Open Position: Seasonal Field Director (Boston, MA; Charlotte, NC; Columbus, OH; Denver, CO; Richmond, CA)

[Darlene Perry O'Neill]

DATES: Spring 2016-Fall 2016

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Students for Education Reform Action Network (SFER AN)’s summer fellowship is an 12-week program for college students to directly engage in grassroots advocacy. Through the course of 12 weeks, fellows learn campaign and organizing skills, project management, and professional skills and apply this to electing local officials and/or organizing in their community and campus to garner support for educational equity. 

We seek talented field directors to manage one of multiple organizing fellowship sites this summer. Candidates must be skilled trainers, coaches, and mentors and be excited to train and support Organizing Fellows to lead their own field office. 

Students for Education Reform Action Network (SFER AN) is a 501(c)4 nonprofit partner of Students for Education Reform. SFER AN trains and organizes undergraduate students to engage in direct, grassroots, and political advocacy of undergraduates in order to close the academic opportunity gap in our K-12 system.

Why work for SFER AN? While the work is hard, we approach it with the audacity of believing that students have the power to change the education system and the humility to know it takes time and that thousands have come before us in this fight. We work with urgency, passion, and — most importantly — a lot of joy. We are looking for talented, passionate individuals to join our team and work with us to continue the fight for educational equality.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Field Director manages all aspects of the program in a given site, including directing a robust voter contact program, delivering ongoing organizer training and managing fellows. They are culture warriors who ensure a positive experience for all Organizing Fellows. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, management of Lead Organizer and fellows, close daily contact with multiple members of the SFER AN National team, management of day to day operations, analysis and of data output and reporting and flawless execution of tasks and areas of ownership that may be assigned with short notice.

Daily Responsibilities:

• Design, organize and deliver a community organizing and canvassing training program, metrics and manage its execution
  
• Partner with SFER AN National staff to provide meaningful projects and experiences for Organizing Fellows.
  
• Work with the SFER AN National Field Specialist and local strategists to design and/or implement an effective voter contact strategy.
  
• Direct a robust voter outreach program and effectively execute the associated managerial tasks (setting goals, analyzing data, managing staff, nightly reports , sharing out information with Organizing Fellows, etc.) and supporting Organizing Fellows to take ownership of these tasks over time.
  
• Serve as a local leader for SFER AN and manage community partnerships. 
  
• Participate in all-staff calls with other sites to review progress, celebrate accomplishments, and address areas for improvement.
  
• Weekly check-ins with support team, as well as SFER AN Field Specialist
  
• Supervision of Organizing Fellows’ work-life balance, including helping to plan and run “mandatory fun time” activities and addressing issues (programmatic and personal) as they arise. 
  

QUALIFICATIONS

The candidate must believe in the vision, principles, and core values of SFER AN and be driven by our mission of achieving educational equity for every child, regardless of race or background. A successful candidate will demonstrate passion and skills for playing a mission-critical support role in a national grassroots movement.

• Passion for and demonstrated experience working with college students of all backgrounds and experience levels. Teaching or training experience required.
  
• Ability to create and sustain a strong, positive office working culture for all involved that reflects the core values of SFER AN.
  
• Two cycles of Campaign experience preferred, some organizing experience required
  
• Non-profit project management experience a plus.
  
• Working knowledge of voter databases required 
  
• Experience in an education policy or other issue advocacy environment a plus
  
• Ability to manage field office and gradually coach Organizing Fellows how to take ownership of their own field office
  
• Self-motivation and willingness to work long hours.
  
• Ability to successfully communicate with diverse communities and leaders.
  
• Strong interpersonal skills, experience meeting deadlines, and multitasking ability.
  

VALUES

• Growth. We give and get a high volume of feedback and work relentlessly to improve.
  
• Voice. We exist to empower our members and create a powerful voice for students in the policy sphere.
  
• Tenacity. We set big goals, persist in the face of challenges, and commit to excellence.
  
• Audacity & Humility. We are willing to take risks, think big, and work hard to bring about transformational change, even while acting and listening with humility, respect, and empathy.
  
• Dignity. We commit to social justice work because we believe in the fundamental value of every child and person.
  
• Collaborative Leadership. Empowering others is the hallmark of transformational leadership. We emphasize both personal growth and shared responsibility while investing in our greatest resource: our people.
  

COMPENSATION

Salary is competitive and based on experience.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

Students for Education Reform Action Network seeks individuals of all ethnic and racial backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and recruiting a team that reflects our student movement. 

HOW TO APPLY

E-mail jo...@studentsforedreform.org with a résumé and a cover letter explaining where you found the job listing and why you are an ideal candidate for this position, subject line “SFER AN Field Director”. Include two professional references from individuals who can attest to your strengths and growth areas, and one reference who you’ve worked with in a managerial or coaching role (preferably when that person was a college student).