Civic Engagement and Grass Roots Manager

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Civic Engagement Manager will lead the implementation of Houston Food Bank’s (HFB) efforts to enhance civic participation among the communities it serves. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a robust civic engagement strategy that educates and mobilizes individuals to participate in elections and engage their government officials and communities. The Civic Engagement Manager will design outreach and advocacy campaigns, working closely with internal teams, volunteers, community members, and external HFB partners to strategically grow this work throughout HFB’s service area.

Adhere to PACT values. (Purpose: Using our strengths passionately to contribute to our mission. Accountability: Choosing to rise above one’s circumstances and demonstrating ownership to achieve results. See It. Own It. Solve It. Do It. Courage: Standing up for what’s right and acting. Transparency: Doing things openly and honestly). 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Reliable, consistent, attendance is a requirement. This position requires punctuality and dependable attendance to meet the needs of the business, including attending and taking part in meetings and presentations.
2. Designs the strategies and tactics associated with executing and scaling HFB’s civic engagement plan. 
3. Supervises the Civic Engagement Coordinator’s implementation of voter and civic engagement plans to ensure deliverables are met.
4. Manages the budget for the grant associated with civic engagement initiatives.
5. Manages relationships with HFB’s partner network and volunteers to assess capacity for civic engagement, including but not limited to voter engagement and advocacy for systems change.
6. Manages HFB’s involvement in the 2030 Census work.
7. Develops and provides training for HFB neighbors, partners, internal staff, and volunteers, alongside the Civic Engagement Coordinator.
8. Helps design and implement efforts with HFB partners, neighbors, and other stakeholders to collect insight on community needs and opportunities related to civic engagement.
9. In collaboration with the Government Relations team and Marketing and Communications Department, builds and executes social media and advocacy campaigns to raise awareness about civic engagement.
10. Assists in inputting and providing reports on civic engagement metrics utilizing Government Relations’ information management system and ensuring voter engagement metrics are reported to Houston in Action.
11. Finalizes interim and yearly written reports to Houston Endowment and helps prepare proposals for future funding.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages one (1) director report and indirectly provides guidance and/or oversight to employees and/or contractors. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Develops and maintains roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Practices performance management in support of associate development, and performs administrative duties associated with being a manager of associates. Responsibilities include interviewing, planning, assigning, and directing work, and resolving problems. Responsibilities also include sponsoring, directing, coordinating, and supporting project and process improvement teams, and participating in and/or supporting project teams sponsored by other management team members.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education/Experience:

• Education/Experience:
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university or 3-5 years of experience. 
• 1-2 years of community organizing experience
• 2-3 years of supervisory experience
• Experience with facilitation of group discussion; training community members; individual interviews that guide storytelling; and strategic planning
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

• Must have reliable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and insurance

Special Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the job holder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to work with a diverse population, including the public.
• Strong customer service skills and willingness to assist others.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to effectively communicate to and facilitate large groups.
• Able to communicate complex information clearly.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to effectively work with a diverse array of stakeholders.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Attentive to detail.
• Exceptional organizational and logistical skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify challenges and quickly devising solutions in dynamic environments.
• Able to coordinate well with other departments and personnel.
• Ability to operate a computer, copier, and other business equipment.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to plan, organize, and manage resources to execute a voter engagement plan within defined timelines and budgets.
• Public Speaking and Presentation Skills: Ability to speak confidently to large groups, lead civic engagement information sessions, and represent the Houston Food Bank in civic engagement discussions.
• Data Analysis and Outcome Evaluation: Competent in gathering, analyzing, and reporting data on voter engagement efforts to assess impact and identify areas for improvement.

COMPLIANCE:

Carries out responsibilities in accordance with HFB policies.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability needed. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. (For best performance, the jobholder in this position would be expected to show the right knowledge, skills, and abilities in the listed areas.)

COMPETENCIES:

Business Insight / Instills Trust / Drives Engagement / Optimizes Work Processes / Directs Work / Composure / Manages Ambiguity / Communicates Effectively / Organizational Savvy / Decision Quality / Manages Conflict / Presentation Skills

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of the job, the employee is required daily to analyze and interpret data, communicate, and remain in a standing or stationary position for a significant amount of the workday; and often access, input, and retrieve information from the computer and other office productivity devices. The employee must regularly move about the facility, use hands, wrists, and fingers to grip, type, and write. The employee must be able to occasionally lift 15 pounds. The employee will need to have the average ability to hear horns, warnings, and alerts associated with a warehouse.  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While the job is generally performed in an office environment, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, strong food-related smells, and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the office environment is typically quiet, but the employee will be occasionally exposed to loud noise levels (e.g., horns, fans).

TRAVEL REQUIRED:

Travel is required for this position, including up to 30% of the time within the 18-county service area.

This role supports hours of operations at the Houston Food Bank facilities, as necessary, and may require flexibility (e.g., times of disaster, community events, company events).

*Is legally able to work in the United States.