Teach for America, Director of Election Initiative - DC

Written by: Tom Hughes on Feb 9, 2006 9:10 AM EST

Linked to groups: DFA Job Board

Location
Flexible

Summary
Through teaching and leadership experiences in our nations most under-resourced classrooms and districts, Teach For America alumni develop an insider's perspective on society's most pressing challenges. This experience uniquely positions alumni to serve as thoughtful decision-makers on school boards, in local government, and at all levels of elected office. As our alumni force swells to over 20,000 in 2010, Teach For America will ensure that 100 alumni serve as elected officials. The director of election initiative develops and implements strategies to ensure that 100 alumni are serving as elected officials in 2010 and as advocates in the education reform movement. The director of election initiative reports directly to the vice president of alumni affairs.

Responsibilities
Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:


Creating a culture of advocacy among the corps and alumni, so that both groups believe in the importance of alumni advocating for systemic change, and are comfortable with increased participation in elected politics

Building the culture into the existing programmatic structures, including recruitment messages, teacher preparation, and ongoing support activities

Marketing the culture broadly, such as through the journal, summits, alumni meetings, and corps member and alumni e-mails

Engaging both regional and national staff and board members in supporting and contributing to culture-building activities

Identifying viable candidates among the corps members and alumni with potential capacity for and interest in running for office, and encouraging them to do so in the next three to four years

Organizing events to build on the interests of alumni, and moving them toward substantial involvement in elections and politics (for example, this might include campaign/organization training camps, networking events for interested alumni, mixers with young elected officials, and providing mentors who are/have been elected officials)

Developing a system of supports to increase the likelihood that alumni candidates can win elections, and determining appropriate ways for candidates to leverage the support of the Teach For America alumni network (which includes alumni, corps members, board members, and other supporters)

Creating opportunities for alumni who are interested in elections - but are not interested in running for office - to learn about advocacy and political opportunities

During the implementation of all activities and messages, the director will maintain Teach For America's position as non-partisan, and will not be directly involved in the support of individual candidates.



Additional Qualifications:

Campaign management experience

Five years related experience in elections, organizing, or advocacy

Exceptional communication and management skills

Proven ability to develop and leverage relationships and to inspire groups to action

Commitment to nonpartisan process

Willingness to travel, approximately two to three overnight trips per month


How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted online through our website only. We review applications on a rolling basis as they are received.

Please visit Link for more information or to apply.

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