External Affairs Associate

Apply by August 13, 2024

As part of the Community Impact Team, the Associate’s work is focused on nurturing and supporting the proximity of our work with communities served. The vision of this position is to manage the feedback loop between Community Solutions’ work with policy makers and community members – including neighborhood leaders, advocates, and nonprofit service providers. Provides professional research, analysis, and project organization and support with only general guidance and supervision.  

The External Affairs Associate’s work is focused on nurturing and supporting the proximity of our work with communities

Essential job tasks

‍Using computers; writing; collection and analysis of information, trends, and ideas; planning; problem solving utilizing independent judgment and discretion; building relationships with members of community, professionals, and decision makers; influencing opinions through verbal and written communications. 

Essential competencies

‍Teamwork; versatility; attention to detail; project planning; collection of data and data entry; analysis of information and ideas; general and technical writing; proofreading; public speaking; building rapport with community members of all backgrounds; statistics; knowledge of health and social issues, policy, and politics; knowledge and proficient use of Microsoft Office, Teams, Outlook, and social media applications; ability to perform several tasks concurrently.   

Essential job responsibilities and results  

Share Community Solutions’ work with external stakeholders and be an ambassador for our organization 

Build and maintain contacts and connections with organizations and individuals in the community, including local leaders such as City and County government officials, philanthropic funders, neighborhood leaders, and service providers. Maintain contact lists and collaborate with the Communications team.

Collaborate with the Community Impact and Policy teams, facilitating connections for other Community Solutions staff; make introductions and identify opportunities for colleagues to present to groups

Follow developments in federal, state, and county policy on areas of interest to the community and aligned with Community Solutions’ priorities. Summarize, distill, and share complex information about legislative proposals and agency decisions in ways that are relevant to people with lived experience and public audiences.

Produce content for Community Solutions to share with advocates and our local (greater Cleveland) audience to keep them informed. Write reports, briefs, articles, blogs, and news releases for publication or to share with community partners.

‍Present in person and on virtual platforms to a variety of audiences. Facilitate formal and informal conversations with a wide range of diverse individuals and groups

Provide policy updates to external stakeholders as requested collaborating with the policy team. Deliver advocacy trainings and provide technical support to key partners and priority initiatives.

Identify, define, recommend, and act upon health and social issues through analysis of data and ideas, planning, encouraging collaboration among interested parties

Bring intelligence to Community Solutions about issues facing the greater Cleveland community and recommendations for policy improvements

Other duties as assigned 

Qualifications and Preferred Skills  

• Combination of education and experience normally represented by a bachelor’s degree in a health-related, social sciences or public administration field, plus at least two years of experience in a similar position.  

• Familiarity with Cleveland and Cuyahoga County’s nonprofit sector providers, leadership, stakeholders is preferred. (Bilingual in Spanish is a plus)  

• Demonstrate the ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across diverse cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities and races.  

• Use of a personal or home phone for business purposes when working hybrid is required. Must have reliable transportation to attend work meetings.

Benefits package  

• Ample paid time off including 3 personal days, at least 3 weeks of paid vacation, and 15 paid sick days annually, 11 paid holidays per year, and a week-long office closure between Christmas and New Year.

• 401(k) retirement plan with automatic employer contribution of 3% of salary plus employer match of 0.5% for every 1% of employee contribution up to 4% of salary.

• Annual budget for professional development which covers conferences, training, and associated travel.

• Tuition reimbursement opportunities for current students and support for employees seeking student loan forgiveness as employees of a nonprofit organization.

• High deductible health plan with employer covering 100% of the premium for the employee’s coverage and a monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account on the employee’s behalf.

• Main offices in Class A office buildings in central downtown location with lake views in Cleveland and overlooking Columbus Commons in Columbus. Access to building amenities including free access to the fitness center in the Cleveland building.  

Culture and environment

The Center for Community Solutions is a permanent hybrid working environment. All employees are expected to work from their assigned office in Downtown Cleveland or off Capitol Square in Columbus at least two days per week. At this time, remote work locations must be within the state of Ohio.

Employees of The Center for Community Solutions are expected to be up to date on their vaccinations, including an annual flu shot and COVID-19 boosters.

All staff must understand and value racial equity as an organizational operating principle and be committed to continued learning on issues related to race, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

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Reports to: Director, Community Impact

Salary range: $56,000 - $70,000

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‍Employment and tenure with The Center for Community Solutions are based on the “at will” principle of employment. The Center for Community Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/D/SO.

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