The Texas Public Charter Schools Association is the voice of public charter schools in Texas. Its mission is to support and advocate for a policy and regulatory climate that ensures every student in Texas has access to ever-improving public school options. We work closely with our sister organization, Charter Schools Now.
Charter Schools Now (CSN) is the advocacy arm of the public charter school community in Texas. Its mission is to support and advocate for public charter schools to ensure every family has the ability to choose a high-quality public school.
A. Job Summary
The Director of Regional Advocacy is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with the public charter schools in their region. They collaborate with charter schools to develop connections to policymakers and build support for high-quality public charter schools. The position will be part of the regional engagement team. This position, while remote, is based on the Houston area.
B. Essential Job Functions
Increase engagement in advocacy and policy by charter schools
Serve as the primary point of contact for school leaders in the region.
Build relationships with school advocacy leads to encourage greater participation in advocacy.
Track and follow school events through social media, newsletters, email blasts to support policymaker connections with schools.
Help school advocacy leads activate their parents, teachers, and alumni for policymaker engagements.
Present to charter school board members about the importance of advocacy, TPCSA's work on behalf of charter schools, and the current political climate for charter schools.
Ensure these contacts are activated when needed in support of or opposition to policy proposals that impact charter schools.
Collaborate with the Regional Team on assigned projects and initiatives.
Work across teams to ensure these activists are incorporated into TPCSA's database and that other teams are able to capture and tell their stories in other contexts and mediums (reports, newsletters, videos, etc.).
C. Expectations
This individual will be instrumental in advancing TPCSA's ambitious goal of having more public charter schools engage in advocacy. The successful candidate will be an extremely organized and detail-oriented professional looking for an opportunity to thrive in a position where he or she will be given space to contribute meaningfully to a team.
This is a full-time, exempt position. Employees are generally expected to work a 40-hour work week, with an understanding that occasionally there will be times when 50 or more hours a week may be required in order to complete projects.
This position requires occasional travel, primarily within the state of Texas. Given this role's focus on school-to-lawmaker relationships, success will include frequent in-person visits, attendance at community and school events, and other opportunities to make personal connections.
D. Qualifications
Candidate must have a can-do, yes-and attitude and a dedication to the mission of supporting high-quality public school options for all kids.
Candidate should embody TPCSA's core values: Optimism. Drive. Hustle. Excellence.
Candidate should be a self-starter who thrives in a fast-paced, rapidly-changing environment.
Candidate must possess a strong internal commitment to excellence and deadline-meeting, and a proven ability to take initiative and ownership over a project.
Candidate must be flexible, with the ability to pivot and adapt to change as necessary.
Candidate should have high standards for his or her own work, and should be accountable to meeting mutually agreed-upon targets and deadlines.
Candidate should have strong verbal and written communications skills and a commitment to excellence.
Candidate should have experience in grassroots activism, preferably building and leading grassroots efforts.
Candidate should have the ability to think critically and problem solve with little input.
Desire to travel across the region to engage with stakeholders.
Knowledge of charter schools and the charter movement desired, but not required.
E. Education
Bachelor's degree.
At least 3 years of previous experience leading or specializing in advocacy work (ideally with strong experience in Texas regional and/or state level politics).
At least 5+ years of professional experience.
F. Benefits
Competitive Salary at $75,000/year
Health Insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance
Paid holidays and PTO
Matching Plan for 401(k) contributions
For more info about our team culture and our employee benefits, please visit: https://txcharterschools.org/careers/
G. Instructions for Application
Qualified candidates should submit the following application materials in one PDF document:
Resume describing your relevant experience and education
Cover letter expressing your interest in this job and detailing how you embody TPCSA's core values of optimism, drive, hustle, and excellence
The PDF should be emailed to rbedell@txcharterschools.org
H. Disclaimer
This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Nor is it an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform, and the employee may be required to perform additional functions. TPCSA reserves the exclusive right to revise the job description at any time without notice. Employment with TPCSA is at-will. An at-will employment relationship can be terminated at any time with or without reason or notice by either the employer or employee. This at-will relationship exists regardless of any statements made to the contrary. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily, with or without accommodations. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.