Houston Regional Manager

ROLE: Houston Regional Manager

LOCATION: Presently Remote with Residence in Houston, TX (up to 25% travel)

Start Date: January 2025

REPORTS TO: Executive Director, DFER Texas

APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 15, 2024

ROLE OVERVIEW

Democrats for Education Reform Texas (DFER TX) seeks a Regional Manager dedicated to ensuring that all children thrive in public school, with a particular focus on low-income students, students of color, English learners, and students with disabilities. In this role, you will bring your passion for equity to provide support to the DFER TX’s state regional advocacy team, interacting with key stakeholders in the Houston Region to build DFER’s connections to the community. This role is ideal for someone who is a strong relationship builder and is committed to leveraging relationships for key policy and political priorities.

WHO WE ARE

Democrats for Education Reform Texas (DFER TX) is a political organization that supports elected Democrats and candidates for office who seek to expand policies and practices that work well for America’s students and confront those that do not. We are education progressives who prioritize students and families, especially low-income students and students of color who should be better served by our country’s public education system.

DFER partner Education Reform Now Advocacy Texas (ERNA TX) is an advocacy group that advances education reform measures through empowering community leaders to support our legislative and political advocacy work. ERNA keeps constant pressure on legislators to champion high-quality public education.

DFER partner Education Reform Now Texas (ERN TX) is a nonpartisan think tank that promotes increased resources and innovative reforms in K-16 public education, particularly for students of color and students from low-income families.

WHAT WE DO

Support for Progressive Education Leaders — In an approach that is markedly different from our peers and partners in the field, DFER engages directly with candidates and elected officials to empower them to advocate for education policies that focus foremost on serving students. Our partner organization, Education Reform Now, does work that involves policy research, analysis and education that helps policy makers at all levels understand complex education issues and make informed decisions.

Informing the Education Debate — Our coalition work reflects the breadth of our policy priorities. We work collaboratively with organizations and our community networks to create an education system that is held accountable to all kids and families.

Targeted Interventions and Rapid Response — DFER’s reach from the most local district relationships to state and federal policymakers, enables us to respond quickly to the changing landscape and policy trends. Activities vary significantly from project to project and may include training, policy analysis, public engagement, electoral and issue advocacy, and policy guidance for elected officials and local advocates.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Regional Relationship Building: Develop and cultivate relationships with key stakeholders  and community partners in the Greater Houston-region. 
• Interact With Elected Leaders: Build key relationships with state and local elected leaders in the greater Houston region.
• Community Outreach/Event Attendance: Attend various community, school and other events to develop key relationships and build the DFER brand throughout the greater Houston-region.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Assist in organizing and participating in meetings, workshops, and conferences with policymakers, educators, and other stakeholders. Present research findings and policy recommendations.
• Interact with Educational Leaders: Develop and maintain relationships  with school and educational leaders in order to leverage organizational political and policy goals.  
• Coalition Partner Interaction: Join and participate in regional and local policy advocacy coalitions.
• Legislative and Policy Advocacy: Assist in DFER’s statewide policy and legislative advocacy efforts during legislative sessions
• Other Duties as Assigned

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s Degree Required
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to critically evaluate policies and their impacts, identify key issues, and develop evidence-based recommendations.
• Organizational Skills: Ability to track interactions and on-the-ground communications
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical and complicated information clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences.
• Attention to Detail: Meticulous attention to detail in research, writing, and data analysis.
• Commitment to Education Equity: A demonstrated commitment to improving educational outcomes and advancing equity in education.
• 1+ years experience in an outreach focused role. Prior experience in a role that centered on relationship building.,
• Education Policy Experience preferred: In-depth understanding of current K-12 and higher education education policy issues and the policymaking process at the local, state, and federal levels. Demonstrated knowledge on the organization’s policy focus areas will be prioritized.

COMPENSATION

Compensation: The salary range for this role is $75,000- $80,000.

DFER is proud to offer excellent benefits: cell phone reimbursement, health, vision, and dental coverage; flexible spending plan; life insurance; short-and long-term disability insurance; 401K plan with a match plan; flexible spending/benefits plan; paid family leave; paid time off (sick time; all National holidays; a week off around the winter holidays) and paid vacation.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

Democrats for Education Reform welcomes applications from all, and strongly encourages women, people of color, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees & LGBTQ people to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization and recruiting a team that reflects the diversity of the students we serve.