Program Associate (part time)
posted June 2026
The Voter Empowerment Project (VEP) is seeking a part time Program Associate to support its non-partisan voter engagement activities during the 2026 election cycle. With the support of the VEP Executive Director and VEP Steering Committee, the Program Associate will assist with key programmatic activities, including partnership development, volunteer recruitment, and management of volunteer service to front-line voter engagement organizations.
The ideal candidate is a collaborative team member with the ability to work independently, is eager to meet the challenges at hand, has a demonstrated commitment to racial equity, has a strong belief in the right of all Americans to vote.
POSITION: Program Associate
REPORTS TO: Executive Director
TYPE: part time (approximately 20 hrs/wk)
DURATION: through December 2026*
COMPENSATION: $22 to $30/hour
LOCATION: Remote
*with possibility of extension
Responsibilities
Working in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Steering Committee, and other staff, the Program Associate will be responsible for supporting the following activities:
OUTREACH
Assist with identifying, recruiting, and onboarding volunteers for the VEP program (“VEP Volunteers”);
Assist with evaluating and onboarding front-line voting rights organizations that will receive support from VEP (“VEP Partners”); and
Assist with engaging relevant national, state, and local grassroots organizations that will aid in advancing VEP’s mission.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Work with VEP Partners to define specific project requests based on their areas of need;
Assign VEP Volunteers with relevant skills to projects requested by VEP Partners;
Manage VEP Volunteers to ensure the timely and satisfactory completion of projects;
Support the management of VEP Social Media accounts;
Structure volunteer opportunities to promote professional development and growth for VEP Participants and Partners’ staff; and
Contribute to an operating environment that is inclusive and empowering for volunteers of all backgrounds and identities.
FINANCIAL
Assist with VEP’s fundraising strategy to secure adequate resources from individuals, foundations, corporations, the public sector, and other philanthropic sources; and
Assist with the development of proposals and reports for foundations and other grant-making institutions.
Skills and Qualifications
The ideal candidate will demonstrate some or all of the following skills and qualifications:
1 to 4 years of relevant professional experience;
Strong commitment to progressive values, racial and gender equity, and confronting all forms of discrimination and oppression of historically marginalized communities;
Experience working with and in support of historically disenfranchised or oppressed communities;
The ability to develop collaborative and respectful relationships with national and local organizations, volunteers, donors, foundations, and other relevant stakeholders;
Experience in volunteer recruitment and management;
Experience in project management;
Strong written and verbal communication skills;
Proficiency in relevant computer and technological skills needed for effectively creating written content, electronic communication, organizing data, and creating presentation materials (e.g. Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint, Google Suite); and
Self-directed, organized, and detail oriented with the ability to work effectively both independently as well as collaboratively in teams.
Additional Preferred Skills
A priority candidate will also possess a some or all of the following:
Experience with voter mobilization, civic engagement, or other voting rights related activities;
Experience in advocacy or community engagement at the state or local levels;
Experience with providing training and technical assistance for non-profit organizations:
Experience in fundraising through grant writing and/or major and small dollar donors;
Experience with social media or digital strategy, CRM, data analysis, graphic design, and/or website development; and
Proficiency in one or more non-English languages, preferably Spanish.
Compensation and Benefits
The Program Associate shall be paid $22 to $30 an hour in a part time role of approximately 20 hours per week. Specific hourly rate will be commensurate with the applicant’s qualifications and level of experience based on the list above. VEP also offers financial support for certain professional development activities. VEP operates as a fully remote organization.
The position is through December 2026, with a possibility for extension.
Commitment To Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of race and ethnicity, skin color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nation of origin, criminal record history, veteran status, disability status, or other underrepresented backgrounds and identities. Given VEP’s mission to serve historically disenfranchised and oppressed communities, the organization prioritizes creating opportunities for candidates that are representative of these communities as part of our commitment to address long-standing and persistent racial and gender disparities in leadership positions.
Application Process and Timeline
Interested candidates should submit the following materials to vep@voterempowerment.org with the subject line “VEP Program Associate Application - [YOUR NAME].”
Resume OR link to your Up-to-Date Linkedin Profile;
Statement of interest (1 - 2 pages), that describes why you are passionate about social/racial justice and voting rights, why you are interested in VEP, and why you would be a good candidate for this position;
Two references who can comment on your experience and skills, at least one of whom had a supervisory role (e.g. supervisor, professor etc). Please list their name, relationship to you, and contact info at the end of your Statement of Interest.
Selected candidates will be invited for a virtual interview and will be asked to send a short (1-2 minute) selfie video commenting on the importance of volunteerism and its benefits to both the volunteer and the community. The opportunity shall be open until filled.