Overview

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of high-performing public charter schools dedicated to providing an exceptional K-12 education in economically disadvantaged communities. Operating in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester, we are committed to closing the college completion gap and preparing every student for college and beyond.

Role Summary

The Associate, External Affairs plays a vital role in building and sustaining strong relationships between Uncommon Schools Camden, local community leaders, officeholders, and the families we serve. Operating within the Regional External Affairs team, this position supports local community engagement, coordinates parent advocacy initiatives, and assists with regional governance and board operations. The Associate manages school tours, regional social media platforms, and community outreach programs to deepen community connections and broaden access to high-quality public education across Camden.

Responsibilities

Community & Local External Engagement

• •Execute the local external engagement strategy by building relationships with community leaders, advocates, and elected officials through school visits, meetings, and community-based projects.
• •Maintain a regular presence at community events and meetings across the region to deepen connections between schools and the communities served.
• •Oversee and manage the monthly tour schedule for prospective parents, educators, and donors.
• •Maintain partner databases, ensuring accurate data entry and ongoing data integrity.

Parent Advocacy & Family Engagement

• •Implement parent engagement strategies by supporting the core parent advocacy group through consistent programming.
• •Identify and train new parent leaders across schools to engage with local leaders, organize advocacy initiatives, and support school-based community engagement.
• •Activate parent leaders to engage with prospective families and support student recruitment efforts to drive new applications.
• •Lead non-partisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote campaigns in coordination with Camden schools and local community partners.

Governance & Board Support

• •Support the annual Board of Trustees scope and sequence, including scheduled presentations, discussion topics, and key approvals.
• •Execute project plans for board meeting preparation, including information gathering, monthly communications, and packet creation.
• •Provide operational and logistical support for board meetings, including room setup, technology assistance, and note-taking.
• •Facilitate the submission and approval process of board resolutions between internal teams and the Board of Trustees.

Communications & Operations

• •Manage regional social media accounts (Instagram and Facebook) by gathering content at schools, editing videos, writing captions, and scheduling weekly posts.
• •Maintain updates for regional website pages and coordinate school newsletters.
• •Provide event planning and logistical support for regional meetings and community activities.
• •Run routine budget processes, including purchasing tasks and invoice processing.

Required Qualifications

• •1-2 years of relevant experience in community outreach, external affairs, regional operations, project coordination, or communications.
• •Associate degree or technical education.
• •Strong interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills to initiate and maintain relationships with diverse partners.
• •Demonstrated organizational skills with the ability to build and maintain efficient administrative systems.
• •Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook), Google Applications, and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram).
• •Flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, and weekends as needed for community meetings and events.
• •Ability to travel independently to schools and community events across the Camden region.

Preferred Qualifications

• •Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, External Affairs, Communications, or a related field.
• •Knowledge of the Camden and New Jersey public education, charter school, and local community landscape.
• •Professional fluency in Spanish.

Physical Requirements

• •Ability to engage in moderate physical activity, including standing or walking continuously, setting up equipment/materials, and carrying objects weighing 20-40 lbs.

Compensation & Benefits

• •Compensation range: $52,000-$61,200; typical starting salary near $55,100 for candidates who fully meet qualifications.
• •Regional holidays and sustainability days aligned with school-based staff, plus flexible summer PTO.
• •Extensive training and professional development.
• •Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans plus pre-tax FSA, DCFSA, and HSA accounts.
• •New Jersey Pension program.
• •Paid leave of absence options (parental, medical, disability, etc.).
• •Mental health and counseling support plus wellness benefits.