Civic Engagement Manager – Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement

Voter Registration, Engagement, and Turnout: Leads the development and implementation of a data-informed strategy for voter registration, education, and turnout within the Washington University student community, with a particular commitment to developing strategies for inclusion of all students (this includes undergraduates, graduate/professional students, and non-voters) in the process of democracy. Responsibilities include:

• →Leads voter registration efforts for Washington University by coordinating the WashU Votes Campus Network, which includes the WashU Votes undergraduate student committee and faculty/staff Voter Champion Network.
• →Researches national best practices for voter engagement, consults with regional and national colleagues and leaders, and reviews Washington University voter engagement data and reports to lead development of a comprehensive voter engagement strategy.
• →Develops and implements campus programming and communications to encourage voter registration and answer common questions.
• →Manages TurboVote, the Gephardt Institute’s online platform for voter registration and reminders.
• →Serves as the primary advisor to WashU Votes student leaders to provide training and guidance, coordinate peer-to-peer outreach efforts with university-wide strategy, ensure compliance with university policies and voting regulations, including but not limited to nonpartisanship, and support partnership-based voter engagement efforts in the St. Louis community.
• →Collaborates with and trains student groups, academic and administrative departments, Voter Engagement Hubs, and individuals who are invested in voter registration and turnout.
• →Collaborates with Division of Student Success Marketing & Communications Office in the development of strategy and content to ensure a robust website, and with Gephardt staff and WashU Votes student leaders to ensure strong social media presence and relevant, accurate print materials.
• →Writes social media copy for voting related materials
• →Collaborates with relevant colleagues in the development and implementation of data collection and assessment strategies.
• →Coordinates with national partners to align resources and share promising practices.
• →Maintains regular contact with the St. Louis County Board of Elections, City of St. Louis Board of Election Commissioners, and campus officials responsible for ensuring federal and local compliance with election law and coordination of on-campus polling places.

• →Collaborates on written proposals, plans, and reports related to voter engagement efforts, including national coalitions and designations.
• →Handles inquiries and collaboration requests from on-campus and off-campus organizations.
• →Supervises relevant graduate assistants and student interns.

Civic Learning and Dialogue Programming: Manages year-round programming and initiatives that educate and engage the student body, with a focus on voting rights, the voter registration and voting process, understanding the process of policy-making and policy change, civic dialogue, and related avenues for year-round citizen and non-citizen engagement with the process of democracy. Responsibilities include:

• Develops and coordinates Gephardt Institute initiatives such as voter registration drives, Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, National Voter Registration Day, Civic Action Week, debate watch gatherings, strategies for engaging incoming students, post-election programming and communications, and emergent events and strategies.
• Leads the planning and implementation of student visits to the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City and other trips to governmental sites, in coordination with key campus planning partners.
• Collaborates with Associate Director for Civic Engagement to conceptualize, plan, implement, and continuously improve immersion trips to Washington DC, St. Louis, and other site visits for Civic Action Lab courses. Collaborates with Engage Democracy team, relevant committees, and campus colleagues) on development, implementation, and continuous improvement of education and engagement strategies including Civic Action Week, special events, and other emergent strategies.
• Advises students and fosters coordination and collaboration among student-facing groups and departments in the development and implementation of programming and initiatives aligned with the goals of the Engage Democracy pillar.

Serves as an essential member of the Gephardt Institute team.

• Contributes to initiatives, meetings, and events of the Gephardt Institute, including developing strategy and vision for initiatives, planning processes, grant/proposal applications and reporting, donor cultivation and stewardship, special projects, and special events.
• Collaborates with Gephardt Institute staff and relevant stakeholders to coordinate planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of all Gephardt Institute programs and services.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment
• Alternative work schedule as regular part of job (on-call, shifts, evening, weekends)

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement
• Ability to move to on and off-campus locations

Equipment

• Office equipment

• Master’s degree in political science, public policy, legal studies, communication, student affairs, social work, psychology, business, or related field.
• Three years of experience in higher education, civic engagement, civic education, voter engagement, community outreach, and/or community organizing, preferably with adolescents or young adults.
• Experience developing marketing, communications, outreach, and engagement strategies for diverse audiences.
• Experience with large-scale and complex event or engagement strategies.
• Relevant experience with civic engagement, civic learning, or related initiatives at a professional, co-curricular, and/or volunteer level
• Experience with organizing and planning events, outreach, and engagement strategies, and leading or facilitating groups toward a common purpose
• Demonstrated ability to work in a nonpartisan environment. Commitment to maintaining a nonpartisan and inclusive approach to all educational, programming, outreach, and communication strategies 
• Experience with and openness to managing tasks, data, and records with various applications such as Microsoft Excel, Mail Merge, and project management software
• Ability to function both independently and collaboratively in a dynamic, highly collaborative environment with multiple functions, audiences, and priorities.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for civic engagement through the political and electoral process
• Ability and willingness to work evening and weekend hours for special projects, events, and deadlines in service to students and the institute’s mission

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.