Civic Engagement Strategist

Native-American-Youth-and-Family-Center-; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

NAYA Family Center seeks a Civic Engagement Strategist to support advocacy programming for NAYA Family Center and the NAYA Action Fund. This role leads LEAD program recruitment, coordinates logistics, supports presenters and participants, and creates opportunities for leadership development and alumni engagement across Oregon and Washington.

The role blends project management, communications, event planning, and stakeholder engagement to mobilize Native communities in the political process,

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in community advocacy, public policy, coalition building, nonprofit leadership, or nonprofit program work.
• Strong understanding of Native American history and urban Indian communities.
• Excellent project management, organization, and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment and coordinate the annual LEAD cohort selection.
• Plan and logistics for LEAD program events, including venues, meals, and graduations.
• Organize LEAD alumni events and engagement opportunities.
• Coordinate Legislative Days of Action activities in Oregon and Washington.
• Arrange advocacy events, town halls, and community forums.
• Support NAYA Action Fund communications, including social media and newsletters.
• Write policy and advocacy communications for outreach and engagement.
• Translate complex policy issues into accessible messaging for community members.

Skills

Project management

Organization

Planning

Attention to detail

Communication

Relationship-building

Active listening

Policy advocacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Communications, Political Science, Sociology, Urban Planning, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

CaseWorthy

Web research

Email communications

Job description

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 Roundtables, 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.

Who You Are

• 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.

What You'll Do

• 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 alumni to participate in civic engagement and advocacy.
• Support planning and logistics for Legislative Days of Action in Oregon and Washington, including scheduling meetings with legislators and policy staff, coordinating transportation and meeting spaces, creating agendas and maps, and organizing meals for participants.
• Coordinate advocacy events and community engagement opportunities, including Portland Youth and Elders Council meetings, Portland Indian Leader Roundtables, town halls, elected official tours, and community forums.
• Support NAYA Action Fund communications, including social media and electronic newsletters, to keep community members, partners, and stakeholders informed and engaged.
• Write policy and advocacy communications that generate excitement and participation in civic engagement.
• Translate complex policy issues into clear, accessible messaging for community members and partners.
• Maintain consistent communication and coordination with community partners, organizational leaders, presenters, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
• Track and maintain participant and funder data in CaseWorthy and other required systems.
• Pull and review participant reports and data to support program monitoring, funder reporting, program improvement, and grant writing.
• Take detailed meeting notes and minutes and ensure follow-up items are completed.
• Support coordination and alignment between NAYA Family Center and NAYA Action Fund programs.
• Manage deadlines, tasks, goals, and priorities independently while adapting to changing needs.
• Participate in trainings and meetings that support program outcomes and professional development.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle participant and organizational information appropriately.
• Represent NAYA Family Center and the NAYA Action Fund with professionalism at community events and public-facing opportunities.
• Work as an active and collaborative member of the department and across NAYA teams.
• Contribute to a safe and welcoming environment for community members and staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

NAYA is committed to building a work environment that respects and inspires every community member. Our mission is to serve Urban Native youth and families, so we strongly encourage members of the Native community to apply. We encourage applications from members of other historically marginalized groups as well, including women, people of color, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and those who have served in the military.