JOB DESCRIPTION

 
Since 1966, the Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) has been dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality, and cost-effective educational programs and services to meet the diverse needs of children and adults in Greater Hartford. Serving 33 member districts and reaching additional communities statewide, CREC supports approximately 12,000 students annually through more than 120 educational programs. Our offerings include professional learning and coaching for educators, specialized programming for students with diverse needs, and PreK-12 education across 16 interdistrict magnet schools. Additionally, CREC provides school construction, operations, and cooperative business services, while also delivering programs that help adults build real, job-ready skills.
Since 1966, the Hartford Region Open Choice Program (formally Project Concern) has been empowering Hartford families in education by offering Hartford students the opportunity to attend public schools in suburban towns, and suburban students the opportunity to attend public schools in Hartford, at no cost to the student's family.
The goal of the Open Choice Program is to improve academic achievement, reduce racial, ethnic and economic isolation and provide all children with a choice of high quality educational programs. The Capitol Region Education Council (CREC) is one of three agencies in Connecticut that is legislatively mandated to manage the statewide program. Open Choice is funded by the State Department of Education and works in collaboration with the Regional School Choice Office (RSCO). The Open Choice Program supports over 2,500 schools that attend 139 schools across 27 districts throughout the Hartford region.
 

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Open Choice Program Community Engagement Specialist supports families through the enrollment and transition process into the Hartford Region Open Choice Program while also leading the launch and growth of the alumni network. As an outward-facing community representative, this individual engages students, families, alumni, cultivates mentoring opportunities, and develops networks that strengthen the program’s long-term impact. This position, like all positions within the program, is grant-funded and subject to annual renewal based on continued funding.

 
 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

            

Duties/Responsibilities

Student Transition Support   Guide Open Choice students and families through enrollment and school transition processes. Maintain focused touchpoints with schools enrolling a significant number of students. Support high school seniors as they transition into the alumni network. Apply knowledge of school-based functions, special education processes, and community support to promote positive academic outcomes.

Alumni Engagement & Network Development   Build and maintain a comprehensive alumni Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database. Develop and implement an alumni engagement strategy, including events, mentorship opportunities, and digital communications. Collect alumni stories and feedback to support program advocacy and development efforts. Lead alumni-focused social media strategy and engagement initiatives.

Community Engagement & Partnerships   Identify and maintain relationships with community based organizations Represent Open Choice at community events along with CREC and Regional School Choice Office sponsored events to increase program visibility and strengthen connections. Responsible for leading and executing community development and grassroots marketing initiatives

Outreach & Recruitment

           

Lead the development and execution of targeted student/family outreach strategies, tabling, and virtual sessions to meet Regional School Choice Office Open Choice enrollment targets. Strategize the development of marketing and outreach materials. Solicit alumni demographics.

Development & Donor Engagement   In collaboration with the CREC Foundation Identify potential individual, corporate, and foundation donors/grants aligned with the Open Choice mission. Lead in coordinating special events and donor communications. Track donor engagement and stewardship activities.

Support schools in building relationships that foster strong partnerships with community organizations and enhance the effectiveness of communication between Open Choice families and districts.

Work collaboratively with the CREC School Choice team, parents, and districts to ensure all incoming Open Choice families, grades Pre-K through 12, experience a positive connection with their receiving school.

Comply with all company policies and procedures.

Other duties as assigned.

 
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

 
This position has no supervisory responsibility.
 

COMPETENCIES:

 

• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Teamwork - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale

and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs work flows and procedures though knowledge of Powerschool and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software tools .
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Written & Oral Communication - Speaks and writes clearly; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Speaks and writes clearly and informatively; Varies communication style to meet needs; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings. Must be comfortable with public speaking and initiating outreach through cold calls.
• Diversity & Ethics - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences and diverse communities; Treats people with respect; Educates others on the value of diversity; Promotes a harassment-free environment; Builds a diverse workforce; Keeps commitments; Works with integrity; Upholds organizational values.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.

 
 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

• Bachelor's Degree (BA) from four-year college or university, or four to six years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Able to attend all School Choice events with flexibility to work evenings and weekends
• School based experience
• Broad network and knowledge of community based organizations in Hartford and surrounding towns that can support and enhance student/family experience

  

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Motor Vehicle Operator's License or ability to provide transportation to job sites, meetings, trainings, and professional learning opportunities as required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

 
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 

• Standing (frequently, 1/3 – 2/3)
• Walking (frequently, 1/3 – 2/3)
• Sitting (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Reach with hands and arms (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Climbing or balancing (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Ability to work outdoors (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Lifting up to 50 lbs. (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Carrying up to 50 lbs. (occasionally, less than 1/3)
• Moderate Noise

  

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

 

• Group Health Insurance Plans
• Basic & Supplemental Life Insurance
• Long Term Disability & Short Term Disability options
• 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan with Employer Matching Contribution if applicable
• Flexible Spending Account Pre-Tax Savings for Health Care, Dependent Care, and Limited Purpose Post Deductible (if contributing to an HSA)
• Comprehensive benefit time package
• Employee Assistance Program
• Bereavement time & Religious Holidays
• Credit Union Access
• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Employee Network Groups
• Access to professional learning opportunities with two fully paid courses through CREC University each year, empowering you to expand your skills and advance your career!