Organizational Overview 
Rocketship Education (www.rsed.org) is a network of public K through 5 charter schools serving primarily low-income students in neighborhoods where access to excellent schools is limited.  Using a blend of traditional instruction, adaptive technology and targeted tutoring, Rocketship strives to meet the unique needs of each and every student. But we believe that truly transformative schools do more than educate students; they empower teachers, engage parents and inspire communities. Together, we can eliminate the achievement gap in our lifetime. 

Rocketship schools are located in San Jose, Milwaukee, Nashville, and Washington, D.C., but we realize the achievement gap stretches across the nation. We're opening new schools every year to help reach the millions of students striving in underperforming schools every day. 

The Position 

The Education Organizer DC Area, is a full-time, exempt position that will lead the region’s strategy and work in engaging and investing in parent leadership, to ensure that Rocketship is building a strong base of parents and families who will ensure that Rocketship’s impact extends throughout DC and far beyond K-5. This position will be primarily based in Ward 7 and Ward 8 of the DC region

Key Responsibilities 

• Build and lead the mission-critical work around parent engagement, leadership, and advocacy; 
• Actively engage Rocketship parents in further investing in their leadership skills and organizing around expanding Rocketship’s impact; 
• Complete 20 one-on-one relational meetings every week with current and potential parent leaders and other important stakeholders; 
• Foster relationships and develop champions with school leaders, community based organizations, faith leaders, elected officials, civic and community leaders that lead to positive engagement of the community and neighborhoods where Rocketship has and will have a presence; 
• Lead the implementation and development of Rocketship’s parent empowerment and advocacy model to ensure that parents are deeply engaged in Rocketship’s work and are highly effective advocates for educational reform throughout the city; 
• Develop and implement parental engagement strategies that lead to a meaningful parent-led advocacy and activism. Advise on school-level strategies in support of parent empowerment; 
• Support all charter renewal and application processes in order to support all high performing Rocketship schools to be successfully renewed and further develop Rocketship’s impact and growth in DC. 
• Have significant evening and weekend work.

Required Qualifications

This is an outstanding opportunity to play a critical role in public education reform in the DC area and beyond. The DC Senior Education Organizer must believe that no student’s life is subject to the destiny of demographics. 
The successful candidate will have the following skills and experience: 
• The ability to position Rocketship in the policy arena as an agent for positive change through strong communication and strategic skills; 
• Two or more years as a community organizer or deeply engaged in grassroots movements; 
• Demonstrated ability to interact and cultivate support among diverse constituencies, including public officials, key external agencies and stakeholders; 
• A bachelor’s degree preferred (significant relevant experience considered). 
• A valid driver’s license and access to a car for transportation. 

The ideal candidate will also possess some combination of the following:
• In-depth experience managing and/or leading community organizing campaigns; 
• Experience inside or working with an urban, public school district; 
• Experience with DC politics; 
• Desire to learn and openness to challenge; 
• Strong public speaking, writing, and analytical skills; 
• Capacity to think strategically and critically about social, economic, cultural, and political issues affecting a community; 
• A significant network of local and community officials to aid in Rocketship’s local work and impact; 
• A results-oriented, goal-driven, team approach to work; 
• Confidence and persuasiveness compelling enough to bring divergent groups together; 
• Experience working in a high-growth (100% annual growth) start-up environment; 
• A sense of urgency; 
• A self-starter 
• An ability to adapt within an ever changing landscape with competing priorities

How to Apply
To submit your resume, cover letter and other materials, please visit http://www.rsed.org/.

Rocketship Education provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Rocketship Education complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Rocketship Education expressly prohibits any form of unlawful employee harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Rocketship Education's employees to perform their expected job duties is absolutely not tolerated.