Public Affairs and Community Engagement Representative - San Francisco, Governmental Relations

Schedule

This is a telecommuting position with extensive travel in the San Francisco region. The majority of this role’s work will be performed within San Francisco. Candidate must be located in the San Francisco region as this position requires extensive travel.

Summary

Under the general direction of the Senior Director, External Affairs, this position serves as the primary liaison between California School Boards Association (CSBA) and local school and county boards of education, key decision-makers and community stakeholders. The role is responsible for executing CSBA’s grassroots program, building relationships and coordinating outreach efforts within the San Francisco region. The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of education laws, regulations, and trends, while working closely with local education leaders to advance advocacy priorities. This role involves travel within the San Francisco region, participation in government affairs activities, and organizing advocacy events; and performs related work as required. 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities 

• Advocacy & Relationship Building: Facilitate interactions between school boards, county education members, and state/federal legislators to foster key relationships.
• Grassroots Organizing: Coordinate grassroots efforts to engage local education stakeholders and mobilize school boards around state and federal legislative priorities.
• Policy Communication: Regularly communicate with school boards and local communities on critical legislative and policy issues affecting education.
• Community & Legislative Engagement: Represent CSBA at various local meetings, events, and policy discussions to ensure the association’s visibility and influence. 
• Event Coordination: Organize fundraising, advocacy, and community outreach events, including local news events and educational tours.
• Publications & Presentations: Develop and disseminate educational materials, presentations, and issue papers regarding key education topics.
• Fundraising & PAC Support: Assist in planning and executing CSBA PAC fundraising events and expanding relationships with business and professional communities.
• Collaboration: Work with CSBA departments to promote member services and programs, build coalitions with stakeholders, and support regional directors in their advocacy efforts.
• Travel & Coordination: Frequent travel throughout the state of California, specifically the San Francisco region, to attend meetings, conduct outreach, and coordinate events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education leadership, public policy, political science, or related field or minimum of two (2) to five (5) years of experience in political organizing, association work, legislative campaigns, or public affairs.
• Experience working with elected officials, coordinating meetings and workshops, and providing public policy presentations.
• Strong understanding of California’s education system, school boards, and county offices of education.
• Knowledge of grassroots organizing, legislative processes, and political advocacy strategies.
• Familiarity with local government structures and established relationships with public officials and the press is preferred.
• Understanding of federal, state, and local government organizations and how they impact education.
• Strong ability to build coalitions and strategic alliances to advocate for education policies.
• Skilled in analyzing and interpreting legislative and regulatory proposals.
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and facilitate meetings and events with multiple stakeholders.
• Strong written communication skills for creating concise reports, presentations, and advocacy materials.
• Capable of managing multiple tasks and projects with attention to timelines and details.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to achieve individual and team goals.
• Must be able to frequently travel throughout California, including occasional overnight stays.
• Valid California Driver’s License or ability to obtain one before appointment.
• The position requires frequent travel, primarily by car, and long periods of sitting.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and move materials up to 25 pounds.
• Ability to sit at a computer for extended periods and engage in presentations.

Why Join CSBA?

• Opportunity to take ownership of key public affairs and community engagement functions and drive improvements.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment with leadership exposure.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.

If you are an ambitious professional looking for a role where you can make a real impact, we encourage you to apply!

About CSBA

The California School Boards Association is a nonprofit education association representing the governing boards who oversee public school districts and county offices of education. With a membership of nearly 1,000 educational agencies statewide, CSBA brings together school governing boards to advocate for effective policies that advance the education and well-being of the state’s more than 6 million school-age children. CSBA provides policy resources and training to members and represents the statewide interests of public education through legal, political, legislative, community, and media advocacy.

CSBA employees are highly skilled, with a desire to excel and help strengthen school board governance and maximize student achievement. They are strategic in their trade, embrace challenges, and offer new and innovative ideas. CSBA creates a supportive, dynamic environment for its employees to grow and succeed. Our core values of integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect, excellence, service, and innovation guide the way to achieving the Association’s goals.

Benefits

At CSBA, we proudly offer a competitive compensation package to our full-time exempt and non-exempt employees, including the following benefits:

• Medical, Dental & Vision
• CalPERS Retirement
• 457 Retirement Plan
• Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Vacation
• Floating Holidays
• Sick
• Employee Assistance Program

Apply Today

If you are ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to meaningful work, apply today! We are excited to hear how your expertise can further our mission and advance the education and well-being of the state’s more than 6 million school-age children within public education in California.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CSBA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with applicable Federal and State law. CSBA prohibits discrimination of any person employed or seeking employment with CSBA on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age (over 40), marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, military or veteran status, reproductive health decision making or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

E-Verify 

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.

Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.

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