Director of Citizenship Engagement

KIPP Texas Public Schools is a network of 59 public charter, open-enrollment, pre-k-12 schools educating nearly 34,000 students across Austin, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Together with families and communities, our mission is to create joyful, academically excellent schools that prepare students with the skills and confidence to pursue the paths they choose —college, career, and beyond—so they can lead fulfilling lives and build a more just world.

Founded in Houston in 1994, and operating as KIPP Texas since 2018, our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism in our classrooms, in our offices, and in the communities we serve is unwavering. We are looking to hire a diverse team of dynamic, collaborative, and dedicated individuals with an unyielding belief that every child will succeed. Join our Team and Family and champion equity, chase excellence, persist with purpose, bring joy, and help us rise together.

KIPP Texas is part of the national KIPP network of 255 college-preparatory public charter schools in 20 states and the District of Columbia. Nationwide, KIPP students complete four-year college at a rate of 36 percent, comparable to the national average for all students and approximately three times higher than the average of students from low-income communities.

APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS ROLE IS GRANT FUNDED FOR 3 YEARS.

The Advocacy Team, is a sub-team under the broader Advancement Team, and exists to engage political stakeholders and advocates, empower communities on civic leadership and engagement, and educate families on the pathway to citizenship. More specifically, the team leads the statewide, local, and municipal advocacy efforts by engaging with elected officials and members of the community,  monitoring sessions, key legislation and advocacy efforts, actively engaging with organizations supporting Charters Schools, and ensuring that all senior leadership is updated and informed. The team leads civic engagement activities that support and empower our KIPPsters and their families on their path to becoming civically informed and engaged citizens. Members of this Team support and/or lead all aspects of the Citizenship Services Program as outlined in the Houston Endowment Grant.  Additionally, this team supports initiatives outlined in the KIPP Texas multi year plan. 

Role Overview

The Director of Citizenship Engagement, a member of the Advocacy Team, will be based in Houston, Texas and  will report directly to the Senior Director, Advocacy and Community Engagement . The Director will be responsible for coordinating and supporting the design and scoping, planning, execution and progress monitoring of the KIPP Texas Citizenship Services Program. This three-year, grant funded program will pave the path to citizenship for KIPP Texas students, families, and surrounding community members with green card status, and will provide a variety of learning and community organizing opportunities for our students, families, and community members. In addition to having the ability to organize and successfully carry out all aspects of this program, the ideal candidate will also be well-connected within the community, and will be  a proven problem solver who can leverage impact and influence to find clarity in complex and gray situations. 

Projects belonging to this role will primarily  focus on the KIPP Texas Citizenship Services Program which will include: building trusting relationships and coordinating with a variety of internal and external stakeholders; ensuring compliance with the commitments outlined as part of this grant-funded position; planning and carrying out all aspects of informational meetings; creating surveys, data collection, and creating reports; finding and vetting prospective programmatic partners and supporters; supporting with other departmental projects.  

This position will be based in Houston, TX. Some travel may be required. 

Key Responsibilities

• Complex Problem Solving: Balance a data-driven, analytical, and rational problem solving skill set with the understanding that people and relationships matter (leading with both head and heart). Utilize both qualitative and quantitative data synthesis to formulate recommended solutions on the right path forward. Engage in innovative thinking and strategies to navigate challenges and obstacles that may arise. Demonstrate an adaptive mindset with an ability to concurrently see the big picture while focusing on the details (can see the forest for the trees).

• Project Design and Planning: With the support of other members of the team, lead, develop and implement the systematic process model for the KIPP Texas Citizenship Services program and ensure all commitments outlined in the grant are fulfilled, including the identification of participants, citizenship and ESL classes, creation of an immigration forum, family and community awareness program, design and implement the participant recruitment program.  

• Stakeholder Management: Identify all key internal and external stakeholders for the Citizenship Services Project, and create an engagement plan that engages stakeholders at the right level and right time, including: families, community members, staff, relevant non-profit organizations, service providers, etc. Ensure all engagement opportunities are organized by: developing agendas, ensuring the right people are invited/present. The success of the project will include creating and facilitating a cross-functional work group/project team, organizing meetings, engaging senior leaders across the network, and drafting communications and updates to various stakeholder groups. Intentionally build buy-in and gather feedback on the project when appropriate. Build influence across KIPP Texas to ensure project success. Vett and establish relationships with relevant community service providers, and where appropriate, coordinate with various stakeholders to formalize the partnership(s) through an MOU/MOA.

• Progress Monitoring: In collaboration with the data-tracking partner, create, revise, and maintain the systems to monitor progress throughout the life of the Citizenship Services program, including gathering qualitative and quantitative data. Provide updates during regular check-ins with the Grants Team to review data and compliance with the expectations outlined in the Houston Endowment NOGA. Ensure that all aspects of the project are completed on time, within scope and budget, and that project goals are achieved. Prepare outcomes and progress reports as requested.

• Leadership and Management: Participate and support with the Advocacy Team leadership through the participation in specified leadership roles, sessions, activities, and support opportunities. The Director of Citizenship Engagement will be responsible for the supervision, coaching and growth of the Coordinator of Citizenship Engagement.

• Team Culture: Contribute to Advancement Team culture through authentic engagement and participation in meetings and retreats. Participate actively in development opportunities, including diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEI-B) sessions, and lead sessions for the team as asked and/or interested. Give honest, constructive feedback via established feedback mechanisms (e.g., staff surveys) to ensure the continued improvement of the team and the organization. Seek to work by the values of the organization and to act in alignment with the Advancement Team’s community agreements. Represent the Advancement Team responsibly to other stakeholders within and outside the organization.

Required Education and/or Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree  

• 3+ years of experience

• Fluent in Spanish 

• Supporting immigrant populations, deep knowledge and understanding of the path to citizenship, preferred, not required

Skills and Qualifications 

• Demonstrated ability to have impact and influence across multiple functional areas (e.g., student based mental health and wellness, operations, finance, school-based staff, school support partners, etc.).

• Articulate, professional demeanor with strong self-confidence and initiative. 

• Experience fostering strong working relationships with critical internal and external stakeholders

• Excellent analytical, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.

• Excellent organizational and planning skills.

• Excellent listening and verbal communication skills.

• Strong internal and external stakeholder management and service-orientation.

• Self-directed and results-oriented, demonstrating proactivity and follow-through.

• Experience with charter or charter-like schools, non-profit strategy, non-profit immigrant/citizenship organization, and/or with students/families in low-income urban environments is preferred, not required.

• Ability to model KIPP’s values at all times

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

• Considerable time is spent at a desk using a computer/laptop

• Attending conferences or training sessions

Work Environment

• Typical office environment with frequent interruptions. 

• Work schedule will include hybrid and in office work

• This role is based in Houston, TX

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel to various locations throughout Houston and the greater metropolitan area, with periodic travel to other KIPP Texas regions.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary is based on years of experience, degree of education, and level of expertise.

As a full-time KIPP Texas employee you are eligible to participate in all KIPP Texas’ benefit plans. KIPP Texas offers a robust variety of benefits choices with competitive rates, including medical, dental, and vision options, life insurance, and disability plans.

KIPP provides equal employment opportunities for all applicants and employees. As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration of race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.

Travel Requirements

• Able to travel to KIPP campuses, local college/university campuses and other career/training campuses as needed.
• Able to travel for home visits with alumni and families as necessary