Community Engagement Organizer

Agency Description

The Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity (CEO) provides leadership on issues of economic justice by advancing racial equity and inclusive growth to ensure that all Philadelphians share in the city’s prosperous future and by alleviating the immediate impact of poverty on individuals, families and communities. CEO is Philadelphia’s Community Action Agency (CAA); CAAs are private or public agencies created by the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act and federally designated to receive Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funding.

Guiding Principles

• The people of Philadelphia deserve the opportunity to live happy, healthy, full lives.
• City Government should both recognize its culpability in creating and sustaining inequity and aspire to its responsibility to provide opportunities, represent the best interests, and promote the well‑being of all residents.
• People can offer meaningful insights into both personal experiences and how systems around them function.
• Poverty is a deliberately created systemic issue and city government can lead in calling for justice and dismantling the barriers that often prevent opportunities.

Values

• Dignity – We actively respect our individual colleagues and people in the community.
• Inclusivity – Our work is more beneficial, valuable, and valid when our full range of experiences, knowledge, and skills can contribute.
• Persistence – We recognize the challenges inherent in this work, and when we get discouraged, we find ways to be resilient, lift each other up, and push forward.
• Accountability – We are transparent and honest about our plans, our actions, and our results.
• Honesty – We create a space to have healthy, honest dialogues about systems, people, and misconceptions and then communicate truthfully.

Position Summary

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 the 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. The role is responsible for meeting goals related to collective engagement efforts and works closely with organizer counterparts to create strategy for optimal outreach implementation and success. This position reports directly to the Community Engagement Supervisor and is part of the Place‑Based Initiatives Unit.

Essential Functions

• Collaborate with staff to identify neighborhoods/areas of focus through data‑driven processes.
• Initiate outreach efforts to establish strong connections with the community.
• Conduct needs‑based assessments and asset‑mapping processes with community members and leaders.
• Conduct surveys, interviews, and focus groups to understand community needs, concerns, and challenges.
• Recruit and build partner networks through one‑on‑one meetings, stakeholder engagement, and referrals; identify, recruit, and assist in training trusted voices in targeted communities.
• Create strategic plans for engaging focus areas with SMART goals, clear deliverables, and timelines.
• Integrate special projects and initiatives from the organization and City into neighborhood strategic engagement and outreach plans.
• Host community meetings, forums, town halls, or small‑group discussions aligned with strategic plan objectives.
• Plan and execute events that align with neighborhood strategic plans.
• Support canvassing and phone‑banking teams to achieve unit‑wide outreach goals.
• Share best practices from past work with new neighborhoods and areas of focus.
• Continuously engage with the community, monitor progress, and adjust strategic plans as needed.
• Produce regular updates and reports on work products and progress.
• Provide resources, training, and support to empower community members to own their neighborhood’s strategic plan.
• Strategize with Place‑Based Initiatives 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, outline steps to meet objectives, strong organization, detail‑oriented, persistent.
• Mission‑oriented – passionate about alleviating the immediate impact of poverty on individuals, families, and communities.
• Critical thinker – proven ability to work through complex problems, prioritize, and multitask to meet deadlines.
• Community connected – strong, meaningful relationships and an active presence within a specific community; trusted and invested in community well‑being.
• Adaptable – quick to respond to changes, toggle between big picture and details, self‑starter, flexible working independently or in a team.
• Effective communicator – strong oral and written communication, interpersonal skills, high emotional intelligence, track record of building effective relationships with diverse people.
• Familiarity with electronic tools – fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint), experience with VAN a plus.

Qualifications

• Available to work a flexible schedule.
• Passion for advocacy and social change.
• Ability to work collaboratively and meet deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Google Docs, and social media engagement; VAN preferred.
• Excellent communication skills and willingness to engage diverse audiences, including community members, civic organizations, elected officials’ staff, faith communities, students, volunteers, and the general public.
• Prior experience organizing and managing volunteers (strongly preferred).
• Bilingual preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and access to a car.
• Must be a City of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire.

Pay

Salary Range: $50,000 – $60,000

Benefits

• Unlimited free public transportation year‑round through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program (buses, subways, trolleys, regional rail).
• Eight weeks of paid parental leave.
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and eligible dependents.
• Wellness program with eligibility for discounted medical plans.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options.
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• Tuition discounts and scholarships (10%–40% savings) at partnered colleges and universities for employees, and in some cases spouses and dependents.