Civic Engagement Strategist

Description

NAYA Family Center is seeking a highly organized, collaborative, and community-minded Civic Engagement Strategist to support civic engagement and advocacy programming for both NAYA Family Center and the NAYA Action Fund. This role helps activate NAYA clients and community members to participate in power building, leadership development, and political advocacy across Oregon and Washington. A primary focus of this position is the Leadership, Entrepreneurship, and Advocacy Development (LEAD) Program
, an annual cohort experience that builds relationships and develops leadership and advocacy skills among Native community leaders. You'll lead recruitment and selection, coordinate program logistics, support presenters and participants, and create opportunities for LEAD participants and alumni to engage in advocacy work.

You'll also support NAYA's annual Legislative Days of Action in Salem, Oregon and Olympia, Washington, along with community forums, town halls, elected official meetings, Portland Indian Leader Round tables, and other civic engagement activities. This role brings together project management, communications, event coordination, relationship-building, and advocacy to help Native community members engage effectively in the political process. The Civic Engagement Strategist will work across NAYA Family Center and the NAYA Action Fund and will collaborate with community partners, organizational leaders, elected officials, policy staff, and NAYA teams.

This position is ideal for someone who is self-motivated, detail-oriented, comfortable managing multiple priorities, and passionate about developing Native leadership and strengthening community power. This is a full-time, exempt role. The salary range is $75,000 to $85,000.

• You have at least three years of experience in community advocacy, public policy, coalition building, nonprofit leadership, or nonprofit program work.
• You have a strong understanding of Native American history, the diversity of local American Indian and Alaska Native communities, and the Urban Indian experience.
• You have strong project management, organization, planning, and attention-to-detail skills.
• You are comfortable managing multiple projects, stakeholders, deadlines, and moving pieces with limited supervision.
• You are self-directed and able to set priorities, manage deadlines, anticipate changes, and follow through without needing to be reminded.
• You communicate clearly and effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and bring strong emotional intelligence and active listening skills.
• You are comfortable communicating through email, phone, text, written materials, presentations, and community-facing events.
• You can translate complex policy and advocacy issues into clear, accessible, and engaging communications.
• You have experience working with diverse populations; experience working with urban or reservation-based Native communities, tribes, boards, or other Native-serving organizations is strongly preferred.
• You have experience navigating local or state government systems; knowledge of Oregon and Washington legislative and local government processes is preferred.
• Experience with a 501(c)(4) organization is strongly preferred.
• Connections to or experience working in Southwest Washington is strongly preferred.
• A bachelor's degree in public policy, communications, political science, sociology, urban planning, or a related field is preferred but not required.
• You are comfortable working both independently and collaboratively and can adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• You have strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office, web-based research, Word, Excel, and email.
• You have CPR, First Aid, and AED certification, or the ability to obtain and maintain these certifications.
• You have a valid Oregon or Washington State Driver License, or are able to obtain one upon hire, and are eligible to be an insured driver under NAYA Family Center's liability insurance policy.
• You are able to successfully complete required background investigations, including fingerprinting and a DHS Background Check Unit review.

• Lead recruitment and coordinate the annual selection process for the LEAD cohort.
• Plan and coordinate LEAD program logistics in partnership with NAYA leadership, including scheduling presenters and participants, securing venues, coordinating meals, and organizing welcome and graduation events.
• Organize LEAD alumni events and create opportunities for…