Program Assistant

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

Program Assistant

(Contract-based position located in Washington, DC)

ActiVote and the National Civic League

The National Civic League and ActiVote seek a highly motivated individual with communication, data, and research skills as well as the determination to help revitalize democracy in America. This is a contract-based position with long-term growth potential.

Description of Position

The National Civic League and ActiVote are partnering to support this position. We are maintaining and growing two large datasets and user bases (organizations on the Healthy Democracy Map, and voters on the ActiVote platform) that have tremendous potential for strengthening democracy in America. The two organizations have already collaborated on a voter behavior research project, civic measurement efforts, and NCL’s All-America City Awards. Candidates are encouraged to explore www.activote.net, www.ncl.org, and www.healthydemocracymap.org.

This position will focus on a range of tasks:

• Incorporating new election data into ActiVote dataset, and updating election information for voters
• Incorporating new organizational data in the Healthy Democracy Map
• Communications about both organizations and their initiatives, through social media and other venues
• Researching candidate views and positions
• Developing policy opinion questions, civics quiz questions, ‘civic explainer’ text, and infographics to be incorporated into the ActiVote platform
• Supporting work in pilot communities where local leaders are using ActiVote and the Map to understand the civic landscape and gauge citizen attitudes

This is an exempt, at-will, position operating under a three-month contract. We anticipate that it will be extended either through a subsequent contract or as a permanent position.

Terms: three-month contract for $15,000-$20,000

About Us

The mission of the National Civic League is to advance inclusive civic engagement and promote innovations in democracy to make decision-making more participatory, equitable, and effective. Founded in 1894 by Teddy Roosevelt and Louis Brandeis, the Civic League championed the democracy innovations of the early 20th Century. Today the League hosts the Center for Democracy Innovation (CDI), which works with communities across the U.S. to understand, test, and disseminate the next generation of civic innovations. The League also maintains the Model City Charter, organizes the All-America City Awards, publishes the National Civic Review, sustains the Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map, helps cities measure their civic engagement work, and supports an extensive national network of local elected, appointed, and civic leaders. More information is on our website, at www.ncl.org.

Launched in 2019, ActiVote is now the nation’s largest and fastest-growing voter education tool, and the only one to provide in-depth information on how users’ policy preferences match up with those of the candidates in the local, state, and national races in which they can cast a ballot. When they sign up for an account, ActiVote users give their demographic information and answer some questions about public issues. For each election in which they are voting, from school board to U.S. Senator, the user can then see, on an AI-powered chart, how their policy opinions compare with those of the candidates. With information about issues and pending legislation, modules that explain how governments work, a daily civics quiz, and other components, ActiVote has become a robust, nonpartisan personal democracy aid.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work; AND

At least one year of responsible professional experience in a nonprofit or government agency performing similar work. This experience may include internships.

Preferred Qualifications

The following supplemental experience, competencies and abilities are highly desirable for this position and will be considered in selecting the successful candidate:

• Outstanding skills and abilities in verbal and written communications, including the ability to adapt a style to fit varying audiences;
• Facility with Airtable or other relational databases;
• Some experience with SQL or R programming;
• Understanding and experience with social media and communication platforms such as Hootsuite, Constant Contact, WordPress, Salesforce, and Adobe Creative Cloud;
• Some experience with qualitative and quantitative research, preferably including data scraping and coding;
• Ability to work well with colleagues and outside interests regardless of position and authority;
• Excellent skills in project management, including establishing goals and timetables, tactical plans, monitoring progress and reporting out;
• Ability and motivation to develop creative solutions to complex challenges; and
• Ability to adapt work behavior and methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles.

To Apply:

Please send a résumé with cover letter to Matt Leighninger at mattl@ncl.org. This position announcement will be open until filled, so please send your information or any questions soon.

The National Civic League is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and does not discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment on account of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, or otherwise as may be prohibited by federal and state law.