Associate Director, Community Organizing

At Rocketship Public Schools, we believe in the infinite possibility of human potential. We believe that every student deserves the right to dream, to discover, and to develop their unique potential. It is our responsibility and privilege to unleash the potential inside every Rocketeer we serve. Our non-profit network of public elementary charter schools propels student achievement, develops exceptional educators, and partners with parents who enable high-quality public schools to thrive in their community.

About the Role

In our Parent Organizing Committees (POCs), parents advocate tirelessly for their children by becoming community leaders in education equity. The position involves working with current parent leaders to develop their knowledge of governance, power, political dynamics, and systematic barriers affecting their families, especially for underserved communities. Simultaneously, the organizer will recruit and train new parents in community organizing skills, drawing them into the movement and increasing parent voice, involvement, and presence in the education political landscape of Milwaukee and Wisconsin as a whole.

The Wisconsin Associate Director of Community Organizing is a full-time, exempt position on the Rocketship Wisconsin Regional Leadership Team. The selected candidate will collaborate with other Community Organizing leaders across Rocketship regions, report to the Rocketship Wisconsin Director of External Engagement, and align with the strategy set by the Executive Director. This role includes partnering effectively with school leaders, families, community organizations, and stakeholders in advocacy for educational equity at our Rocketship Wisconsin schools.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, mobilize, and retain a network of parents and community stakeholders that build advocacy and engagement to transform local communities.
• Build the capacity of parents & families to understand the state and local educational landscape, key decision makers, and the power of community, through the PICO Organizing Cycle.
• Complete one-on-one relational meetings every week (approximately 15-20) with current and future parent leaders and other important stakeholders to build organizing capacity and engagement.
• Serve as a strategic partner in external affairs with the Executive Director, remain informed on the local education political landscape, and develop coordinated grasstops-grassroots strategies.
• Foster relationships and develop champions with community-based organizations, faith leaders, elected officials, and civic and community leaders to elevate parent organizing.
• Lead parent-organizing campaigns for the growth and expansion of schools in Wisconsin, as well as parent-led civic and local campaigns for education equity.
• Eventually, hire, train, and support the development of a team of Education Organizers.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in community organizing, education reform, or engagement in grassroots movements.
• Daily travel between school sites and community locations where events and meetings with parents are held; valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle required.
• Ability to position Rocketship in the policy arena as an agent for positive change through strong communication and strategic skills.
• Demonstrated ability to interact and cultivate support among diverse stakeholders.
• Experience using Google Apps and a willingness to learn and implement new technology.
• A growth-mindset, self-directed, and goal-oriented professional approach to organizing work.
• A sense of urgency and passion for social justice and educational equity.
• Ability to work some nights and weekends, as campaigns require; option for 1-2 days working from home for administrative purposes.
• Commitment to building strong, trust-based relationships through candid feedback, mutual respect, and a deep appreciation for diverse perspectives and experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Verbal and written fluency in both Spanish and English.
• Experience managing and/or leading community organizing campaigns and mobilizing support.
• Experience working with organizations or schools in a diverse community.
• Familiarity with local and/or state politics, education politics, and movements.
• Strong public speaking, writing, and analytical skills.
• Capacity to think strategically and critically about social, economic, cultural, and political issues affecting a community.
• Master’s Degree (preferred but not required).

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Regularly required to talk, hear, and communicate with both adults and children.
• Frequently required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and climb ladders.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is moderate to high.

Pay

$90,000 - $105,000 a year

Benefits

• Excellent health and wellness benefits.
• 403b retirement plan.
• Flexible spending account (FSA).
• Generous paid time off.