Position Overview 

NPNA seeks a Citizenship Coordinator who will lead the development of local partnerships, training and capacity building efforts that will scale and amplify naturalization services, policies and programs throughout the Greater Houston area. In September 2023, NPNA, in partnership with the City of Houston, Harris County and its local members, will launch a project that aims to increase naturalization rates for the nearly 300,000 lawful permanent residents (LPRs) that live in Greater Houston. The Citizenship Coordinator, based in Houston, will serve in a critical role to execute the initiative, build relationships, and advance programmatic and policy efforts that increase naturalization outreach, community education and application rates. 

About NPNA

The National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) is a national multiethnic, multiracial partnership network of 66 of the country’s leading immigrant and refugee rights organizations who together advocate for policies and programs to successfully integrate New Americans. NPNA exists to 1) strengthen immigrant and refugee voices in our nation by building the policy and program capacities of our member organizations; and, 2) pursue policy campaigns with our members at the local, state, and federal level; and, 3) Deepen our strategic partnership to advance immigrant and refugee inclusion and equity in the United States. 

Principal Responsibilities 

Partnership & Strategic Planning 

• Build relationships within local partners, including local government offices, in effort to assess current naturalization efforts and identify opportunities to increase efforts around naturalization 
• Build relationships with local stakeholders in the community (CBOs, small businesses, financial institutions, libraries, schools, community centers, etc) to assess current naturalization efforts and identify opportunities to increase efforts around naturalization 
• Identify strategic opportunities to increase programmatic capacity for naturalization and advance naturalization policies and partnerships 

Project Development and Execution

• Serve as the lead project organizer for local partners
• Develop a cross-sector, strategic and robust naturalization plan to scale naturalization efforts in the City and Greater Houston area, in partnership with key stakeholders
• Create and implement a detailed work plan for naturalization plans
• Strategically Partner with Naturalization Program Managers at Harris County and the City of Houston to coordinate and track naturalization efforts
• Connect local programmatic, communications and policy efforts with NPNA’s national efforts to increase access to naturalization 
• Train and track local community-based organizations and Community Navigator teams around naturalization 
• Establish systems to evaluate effectiveness of the naturalization efforts across Greater Houston, in partnership with NPNA and CC4C 

Partner Engagement 

• Participate in national Cities and Counties for Citizenship (CC4C) network calls, webinars and additional training to learn about naturalization efforts other localities are leading 
• Partner with National Partnership for New Americans (NPNA) to engage in national naturalization campaigns, such as Naturalize NOW, to amplify the work of City of Houston
• Attend coordination meetings between City of Houston, Harris County and NPNA 

Supervision: 

The Citizenship Coordinator will report to NPNA’s Director of Programs

Qualifications

• 5+ years or more of professional experience in community organizing and/or developing and implementing nonprofit programs and initiatives, ideally working directly with immigrants and/or refugees 
• Experience with naturalization programming at local and/or state level  
• Strong ability and track record of building and managing relationships with relevant partners (government, CBOs, academic institutions, small business, nonprofits etc)
• Experience working with local governments and/or elected officials
• Experience in the immigration policy field, preferably at the state and local levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work collegially and collaboratively with other staff and other organizations; demonstrated ability to work with groups and individuals across the political spectrum.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. 
• Bilingual proficiency in English/Spanish preferred 

Benefits:

NPNA offers a generous benefit package that includes health insurance, dental insurance, and a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan with an employer match. Employees receive 14 paid holidays, 12 sick days, two weeks of paid time off, and an additional week of paid time off December 24-January 1st.

How to Apply:

Please email your resume and cover letter to hr@partnershipfornewamericans.org 

The National Partnership for New Americans is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a work environment that is free from discrimination. We comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding nondiscrimination in employment. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law. Employment decisions will be based on merit, competence, performance, and organizational needs. We strive to build a diverse workforce that is representative of those we serve.