New Job Specialist, Network Grants & Policy Activation In Virginia

WHO WE ARE

Rooted in community for more than 40 years, Communities In Schools (CIS) strives to bring community resources inside public schools, where they are accessible, coordinated, and accountable. Founder Bill Milliken said, “It’s relationships, not programs, that change children. A great program simply creates the environment for healthy relationships to form between adults and children. Young people thrive when adults care about them on a one-to-one level, and when they also have a sense of belonging to a caring community.”

Throughout the United States, CIS annually serves 1.8M students at 3,270 schools and community sites with 15,500 community volunteers and 114 CIS affiliate organizations and licensed partners. Supports for students include providing needs assessments, support teams with corresponding plans to address academic and non-academic needs, delivery of multiple tiers of supports for both students and families, progress monitoring and evaluation and assessment with parents and student support systems.

MISSION AND VALUES

Communities In Schools (CIS), is “all-in” for kids. It is our passion—it is our mission. At the National Office, CIS collaborates with local affiliate and licensed partner organizations to provide resources and create communities of caring adults who work hand-in-hand with educators to make sure young people have the tools they need to stay in school and achieve in life. We are the nation’s largest provider of integrated student supports, and we achieve our mission by hiring bright, creative, and innovative team members who demonstrate a passion for what they do.

CIS also holds the following talent beliefs:

• Every staff member is passionate and committed to the mission.
• As a National Office, CIS employees have a responsibility to live our values and integrate principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion across the organization and lead by example.
• In turn, CIS is committed to continuously improving decision making, incentivizing creativity, and building engagement and we do this by building a diverse workforce, fostering a climate of inclusion, and shaping business practices and policies that promote equity.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Under the direction of the Sr. Director, Organizational Health, the Network Grants and Policy Activation Specialist will be responsible for developing supports for the network to create braided funding sustainability strategies.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Developing a library of grant and policy tools, resources, and trainings.
• Researching and promoting private and public grant opportunities.
• Providing training and support around policy advocacy that build greater demand for evidence-based ISS in schools.
• Providing technical assistance and training around accessing private and public funding, including trainings and direct support, particularly around federal, state, and local funding streams to diversify funding and develop braided funding models)
• Provide opportunities and avenues for affiliates/states to ensure CIS is an approved source for public funding.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AND EXPERIENCES

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.

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent years of exp) in Social Work, Public Policy, Education, Public Affairs, Communication, or comparable experience
• Minimum six (6) years related work experience, preferably in a non-profit organization
• Proven strength in research, writing, and grant development
• Experience with advocacy, lobbying, or policy strategic planning
• Advanced PC skills including Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Demonstrated strength and proven track record in project management
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to scope out errors and fix mistakes.
• Collaboration and teamwork including ability to build positive relationships with colleagues and help others.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills in dealing with internal and external stakeholders.
• Intellectual curiosity, motivation, and a desire to learn on the job.
• Time management including the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects at once.
• Innovative and creative thinking, willingness to voice your opinions, and a strong work ethic are essential.
• Excited to work with people who have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

TRAVEL

Travel up to 15% is required including travel in the domestic United States with overnight stay(s).

ABOUT US

CIS staff continue to work in a virtual environment; however, the national office is open and available for staff to use as appropriate.

To ensure the health and safety of staff and job applicants, all interviews will be conducted by phone and/or video conference.

BENEFITS & PERKS

Work that makes a difference—the opportunity to contribute to an important mission!

Competitive and comprehensive compensation and benefits package, including:

• Five weeks of Paid Time Off
• Generous 403b Retirement Savings Plan contribution
• 10 Paid Holidays
• 90% of employee health care premiums paid by the organization
• Summer Work Schedule and Winter Break*
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term income replacement programs, and much, much more!

Communities In Schools is committed to a workforce that is representative of the varied communities we are privileged to serve. We provide a work environment that does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information or any other basis protected by applicable law. CIS prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

For more information on Communities In Schools please visit our website.