Citizen Engagement Associate presso Issue One

Position: Citizen Engagement Associate

Status: Full-Time (40 hours per week, full benefits)

Reports to: VP, Citizen Engagement 

Salary Grade: Associate 

Salary Range: $60,000-$70,000

Location: DMV Region Preferred (Hybrid; in-office Tuesdays and Wednesdays required). Remote possible for high-quality candidates. 

Position:

The Citizen Engagement Associate plays a key role in advancing Issue One’s mission to build a stronger, more participatory democracy by supporting the Citizen Engagement team's work. Reporting to the Vice President of Citizen Engagement, the Associate will help manage and grow the Council for American Democracy (TCAD)—Issue One’s membership and organizing initiative that brings together civic leaders and advocates committed to safeguarding democracy.

This role blends program coordination, event planning, and communications support. The Associate will assist in planning and executing events, drafting correspondence and materials, tracking program metrics, and maintaining relationships with members and partners. Working collaboratively with internal teams across Advancement, Advocacy, and Communications, the Associate ensures that TCAD and other engagement initiatives are well-coordinated, strategic, and impactful.

The ideal candidate is an organized, proactive, and detail-oriented professional with excellent communication skills and a passion for democracy reform, civic engagement, and coalition-building. They’ll manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines and maintaining design excellence.

Responsibilities:

Communications and Outreach (30%)

• Draft and edit TCAD newsletters, emails, and stakeholder correspondence.
• Support the development of event materials, membership updates, and website content related to Citizen Engagement initiatives.
• Maintain a contact database and ensure stakeholder lists are accurate and up to date.
• Coordinate with Communications and Advancement teams to ensure messaging consistency and timely dissemination.
  
  

Event Planning and Coordination (25%)

• Assist in planning and executing briefings, town halls, and forums for TCAD and broader civic engagement events.
• Coordinate logistics, including venue arrangements, participant outreach, materials preparation, and follow-up communication.
• Support event registration, promotion, and onsite logistics (in-person or virtual).
• Document event outcomes and feedback to inform future programming.
  
  

Stakeholder and Membership Management (15%)

• Serve as a point of contact for TCAD members, ensuring prompt responses and ongoing engagement.
• Support efforts to expand TCAD’s reach by identifying potential members and managing follow-up communications.
• Help track member participation and contributions, maintaining detailed records in the membership database.
  
  

Program Tracking and Reporting (15%)

• Track key performance metrics related to events, member engagement, and program outcomes.
• Assist in developing reports and summaries for internal and external stakeholders.
• Contribute to evaluating program effectiveness and propose improvements where needed.
  
  

Team and Coalition Coordination (15%)

• Facilitate communication and collaboration among internal teams and external partners.
• Support cross-departmental meetings, taking notes, and managing follow-up tasks.
• Participate in internal planning sessions, brainstorming meetings, and strategy discussions.
• Provide administrative and technical support to ensure smooth coordination across the Citizen Engagement portfolio
  .

Job-Related Experience 

• 2–3 years of experience in program coordination, event planning, or stakeholder engagement in a nonprofit, campaign, or advocacy environment.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent experience.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and time management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Strong proficiency in Google Workspace, Microsoft Office, and basic project management tools.
• Demonstrated interest in democracy reform, civic engagement, or public policy.
  
  

Job-Related Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skilled in drafting professional communications, including newsletters and stakeholder updates.
• Experience supporting virtual or in-person event logistics.
• Comfortable learning new technology platforms and managing databases.
• Familiarity with tracking metrics and presenting data in clear, concise formats.
• Knowledge of communications tools such as Zoom, Mailchimp, or Canva is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills, including emotional intelligence and diplomacy.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a collaborative, team-oriented mindset.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.
• Commitment to inclusion, equity, and transparency in all aspects of work.
• A proactive and flexible approach to taking on new responsibilities as the program grows.
  
  

Decision Making 

The Associate independently decides:

• How to organize and prioritize daily tasks.
• Routine correspondence and communication with members and partners.
• Standard logistical coordination for meetings and events.
  
  

The Vice President of Citizen Engagement provides approval for:

• Significant tactical or strategic changes to engagement approaches.
• Formal communications to key stakeholders.
• Budgetary or contractual commitments.
  
  

This role carries no direct financial authority. 

Location

This is a full-time, salaried, and fully benefited position requiring 40 hours per week. 

This position is ideally based in the Washington, D.C. area and requires in-office presence on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Occasional travel may be required for events or meetings (approximately once per month). High-caliber candidates outside of the DMV area will be considered, but will require monthly travel to DC. 

Benefits 

Issue One has developed a comprehensive benefits package that invests in our staff to improve their health and promote a solid work-life balance. 

• All full-time employees are eligible for a platinum health plan, with Issue One paying 100% of the premium. The organization also covers 75% of the premium for all spouses and dependents of IO staff. 
• Staff receive over 50 paid days off annually, including holidays, vacation, personal time, and office-wide closures. 
• Issue One provides reimbursements and stipends for internet and commuting, and promotes a hybrid work environment that allows for working from home while establishing regular in-person office opportunities twice a week.
• Issue One offers wellness reimbursements and student loan assistance. Additionally, all staff members are encouraged to participate in professional development throughout the year, and the organization offers several opportunities for fun and fellowship. 
  
  

Physical Demands 

• Most work is carried out in an office-like environment, where projects are completed at a desk for extended periods and tasks are performed using a computer.
• During special events, the Associate may be required to stand for extended periods and travel occasionally.
• The Associate may need to lift, push, and/or carry items weighing more than ten (10) pounds.
• Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job as described.
  
  

Tentative Recruitment Timeline

• Nov. 13-Dec. 1: The position is posted, and resumes are collected 
• Dec. 4-8: Resumes are screened and top candidates are identified for interviews.
• Dec. 10-15: First-round panel interviews take place.
• Dec. 17-19: Second-round panel interviews with finalists take place.
• Dec. 22: Preferred candidate named and the role offered (contingent on a background check and verification of all educational credentials). 
• Jan. 7, 2026: New candidate begins (flexible start date) 
  
  

Special Note: While our organization will do its best to adhere to the above timeline, there may be instances in which the selection process is shortened or delayed due to circumstances beyond our control. The organizations will do their best to keep all selected candidates informed of any changes to the timeline. In addition, while resumes may be submitted after Dec. 1, there’s no guarantee they will be screened for a potential interview.

DEI Philosophy and Self-ID Questionnaire 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) drive everything we do. We celebrate each individual's unique perspectives and experiences to our team. Your voice matters to us, and we're committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

As part of our ongoing DEI efforts, we invite all applicants to complete our self-identification questionnaire on a voluntary basis. Rest assured, your responses are confidential and will not affect your job application. This survey helps us better understand our diverse community, ensuring everyone has equal opportunities for success.

Due to the volume of applications, we will unfortunately be unable to acknowledge receipt of all of them. No phone calls, please. 

Issue One is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities and all other employment laws and regulations. We intend to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation because of age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status, gender identity or expression), pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decisions, marital status, personal appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, credit information, employment status, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), veteran status, uniformed service member status, status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking, homeless status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. Issue One is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy in regard to all aspects of employment, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, transfer, training, promotion, rates of pay, fringe benefits, and other compensation, the application of disability and/or temporary disability policies, termination, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.