Director of Civic Engagement

Description

Summary:
The job of Director of Community Engagement in the Office of Government Affairs and External Relations is established for the purpose/s of overseeing and implementing protocols ensuring Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University’s (AAMU) involvement in the civic community.
The Director of Civic Engagement will develop and lead the implementation of the institution’s civic engagement strategy and implement all civic engagement efforts to advance issue campaigns, legislative priorities and local and state ballot initiatives.

Examples of Duties

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the civic engagement aspect within AAMU by building and sustaining the AAMU reputation for quality, reliability, and customer satisfaction.
• Builds diverse, cross-partisan relationships from the ground up and possess a thorough understanding all AAMU priority areas and a solid working knowledge of the federal legislative process
• Manages all AAMU voter registration education and registration efforts with campus groups and external groups
• Serve as a liaison for the University with the City Council, County Commission, School Boards, Registrar of Voters, and other civic orientations.
• Work closely with Vice President of Government Affairs to support the institution’s strategic initiatives by developing, maintaining, and deepening effective relationships with strategic partners with a primary focus on government, civic, community, and nonprofit organizations.
• Manages training, coalition/network building, and leads community sessions, develops grassroots strategies, writes Op-Ed pieces and manage all AAMU Civic Engagement activities.
• Works in collaboration with appropriate individuals to advance AAMU legislative, civic engagement, and charitable giving agendas.
• Advises the Vice President of Government Affairs & External Relations on all matters relating to assigned areas of responsibility for the purpose of providing information to meet University goals and objectives.
• Attends university board meetings and other meetings as designated, to ensures participation by community affairs for the purpose of staying informed specific perspectives.
• Generate and implement policies, procedures and protocol for the university’s engagement with civic organizations.
• Collaborates with local, state and national internal and external stakeholders (e.g. AAMU Cabinet, AAMU Board of Trustees, Religious Organizations, Chambers of Commerce, Community Based Organizations (Girls, Inc., the Divine 9, NAACP, etc.) for the purpose of outreach efforts to enhance and build relationships to achieve University goals and objectives.
• Develops and maintains local, state and national relationships, engagements and builds a positive relationship with AAMU.
• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Position Requirements (including years of experience, certifications, licenses, etc.):
Education
Bachelor’s in an appropriate area of specialization. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Experience

• Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is required.
• Experience in project management, policy interpretation, staff and volunteer management, community relations/affairs and engagement.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge is required to perform advanced math; review and interpret technical information, write technical materials, and/or speak persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: concepts of grammar and punctuation; age appropriate activities; community resources; budget preparation; program development; concepts of marketing and networking; researching local/global trends; group and process facilitation; and successful program implementation.
Skills are required to perform multiple, technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: planning and managing projects; applying assessment instruments; operating standard office equipment; preparing and maintaining accurate records; using pertinent software applications; critical thinking; planning, coordinating and completing multiple tasks; and preparation of effective easily understood written and oral reports.
Ability is required to schedule a significant number of activities, meetings, and/or events; often gather, collate, and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize job-related equipment. Independent problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires analysis based on organizational objectives; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; working with detailed information/data; and working with frequent interruptions.