Voter Engagement Manager

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt (Salary)

LOCATION:

Ingham County (East Lansing) and 

Southwest Michigan Counties - Kent (Grand Rapids), Kalamazoo, Alleghan, Berrien.

HIRING RANGE:

$50,000 - $60,000 annually.

About the Civic Empowerment Coalition: The Civic Empowerment Coalition (CEC) is a nonprofit 501(c)(4) established by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta in 1983 (under a different name) for the purposes of civically engaging farm worker and Latinx communities. The CEC is a sister organization of the United Farm Workers of America 501(c)(5), the nation’s largest farm worker labor union, and the UFW Foundation 501(c)(3). The CEC is committed to advance equity for farm workers and their families. Therefore, the organization is launching the “Farm Workers in Action” Campaign. This campaign seeks to raise awareness about the urgency of the moment in our democracy to ensure that community members who live and work in rural communities and those who support farm workers vote and engage. The CEC is active on-the-ground in Michigan, Arizona, Georgia and California.

OUR WHY: We believe that ordinary people can do extraordinary things. We lift up the voices of farm workers and rural Latinos. Rural organizing and advocacy are at the heart of what the Civic Empowerment Coalition does. We recognize that our efforts in public spaces—in raising awareness, educating farm workers, the public and policy makers—all promise greater impact on greater numbers of people and help create more just and equitable policies and practices. The more that farm workers are able to thrive by gaining legal status, better wages and worker protections and a deeper understanding of the importance of their engagement, the greater the social and economic resilience of rural communities and our food system. Help us motivate the Latino community to engage civically during this critical election year.  

SUMMARY: The State Voter Engagement Manager is in charge of developing and implementing robust voter engagement programs, and supervising day-to-day field operation staff. Supervising a team of regional Voter Engagement Coordinators and Voter Engagement Canvassers, these teams will oversee farm workers, children of farm workers and community members that will canvass Latino neighborhoods for the purposes of increasing voter turnout. This position is responsible for leading the states voter engagement activities and managing state staff whom will lead canvassing activities, civic engagement workshops, events/town halls and integrative voter engagement activities for the purposing of increasing voter turnout. The State Voter Engagement Manger is also responsible for maintaining key partnerships with local leaders, community members, civic leaders, and grassroots organizations. The State Voter Engagement Manger is responsible for recording and reporting activities and ensuring that metrics are being met to reach state goals. Functions include strategic planning, data management, electoral training, and cross-departmental collaboration.  The State Voter Engagement Manger reports to the Campaign Manager. 

This position may work closely with the Campaign Manager, Voter Engagement Coordinators, farm worker movement organizations, and other grassroots organizations to maximize the Civic Empowerment Coalition’s (CEC) presence and impact in moving our progressive governing agenda at the national and state levels.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  (This is not an exhaustive list)

• Develop field operation strategy, planning timelines and work plans for voter registration, and voter mobilization activities.
• Design evidence-based field training curriculum using latest research that builds knowledge of movement politics, voting and elections, and voter engagement best practices.
• Recruit, hire, train and manage a team of skilled field coordinators and canvassers to meet program goals. You will supervise and manage the entire state staff.
• Manage daily field operation activities, assist field coordinators and canvassers with canvass launches, ensure that the field team has adequate canvassing equipment and supplies and review programs’ progress with them during canvass debriefs.
• Coordinate structured field events, including candidate, member engagement and general volunteer events that focus on voter outreach and political leadership development; Lead volunteer recruitment efforts for all planned events.
• Assist with the leadership development pipeline program that builds on political leadership, program development, and voter engagement skills.
• Represent the organization at state table meetings.
• Manage all program platforms, including America Votes VAN, Empower for calls and text, and maintain high-quality data integrity.
• Evaluate effectiveness all field operations work at the end of each campaign.
• Prepare reports, presentations and other print and electronic products, using both qualitative and quantitative data, to highlight clear and useful results/findings.
• Think creatively about ways to improve further their specific job and the organization.
• Document community-led activities and narratives for social media channels.
• Increase and engage Latino voter turnout through Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) strategies.
• Lead planning of civic engagement events including election night parties, candidate forums, town halls, press events.
• Meet all campaign goals and metrics to the extent possible.
• Must be able to travel regularly within Latino communities in assigned counties.
• Must be able to work weekends and afternoons.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supervise up to 4 Voter Engagement Coordinators and up to 25 Voter Engagement Canvassers.
• May supervise interns and/or volunteers.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

