Associate Director, Community Organizing

Position Description

At Rocketship, one of our key pillars is building authentic parent power in our community. 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 work to 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 Rocketship Wisconsin Regional Leadership Team. The person selected for this position will collaborate with other Community Organizing leaders across the other Rocketship regions.

This role will report to the Rocketship Wisconsin Director of External Engagement, collaborate with fellow organizers nationally, and align and partner on the strategy set by the Executive Director. The role will also include partnering effectively with school leaders, families, community organizations, and stakeholders in advocacy for educational equity at our Rocketship Wisconsin schools.

Essential Functions

• Recruit, mobilize, and retain a network of parents and community stakeholders that build advocacy and engagement to transform our local communities.
• Build the capacity of parents & families to understand the state and local educational landscape, key decision makers, and 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 that 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 that lead to elevating parent organizing.
• Lead parent-organizing campaigns for the growth and expansion of schools in WI, 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 3+ year experience in community organizing, education reform, or engagement in grassroots movements
• This position requires daily travel between school sites and community locations where events and meetings with parents are held. Valid Driver’s license and access to vehicle required.
• The 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
• A 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
• Familiar with local and/or state politics, education politics & movements
• Strong public speaking, writing, and analytical skills
• Capacity to think strategically and critically about social, economic, cultural, and political issues affecting a community
• Masters Degree, preferred but not required