Philadelphia Coordinator, “Civic City” Initiative

Posted by Citizens Campaign on April 30, 2018

The Citizens Campaign Seeks Philadelphia Coordinator for “Civic City” Initiative

The Citizens Campaign is seeking a coordinator for the launch and execution of a city-wide effort with the goal of establishing Philadelphia as a model “Civic City”—one than can serve as an example for the nation. The three major components of this effort are: Solutions Civics for high school students; Power Civics- an advanced form of Solutions Civics– for college students and the general public; and the formation of a Philadelphia Civic Trust.  Taken together, these elements are designed to create a virtuous cycle of replenished civic leadership and mutually reinforcing civic activity.

Outlined below are brief descriptions of the main components of the initiative, a job description, qualifications, salary range, and background on The Citizens Campaign.    Email a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

Main Components:

Solutions Civics: Solutions Civics is a ten class teaching tool designed to fit in required American History/Social Studies classes It is being promoted as a best practice by the New Jersey Department of Education and has been endorsed by the New Jersey President of the AFT (American Federation of Teachers) and major NJ urban school district superintendents.  In Philadelphia, we will begin piloting Solutions Civics in the fall of 2018 with the goal of eventual widespread use in high schools throughout the City.

Power Civics (Solutions Civics for Adults): Power Civics combines the basic elements of Solutions Civics with more advanced guidance on how to devise and successfully implement a solution to a city issue outside the classroom. Power Civics will be available to Philadelphia residents online and in both community-wide and neighborhood forums. In New Jersey, more than 10,000 residents have attended a Power Civics forum or training over the years.

Civic Trusts: Civic Trusts are comprised of city residents; Civic Trustees who come together in monthly no-blame problem solving sessions.  With support from The Citizens Campaign’s law and policy experts, they work together to develop and advance solutions that leave their communities better than they found them.  Civic Trusts are thriving in Peth Amboy, Trenton, Newark, and Plainfield, NJ where they are successfully advancing evidence-based solutions to major problems as well as beginning to change the political culture to one that is less about blame and finger pointing and more about solving problems

Job Description: The Philadelphia Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the Philadelphia Civic City Initiative.

Responsibilities include:

• Recruiting high school social studies teachers both through school-wide enlistment and through individual teachers to teach Solutions Civics.
• Serving as a liaison with the school district, teacher’s union, principals, curriculum supervisors and any other stakeholders involved in the teaching of Solutions Civics.
• Conducting initial recruitment of Civic Trustees and then facilitating the operation of the Philadelphia Civic Trust with the goal of developing locally sustained operation of the Trust.
• Developing relationships with key universities, as well as non-profits and churches for the purposes of piloting Power Civics courses in colleges and facilitating Adult Power Civics Forums and for the sharing of Power Civics online.
• Attending weekly staff meetings at The Citizens Campaign headquarters in Metuchen, NJ.  (The job will be Philadelphia based.)

Qualifications:
• Strong Oral and Written Communications Skills
• Self-starting and proactive
• Experience in organizing or in teaching is preferable
• At least some experience or familiarity with politics and government
• College Degree minimum
• Good knowledge of the City

Salary Range: The salary for the position ranges from $40,000-$75,000 commensurate with experience.

Background:   Founded in 1998 by Harry and Caroline Pozycki, The Citizens Campaign is a community of problem solvers – government law and policy experts, business people, citizen journalists, civic leaders, students, teachers, parents, artists, entrepreneurs and more – dedicated to empowering citizens—students and adults alike– through civic leadership training in innovative problem solving to meet today’s challenges and provide an alternative to dysfunctional politics. Its mission is to create the new foundational supports needed to rebuild our democracy and to move a consideration of pragmatic solutions to the center of our politics and government.  Their work is guided by four core principles:  teach citizens to address common-purpose issues; develop evidence-based solutions; utilize our successful no-blame approach; and produce cost-effective results.   For more information, visit: http://www.thecitizenscampaign.org.