMART goals and clear deliverables and timelines.
• Integrate special projects and initiatives from the organization and City into the neighborhood strategic engagement and outreach plans.
• Host community meetings that align with objectives set forth in neighborhood strategic plans.
• Organize community forums, town hall meetings, or small group discussions to encourage active participation and dialogue.
• Plan and execute events that align with neighborhood strategic plans.
• Support canvassing and phone-banking teams to achieve unit-wide outreach goals.
• Work collaboratively to bring best practices from past work to new neighborhoods and areas of focus.
• Continuously engage with the community, monitor progress, and make necessary adjustments to the neighborhood strategic plan.
• Produce regular updates and reports about work products and progress.
• Provide resources, training, and support to empower community members to take ownership of their neighborhood’s strategic plan.
• Strategize with the Place-Based Initiatives Unit staff on expansion plans and new areas of focus.
• Provide administrative support for projects and initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Project Management: ability to create high level strategy and outline the steps needed to meet all objectives, strong organization skills, detail-oriented, thorough in completing tasks, and persistent in pursuit of goals.
Mission-oriented: passionate about and dedicated to alleviating the immediate impact of poverty on individuals, families and communities
Critical thinker: proven ability to work through complex problems/ tasks and the ability to prioritize and multi-task to meet deadlines.
Community connected: having strong, meaningful relationships and an active presence within a specific community. It’s more than just knowing people, it’s about being trusted, engaged, and invested in the well-being of the community as a whole.
Adaptable: ability to understand and respond quickly to changes in the environment or direction; ability to toggle between big pictures and details; able to be motivated about many kinds of tasks and projects; self-starter with the flexibility to work independently and as part of a team.
Effective communicator: strong oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, high level of emotional intelligence, and a track record of building effective relationships with diverse people.
Familiarity with electronic tools: Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite required; excellent skills in Excel and PowerPoint; experience with VAN a plus.

• Be available to work a flexible schedule
• Passion for advocacy and social change
• Work collaboratively and meet deadlines
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google docs and social media engagement and VAN preferred
• Excellent communication skills and willingness to engage diverse audience, from members of community and civic organizations, local elected officials’ staff, faith communities, to students, volunteers and the general public
• Prior experience organizing and managing volunteers is strongly preferred
• Bilingual preferred
• Must have valid driver’s license and access to a car

TO APPLY: Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and resume.
Salary Range: $50,000 - $60,000
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• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses, subways, trolleys, and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
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• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
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Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!
*The successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire
Effective May 22, 2023, vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in non-medical, non-emergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result, only employees in positions providing services that are patient-facing medical care (ex: Nurses, doctors, emergency medical personnel), must be fully vaccinated.
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For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx