The Community Engagement Specialist (CES) supports community outreach and engagement activities to support Career Technical Education (CTE) Foundation’s programmatic, marketing and fundraising goals.

We have a commitment to diversity at CTE Foundation — in backgrounds and in experiences. Education is a universal concern, and we need people from all backgrounds to help innovate our education system and ensure equitable access to quality, career-connected learning experiences. We are deliberate about the kind of team and culture that we are building, seeking team members that are strong in their own aptitudes and also share CTE Foundation values of equity, empowerment, engagement, experience and entrepreneurship.

Reporting to the Director of Student Experience, the CES plays a key role in helping CTE Foundation maintain and develop partnerships with local employers and organizations to meet the mission to innovate the education-to-career experience to strengthen economic development and student success. By implementing a strategic outreach plan developed with CTE Foundation staff, the CES creates linkages for interested industry partners to engage with students through CTE Foundation’s programs and investments, as well as connects business leaders to opportunities to invest in the Foundation’s work through donation or corporate sponsorship. The CES will collaborate closely with CTE Foundation stakeholder partners to ensure that business/community relations maximize opportunities for career technical education that benefit local economic development and student outcomes.

 Primary Duties:

Community-School Engagement (35% time)

Collaborate with Director of Student Experience to:

• Cultivate partnerships with local businesses and organizations to link industry and education through the County’s work-based learning network.
• Match student/teacher educational needs with industry partners through activities such as career panels, company tours, guest speakers and hands-on demonstrations.
• Collaborate with Sonoma County Office of Education and other education partners to facilitate meetings and trainings for educators. 
• Maintain and expand a database of local businesses/organizations that can provide work-based learning opportunities for students.
• Support outreach and engagement efforts with community partners, industry professionals, employers, and public and private organizations (such as area Chambers of Commerce, business groups, trade associations, etc.).
• Obtain qualitative and quantitative feedback from industry partners, education partners and students to help CTE Foundation measure impact and to continuously improve upon work-based learning strategies.

Marketing & Communications (35% time)

Support Director of Marketing/Communications to:

• Identify and compile positive/impactful student/teacher stories and experiences to support communication/marketing efforts.
• Connect business partners with sponsorship opportunities for CTE Foundation events.
• Ensure that program information is up-to-date on the CTE Foundation website.
• Contribute to newsletter and social media communications through content development, writing articles and/or seeking industry partners to submit relevant content.
• Develop and distribute marketing materials soliciting industry and community participation in work-based learning opportunities.
• Provide event coordination support for stewardship, fundraising and programmatic events throughout the year including ticket website management, live auction coordination and marketing/advertising efforts.

Resource Development (25% time)

 Support Director of Resource Development to:

• Track and document activities related to industry engagement and partnerships.
• Participate in CTE Foundation’s fundraising strategy, particularly as they relate to corporate sponsorships and donations, by identifying, cultivating and stewarding business partners.
• Contribute to message development for fundraising campaigns especially as they relate to industry-focused campaigns.
• Attend relevant community events and cultivate speaking opportunities in order to deepen local networks, engage new donors and expand community presence. 

Other Administrative Support as Assigned (5% time)

 QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated experience in networking and building connections; bonus if experience is directly related to engaging the business community and/or education community.
• Organized and efficient in planning meetings and events, both internal and external.
• Good written and verbal communication skills; a persuasive and passionate communicator with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Technologically savvy and great at systems development/improvement.
• Enjoys wearing multiple hats and able to be nimble in daily work activities to meet the needs of a fast-paced team.
• Bilingual Spanish highly desired.
• Proficient in the following: Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams); Internet Search; Social Media; CRM/Database Management.
• COVID-19 vaccination required for employees with reasonable accommodations for medical or religious considerations.

Salary & Benefits:

• Full -time exempt; Salary range $60,000 – $70,000 per year based on experience.
• Employer-sponsored medical, dental and vision benefits.
• 401k with employer match.
• Flexible work schedule with limited work from home options (main office in Santa Rosa, Calif.).
• Generous paid time off benefits to include 11 recognized holidays, 5 days sick time, 10 days accrued vacation with step up for years of service and 2 personal floating holidays per year (Vacation accrual rates commensurate with years of service).
• CTE Foundation is committed to a workplace culture that supports individual and team development to include employee and workplace wellbeing opportunities.

To apply:

Desired start date: February 1, 2o22. Please submit a letter of interest and resume to careers@ctesonomacounty.org.