DIRECTOR OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

Dolores Huerta Foundation; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 90 - 130; Full time

Job summary

The Dolores Huerta Foundation seeks a Director of Civic Engagement to lead and expand civic initiatives on-site in Bakersfield, CA. The role oversees programs, guides staff and volunteers, and builds local partnerships while ensuring alignment with mission and budgets.

The director collaborates with leadership to expand impact, supports fundraising efforts related to civic engagement, and represents the organization at events and in media as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong Program Management skills, including planning, implementing, and evaluating community-based initiatives.
• Excellent Communication skills, with the ability to speak, write, and present clearly to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated Team Leadership experience, including supervising staff and volunteers and fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture.
• Consulting skills to advise community partners and stakeholders on civic engagement strategies and best practices.
• Effective Project Management skills, with experience managing multiple projects, timelines, and budgets.
• Experience in community organizing, civic engagement, or related social justice work.
• Ability to work on-site in Bakersfield, CA and travel locally for community events and meetings.
• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, social sciences, nonprofit management, or a related field; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and the mission of the Dolores Huerta Foundation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee civic engagement programs with planning, implementation, and evaluation to boost participation.
• Lead staff and volunteers in campaigns, meetings, trainings, and outreach.
• Build and maintain relationships with local partners, coalitions, and stakeholders.
• Manage budgets and timelines; supervise team members and develop strategic plans.
• Prepare reports and presentations; align activities with organizational goals.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to identify impact opportunities and fundraising support.
• Represent the foundation at public events and in media as needed.

Skills

Program Management

Communication

Team Leadership

Consulting

Project Management

Community Organizing

Public Speaking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, social sciences, nonprofit management, or a related field

Job description

Company Description

The Dolores Huerta Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring and mobilizing communities to advance social justice. The foundation focuses on grassroots organizing in Civic Engagement, Education Equity, Health and Safety, and LGBTQIA+ Equality. It centers the voices and experiences of those most directly affected by inequity, recognizing their expertise in addressing community challenges. By providing tools, training, and resources, the foundation supports volunteer organizations in developing and implementing community-driven solutions. Team members join a mission-driven environment that values empowerment, collaboration, and long-term systemic change.

Role Description

The Director of Civic Engagement is a full-time, on-site role based in Bakersfield, CA. This role oversees civic engagement programs, including planning, implementing, and evaluating initiatives that increase voter participation, community advocacy, and policy awareness. The director leads staff and volunteers in organizing campaigns, community meetings, trainings, and outreach activities, while building strong relationships with local partners, coalitions, and stakeholders. Day-to-day responsibilities include managing program budgets and timelines, supervising team members, developing strategic plans, preparing reports and presentations, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals. The director also collaborates with senior leadership to identify opportunities for impact, support fundraising efforts related to civic engagement, and represent the foundation at public events and in media as needed.

Qualifications

• Strong Program Management skills, including planning, implementing, and evaluating community-based initiatives.
• Excellent Communication skills, with the ability to speak, write, and present clearly to diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated Team Leadership experience, including supervising staff and volunteers and fostering an inclusive, collaborative culture.
• Consulting skills to advise community partners and stakeholders on civic engagement strategies and best practices.
• Effective Project Management skills, with experience managing multiple projects, timelines, and budgets.
• Experience in community organizing, civic engagement, or related social justice work.
• Ability to work on-site in Bakersfield, CA and travel locally for community events and meetings.
• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, social sciences, nonprofit management, or a related field; relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and the mission of the Dolores Huerta Foundation.