IMMEDIATE FULL-TIME OPENING

Job Title: Community Engagement Associate

Location: Central Pennsylvania Food Bank – Harrisburg, PA

Reporting Relationship: Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy

Position Summary: The Community Engagement Associate’s primary objective is to support the Director of Community Engagement and Advocacy in advancing the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank’s (CPFB) advocacy and communications strategic plans. The Associate is charged with ensuring CPFB’s success in three broad areas: (i) fostering and cultivating relationships with agency partners to grow a vibrant and effective grassroots advocacy network; (ii) creating and coordinating grassroots advocacy communications, and (iii) assisting the Director with other legislative and administrative advocacy activities.

Essential Job Functions:

  • Explore unique and strategic ways to broaden general knowledge and activate grassroots support of anti-hunger policies.
  • Assist the Director in fostering and cultivating a strong grassroots advocacy network of CPFB partner agencies and other community partners.
  • Assist the Director in developing and implementing a grassroots advocacy strategy integrating online and offline engagement tactics, including social media messaging, web-based advocacy tools, and community forums.
  • Create and deliver compelling advocacy and public policy presentations and grassroots communication pieces; and conduct agency site visits to raise awareness and recruit new advocates.
  • Seek out and maintain a list of opportunities for local grassroots advocates to engage and interact with government officials.
  • Manage the CPFB advocacy database.
  • Assist the Director with monitoring positions and voting records around hunger and poverty by public policy decision-makers in key roles.
  • Provide background/research on public policy issues, monitor hearings, and track the path of relevant legislation at the request of the Director.
  • Assist the Director in scheduling and preparing for advocacy activities such as legislative visits, hearings, or round table discussions.
  • While the Director is the primary interface with public officials and key staff and will be the primary attendee for CPFB at advocacy, public policy, government relations, and related events, the Community Engagement Associate may be asked to participate at the request of the Director.
  • While the Director is the primary liaison to Feeding America, Feeding Pennsylvania, Hunger Free Pennsylvania, and other key anti-hunger organizations, the Community Engagement Associate may be asked by the Director to participate or provide support.

Education and Experience:

  •  Education: A Bachelor’s Degree in communications, public relations, political science or non- profit management from an accredited four-year university required.
  • Experience: This is an entry level position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks.
  • Possess a willingness to adjust to changing priorities.
  • Possess excellent interpersonal skills.
  • Strong project management skills.
  • Strong time management skills.
  • Strong resource management skills with expertise of government functions a must.
  • Strong understanding of and familiarity with issues of poverty and hunger.
  • Able to work independently with minimal supervision and in a team environment.
  • Able to present a professional demeanor under a variety of conditions.
  • Ability to work a flexible schedule, as needed.
  • Ability to travel effectively for required meetings and events.
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Word, and Excel.

 

Physical Requirements or Licenses:

  • Will be required to register as a lobbyist as a CPFB employee.
  • A valid driver’s license with history of a good driving record.
  • Ability to travel that may include consecutive overnight stays, and traveling by car, bus, and airplane.
  • Conditions may include working outside in inclement weather, working closely with others, working alone, and working protracted or irregular hours.
  • The work environment is typically quiet.

Minimum 2 years professional experience with a non-profit desired. Excellent benefit package included. Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume and salary requirements by July 19, 2019 to Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Department of Human Resources, 3908 Corey Road, Harrisburg, PA 17109 or email [email protected].