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Community Organizer

Reports to Job Role: Sr. Director Community Change Partnership

FLSA: Exempt

Employee Factor: 40

R/S/T/O/I: Regular

Level: Team Member  

Descriptive Summary

The Community Organizer for the Opportunity Neighborhood (ON) initiative plays a vital role in cultivating strong, equitable communities where children, youth, and families can thrive. Using a collective impact and community-driven approach, the Community Organizer helps elevate resident voices, strengthen networks of mutual support, and connect families to opportunities and resources—supporting ON’s mission to build cradle-to-career pathways for success.

Working under the direction of the Strategy Manager and Lead Organizer, the Community Organizer develops trusting relationships with residents, schools, nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and Fairfax County partners. The Organizer leads culturally competent outreach, neighborhood activation, event coordination, and resident leadership development. This role requires a deep commitment to racial and social equity, strong interpersonal skills, and a hands-on presence in the community.

Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Core Responsibilities
Resident Engagement & Leadership Development

• Build authentic, trusting, and consistent relationships with residents, resident leaders, and community stakeholders.
• Facilitate and support outreach strategies including door-to-door canvassing, tabling, and informal and formal conversations to understand needs and strengthen engagement.
• Organize and support focus groups, listening sessions, and surveys to identify community needs, strengths, and priorities.
• Engage and empower residents, particularly youth and parents as neighborhood leaders and participants in ON working groups and initiatives.

• Provide training, mentorship, and logistical support to Neighborhood Ambassadors and other residents volunteers.
   

Community Events & Neighborhood Activation

• Co-develop, plan, and lead culturally relevant community events, activities, and celebrations that reflect and respond to neighborhood interests and priorities.
• Coordinate logistics and provide on-site support including setup/breakdown, volunteer oversight, materials preparation, and evaluation.
• Collaborate with the Strategy Manager, resident leaders, and partners to ensure events are inclusive, accessible, and well-publicized.

Cross-Sector Collaboration

• Serve as a visible and reliable liaison between the ON team and neighborhood schools, service providers, county agencies, and faith or civic organizations.
• Support aligned action with initiative partners through consistent communication and shared outreach and referral efforts.
• Participate in relevant meetings, coalitions, and workgroups as needed to represent ON and bring community voice into decision-making spaces.

Communication, Data, & Administration

• Maintain up-to-date tracking of partners, stakeholders, residents, and events through organizational databases and shared calendars.
• Contribute to the development of ON communications materials (flyers, social media content, brochures), in collaboration with the Strategy Manager and Communications Team.
• Document outreach activities, attendance, resident input, and referrals; assist in producing monthly and quarterly data reports.
• Provide input on outreach strategies and program adjustments based on emerging needs and feedback.

Community Services & Referrals

• Stay informed on available resources and community services, making appropriate referrals to Cornerstones’ Community Care Management team and other partners.
• Support case coordination and service navigation by following up with families and referring staff as needed.
• Assist with volunteer engagement and in-kind support requests in coordination with the Development

department.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, human services, community organizing, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• At least 2–3 years of experience in community organizing, resident engagement, or neighborhood-based programming.
• CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Fluency in a second language (Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, or other languages spoken in the community) strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to work respectfully and effectively with residents from diverse racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
• Familiarity with the Reston or Herndon communities and/or similar multi-cultural suburban settings.
• Experience coordinating events and working collaboratively with cross-sector partners.
• Strong group facilitation, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage time effectively across multiple projects and meet deadlines.
• Good judgment and conflict resolution skills; able to respond calmly and flexibly in dynamic environments.
• Commitment to racial and social equity and community empowerment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and basic database/data entry functions.
• Willingness to work evenings and weekends for community events and outreach activities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills with staff, clients, volunteers.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Detail-oriented, with strong attention to follow-through.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others and as a member of a team.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and delegate them when necessary.
• Must be detailed, flexible, and able to work accurately under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Must be responsible, dependable, and display the highest level of integrity. 
• Must have a valid drivers’ license with no history of significant accidents or moving violations

Key Success Indicators

• Increased resident participation in ON events, leadership roles, and planning processes.
• Strengthened trust and connectivity between residents and community institutions.
• Timely and accurate completion of outreach, data collection, and communication tasks.
• Visible presence and responsiveness in assigned neighborhoods.
• Successful support of collaborative, culturally relevant community events and programs.

Attitude

• Attentive to constraints of time and funds in setting stretch goals
• Respectful of staff, volunteers, funders and clients
• Forward thinker, considering not just today but what are the implications for tomorrow
• Collaborative leader, working with others individually and in teams

Work Environment

• The work is performed in a typical office environment but requires significant community outreach in other locations.
• Some work is performed outdoors in both the winter and summer.
• Occasional driving or personal or Cornerstones’ vehicle.

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.

• Prolonged sitting and a desk and working on a computer.
• Regular in person interaction with the public, clients, and stakeholders.
• Handle or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25-50 pounds for event support as needed.
• Occasional navigation of stairs, ramps, ladders.
• Noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate
• Must be able to safely operate a company vehicle.