Working Partnerships USA Civic Engagement Manager San Jose, CA · Full time
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Working people are ready to govern — and this role exists to help make that possible. Working Partnerships (Silicon Valley Rising) is looking for a Civic Engagement Manager who wants to become the in-house architect of how we win: through doors knocked, voters turned out, members recruited, and communities mobilized. This is a role for someone who has run electoral or issue campaigns and knows what it takes to move people — and who is ready to bring that expertise inside an organization where it can drive a long-term power-building strategy. As our Civic Engagement Manager, you will serve as the organization's lead thinker and practitioner on electoral outreach, canvass strategy, and data-driven field programs. You won't just implement campaigns — you'll shape how we approach them, build the systems that make them work, and bring your strategic thinking to bear across both our 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) programs. You will be a key thought partner to our Deputy Director and Organizing Director, helping the organization leverage its canvass, outreach, and civic engagement infrastructure for base-building and power-building goals. This is not a management role, but it carries significant responsibility. You will be trusted to lead thinking, drive planning, and provide hands-on guidance that elevates the work of organizing and political teams across the organization. If you're someone who has cut your teeth in campaign work and is looking for a place to plant roots, build something lasting, and put your skills in service of a working-class movement — this role is for you. This role is part of the bargaining unit represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.

About Working Partnerships USA

Working Partnerships USA is a community organization bringing together the power of grassroots organizing and public policy innovation to drive the movement for a just economy. Based in Silicon Valley, we tackle the root causes of inequality and poverty by leading collaborative campaigns for family-sustaining jobs, stable and affordable housing, healthy communities, and a democracy where all our voices are heard.

Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 


1. Electoral Outreach Strategy & In-House Expertise

  • Serve as the organization's internal expert on electoral field strategy, including voter registration, education, turnout, and voter protection programs across our c3 and c4 work.
  • Develop and lead the strategic planning of canvass and outreach programs for electoral campaigns, providing lead thinking and guidance to the Deputy Director and Organizing Director on electoral field strategy and deployment.
  • Build and steward the systems, tools, and best practices that make our electoral outreach effective, scalable, and aligned with our broader power-building goals.
  • Stay current on trends, tools, and innovations in electoral field organizing and bring that knowledge into the organization.
  • Stay informed on relevant policy developments, legislative trends, and movement spaces - including voting rights, democracy reform, and civic participation - and make strategic recommendations to leadership on how the organization engages its vibrant democracy portfolio.
  • Ensure all civic engagement activities are properly structured and tracked in compliance with c3/c4 legal requirements.

2. Issue-Based Canvassing & Advocacy Campaign Support

  • Lead the design and execution of canvass programs for issue-based advocacy campaigns, including campaigns advancing housing justice, workers' rights, and a just economy.
  • Provide strategic guidance on integrating canvass and field outreach into membership drives and base-building efforts.
  • Work closely with the organizing team to ensure canvass programs are building relationships and leadership, not just completing contact goals.
  • Support the development of canvass scripts, training materials, and outreach frameworks that reflect our organizing values and move people along a ladder of engagement.

3. Data Management & Field Systems

  • Own the organization's civic engagement data infrastructure — including VAN/PDI administration, list management, reporting, and integration with organizing tools.
  • Develop data tracking practices and reporting systems that allow the organization to measure impact, evaluate program effectiveness, and make strategic decisions.
  • Train and support organizing and outreach staff on proper data hygiene, tool use, and reporting.
  • Ensure data practices comply with applicable legal and ethical standards across c3 and c4 programs.

4. Seasonal Team Recruitment & Leadership 

  • Lead the screening, interviewing, hiring and day-to-day management of short-term engagement teams, including canvassers, outreach workers, and seasonal elections staff. 
  • Develop training processes that get seasonal staff up to speed quickly and set them up to be effective civic engagement organizers.
  • Ensure seasonal teams are well-supported, accountable to program goals, and integrated into the broader organizational culture. 

5. Cross-Team Strategic Support

  • Act as a strategic thought partner to the Deputy Director and Organizing Director on how to leverage canvass and outreach programs for power-building and base-building goals.
  • Work across departments to align civic engagement efforts with issue campaigns, membership growth, and organizational priorities.
  • Represent the organization in coalition spaces, electoral tables, and with community and labor partners.
  • Promote organizational values of equity, inclusion, and working-class power in all aspects of the work.

This job description reflects the general nature and level of the role and is not intended to be all-inclusive. Duties and responsibilities may be modified as organizational needs evolve.


Required Qualifications

  • Minimum 2–3 years of experience running electoral or political outreach campaigns, including direct experience managing canvass programs.
  • Demonstrated fluency with electoral field tools, including VAN/PDI, Mobilize, peer-to-peer texting platforms, and/or CRM systems — including data entry, list management, and basic reporting.
  • Experience designing and running canvass programs, including script development, turf-cutting, and training canvassers or volunteers.
  • Strong strategic thinking skills — ability to see how field tactics connect to larger organizing and political goals.
  • Deep commitment to racial, economic, and social justice, and demonstrated experience working in and alongside diverse working-class communities.
  • Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
  • Comfort working irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, during peak campaign periods.
  • Valid driver's license and reliable access to transportation.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Spanish fluency strongly preferred; other languages (Arabic, Vietnamese, etc.) a plus.
  • Experience in issue-based canvassing or advocacy campaigns, in addition to electoral work.
  • Familiarity with the Bay Area's political landscape, particularly San José.
  • Experience working on housing justice, labor rights, or gig worker campaigns.
  • Experience with digital organizing and integrating digital tools into field programs.
  • Background in training, coaching, or developing newer organizers or canvassers.


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical requirements listed are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Sit, bend, and reach with hands and arms.
  • Lift approximately 20-25 lbs. on occasion.
  • Occasional travel may be required.
  • Stand and move throughout the office.
  • Have consistent and reliable attendance.
  • Work under pressure with changing, ambiguous priorities.
  • High level of manual dexterity to adeptly type and use computer equipment.
  • Auditory and visual skills – Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
  • Communicate effectively and promptly to clients or employees of the organization.
  • High level of manual dexterity to adeptly type and use computer equipment.
  • Auditory and visual skills – Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. 


EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

The employee is expected to work 40 hours per week, must be available during core work hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.


COMPENSATION AND LOCATION 

Our office is located in North San Jose. The estimated annual salary for this position is between $84,000–$104,000, with commensurate qualifications and experience. Working Partnerships USA also offers robust benefits including:


  • Health, dental, and vision insurance, including access to acupuncture and chiropractic services via Kaiser/Sutter Health, Delta, VSP, and Landmark respectively
  • 10 days of annual paid vacation, which increases with tenure, and 15 paid holidays 
  • 12 days of annual sick leave
  • 401(k) with 7% employer contributions after your first 6 months of employment



Salary

$84,000 - $104,000 per year

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