Background

Community Equity Program (CEP) is a no-cost 9-month political leadership program created for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) leaders to build their skills in navigating and taking leadership in impacting the Minnesota state legislative policy making process. CEP provides a blend of technical information (legislative timelines, how a bill becomes a law, reading/drafting bill language, preparing a testimony, campaign strategy, navigating the Capitol, etc.) and a community of support around the challenges and experiences of being BIPOC at the Capitol.

CEP also acknowledges the oppressive histories and current realities for BIPOC communities within political systems, and that it is also the role of the program to foster space for dreaming of more community-centered ways of governing and leading. With bi-weekly 5-hour Friday sessions from September-May, fellows create a community with one another through group projects, field trips, retreats, community partner projects, self-reflection, etc. Most sessions are currently planned to be facilitated virtually over Zoom for the 2021-22 program year, with some in-person sessions. Under safe conditions, CEP plans to return to a 100% in-person program in the 2022-23 program year.

The Senior Program Associate will work with the Program Manager to create an impactful and memorable CEP experience for each participant. This position requires a solid level of knowledge and experience working within the MN State Legislative policymaking process, as this is vital to effectively co-facilitating educational sessions and providing support to participants. This position is very reliant on the applicant’s ability to build and maintain meaningful relationships with cohort members, alumni, and community partners.  Please note that this position is categorized as 0.8 FTE / 32 hours a week + full benefits eligible.

Essential Duties

Program Co-Facilitation/Co-Planning - 60%

• Co-develop program content with Program Manager (creating agendas, presentations, finding activities to make content fun, etc.)
• Brainstorm & help implement ways to make CEP as intersectional, accessible, and impactful as possible for participants
• Co-facilitate bi-weekly 5 hour Friday sessions and other sessions as needed
• Meet monthly with participants to catch up on missed content, help strategize around an idea, provide encouragement and support, etc.
• Identify and secure guest speakers, panelists, and facilitators on varying topics of expertise as needed (alumni, organizers, lobbyists, community members, analysts, etc.)
• Lead an alumni planning team during the Spring/Summer (content planning, cohort selection, etc.)
• Build and maintain authentic and genuine relationships with cohort members, alumni, and community partners through regular and consistent in-person/online meetings and electronic correspondence (email, phone, GroupMe, etc.)
• Lead the planning and implementation of the CEP Partner Immersion, which gives participants opportunities to connect with external partners actively leading legislative p­­olicy campaigns during session (identifying potential organizations/coalitions, assigning cohort members, coordinating meeting logistics, communicating with partners and cohort members regularly, conducting end of program evaluation)
• Provide input on proposal language, budgets, and workplans for potential funding streams (you are not responsible for fundraising/writing grants)

Communications, Connection & Engagement 20%

• Assist in planning & implementing cohort/alumni events
• Assist in applicant recruitment efforts/strategy
• Attend community events to build relationships, increase CEP's network, and identify avenues for partnership
• Communicate regularly with cohort (assignments/projects, session reminders, calendar invites, etc.)
• Disseminate regular communications within CEP networks around relevant news, job opportunities, action alerts, etc.

Program Support/Admin 20%

• Coordinate program session logistics (food, meeting space, guest speakers, etc.)
• Accurately and consistently maintain records of program documentation, attendance, data collection and evaluation
• Submit and track payment vouchers to compensate guest speakers and facilitators
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Must Haves (these are necessary skills that you must have walking into this role):

• Experience working on state-level policy in and around the MN Legislature (policy/electoral campaigns, lobbying, advocacy, coalition building, community organizing, etc.)
• Demonstrated proficiency and ability to teach others on the innerworkings of state-level policy (key dates throughout session, policy analysis, social dynamics, how a bill becomes a law, state budgets, campaign strategy, etc.)
• Knowledge of policy issues affecting BIPOC communities
• Deep commitment to and experience to working for intersectional justice and liberation within BIPOC communities
• Ability to juggle tasks, prioritize under strict deadlines, and complete work on time
• Confidence and comfortability with public speaking
• Highly communicative and responsive during appropriate hours (quick check-ins, regular team meetings, etc. - this is especially important during a time of partially working remotely)
• Creative mind that is able to hold space for others (and themself) to dream up new ways of leading, governing, and advocating at the Capitol
• Passion for this work and capacity to create a trusting, open, accountable, and supporting environment for participants

Nice to Haves (great if you have these skills, but can be further developed along the way):

• Experience facilitating in-person and/or virtual group trainings, workshops, or community meetings
• Workshop/curriculum design (creating agendas, finding ways to make content exciting and relatable, holding space for connection, etc.)
• Proficiency in using Google Suite (sheets, docs, etc.)

Other Information 

• BIPOC-identified applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Competitive compensation and benefit package including health, dental, 401(k), life, disability, flexible spending and development funds. Eligible federal loans may also qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). 
• Our application system works best using Internet Explorer and attaching documents in PDF or Word format. Postings close at midnight Eastern Standard Time.

To apply, please visit: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=a0dd9e27-deee-47ac-b917-fb746916a4a3&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US