IDRA is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to achieve equal educational opportunity through strong public schools that prepare all students to access and succeed in college.
We are seeking a Deputy Director of Advocacy & Community Partnerships based in or near Austin, whose primary duties will include:
- Connecting students, families, educators and community leaders to local, state and federal advocacy opportunities through IDRA’s priorities
- Collaborating with IDRA’s policy, advocacy and community engagement team and other staff to create and execute state-level advocacy strategies for the organization’s policy priorities. This includes in-person advocacy, coordinating coalition engagement opportunities (g., advocacy days), and relationship building at the Texas Capitol in Austin and other relevant agencies and organizations during and between legislative sessions.
- Developing campaign strategies for and convening, managing and expanding the membership and reach of the Texas Legislative Education Equity Coalition (TLEEC); coordinating other organizations and individual stakeholders to engage in issue-specific advocacy campaigns; and representing IDRA in Texas-based advocacy coalitions.
- Supporting and developing relationships with other advocacy organizations to execute state-level advocacy campaigns for IDRA’s policy priorities.
- Testifying on behalf of IDRA and/or TLEEC before the Texas legislature, state board of education, and relevant state and local agencies and governing bodies.
- Supporting the IDRA Education Policy Fellows program, including by helping to develop and present program curricula and directly supervise Texas-based fellows.
Other duties will include collaborating with IDRA staff to:
- Support external policy communications, including through new and traditional media and digital campaign platforms.
- Occasionally travel as needed to build partner relationships and local partner engagement that would fuel state-level policy advocacy.
- Support state-level legal advocacy and litigation projects, including through educational research, outreach and communications with coalitions, organizations and individuals in support of amicus briefs, Attorney General letter briefs and other legal advocacy strategies.
- Provide training, guidance, and assistance to educators, students and families to support their engagement in education policy and legal advocacy.
- Assist with building an internal database of advocacy guides, articles and other materials.
- Collaborate with IDRA’s Georgia Advocacy Director in developing and implementing interorganizational guidelines for coalition management and communications
- Collaborate with IDRA’s policy, advocacy, community engagement team and legal team to direct organizational strategies for local, state and federal advocacy
- Lead strategies to support and expand IDRA’s advocacy and family leadership network, including by providing guidance and assistance to educators, community members, students and families to build capacity for their engagement in education policy and advocacy.
- Consult on advocacy strategies in other states with IDRA colleagues internally and with external advocacy organizations.
- Support other IDRA initiatives as needed.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Earned degree in education, policy, law, school leadership, social work, social sciences and/or related field or at least three years of relevant experience in policy, legal or community advocacy.
- Knowledge of and experience with Texas’ legislative processes and internal procedures.
- Working knowledge of basic educational research and relevant databases.
Preferred Skills and Qualifications
- Has been involved in at least two state legislative sessions
- Education law or policy experience
- Excellent coalition management skills and experience leading diverse coalitions
- Excellent writing skills across a variety of audiences
- Demonstrated experience in digital campaign and mobilization strategies
- Ability to adapt quickly and respond creatively to challenges
- Experience working with youth in leadership roles
- Authentic connection to and compassion for marginalized students and their communities
- A demonstrated commitment to equal educational opportunity and civil rights
- Fluency in English and Spanish
We seek an individual with a proven track record who shares our views that no child is expendable and that communities must have a voice in the policies that most impact them. Applicants should understand asset-based practices, systemic change, institutional biases and current local, state and federal education policy issues.
Compensation: Minimum salary is $80,000. Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Application Process
To apply, submit the following:
- Completed application form
- Letter of interest
- Curriculum vita or resumé
- Contact information for three professional references
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
IDRA is an equal opportunity employer.
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