The ideal candidate for this position must have a high level of professionalism and organization. The candidate must demonstrate competency in the following areas:

• Ability to work well with diverse groups, under challenging deadlines.
• Able to work a flexible schedule, with weekday evening and weekend hours as needed.
• Computer literacy: word-processing, Excel charts, and other work-related applications.
• Dedication to Mission. A genuine interest in immigrant and farm worker rights.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both Spanish and English.
• Experience with/leading voter engagement and/or community outreach.
• Must have reliable transportation and valid Driver’s License and vehicle insurance. Mileage reimbursement is available.
• Outgoing and comfortable with talking to the public.
• Punctual, well organized, self-motivated, energetic, and motivated to work independently.
• Si Se Puede ® (It Can Be Done) Attitude. The embodiment of a personal spirit that promotes confidence, courage and risk-taking.
• Strong organization, oral/written, interpersonal, communication skills: ability to manage time, meet deadlines, work well independently and in a team-oriented setting, and set priorities in an adaptive, fast-paced and responsive environment.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. This position requires bilingual and/or bi-literate ability (English/Spanish).
• MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• REASONING ABILITY: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to solve practical problems. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS: 

• None.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s Degree or commensurate experience.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

•  Must have reliable transportation and valid Driver’s License and vehicle insurance. Fuel reimbursement is available.
• Must be proficient with MS office applications (Word, Excel, E-mail and Internet).

COMPENSATION: 

The annual salary pay range for this position is $50,000.00 to $60,000.00.

ADDITIONAL AND/OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS:

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement – The Civic Empowerment Coalition is committed to ensuring the health and safety of our community, employees, and program participants. While vaccinations and boosters are not currently mandatory, we strongly recommend their use as a crucial measure in reducing the transmission of COVID-19. It is imperative to emphasize that if a pandemic situation arises that necessitates vaccines and/or boosters, we will reinstate this requirement to protect everyone effectively. Vaccinations have proven to be effective in preventing the spread of the virus and reducing severe illness. By choosing to get vaccinated, individuals contribute to the collective effort in mitigating the impact of the pandemic and creating a safer environment for all. We will continually monitor the evolving situation and follow the guidance of health authorities. 

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 job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is extensively required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

The Civic Empowerment Coalition (CEC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe a strong commitment to equal employment opportunity is more than a legal and moral obligation – it is also a sound business practice to realize the potential of every individual. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all! In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunity to all individuals, employment decisions at the  Civic Empowerment Coalition (CEC) will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Except where required or permitted by law, employment practices will not be influenced or affected by an applicant’s or employee’s race, color, religion, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, age, or any characteristic protected by law. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply for a position fighting for farm worker and immigrant communities! The Civic Empowerment Coalition (CEC) believes in second chances. As an organization, we will rely on individualized assessments in the hiring of those with past criminal convictions.

 The Civic Empowerment Coalition (CEC) will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with qualified disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Persons of color, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, persons with disabilities, persons who have lived in poverty, formerly incarcerated, persons 40 years old or older, and people fluent in more than one language are strongly encouraged to apply for open positions with the Civic Empowerment Coalition (CEC). 

This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, counseling, discipline, termination, access to benefits and training. Our commitment to equal opportunity employment applies to all persons involved in our operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee, including supervisors and co-workers.

Anticipated end date: 11/8/2024