Director of Community Engagement

Organization Overview

The Arc of Texas is a statewide organization that promotes, protects, and advocates for the human rights and self-determination of Texans with IDD. Since 1953, we’ve been involved in the creation or preservation of nearly every support available to Texans with IDD. Since 1997, our Master Pooled Trust has been a solution for Texans with any disability to manage funds while preserving government benefits eligibility. And our trusted IDD information and referral resources cover waivers, guardianship, education, employment, future planning, civil rights, and much more. We will not stop until every Texan with IDD is included in all aspects of society.

Position Summary

This position requires an individual committed to the cause of promoting, protecting, and advocating for the human rights and self-determination of Texans with disabilities.

The Director of Community Engagement (the Director) leads The Arc of Texas’ public facing education, information and referral (I&R), partnerships, and community programs. The role turns community needs and relationships into clear priorities, develops staff and systems that support those priorities, and represents The Arc of Texas with families, advocates, professionals, and partner organizations.

The Director provides leadership and oversight of the Master Pooled Trust (MPT) operations through policy direction reporting, resolution of escalated complex issues, and designated backup authority. The Director works closely with the Deputy Director of Master Pooled Trust, who oversees routine trust operations. This position will report to The Arc of Texas’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will be responsible for supervising the MPT Department. The Director is the primary liaison with The Arc’s Master Pooled Trust Committee.

This position will report to The Arc of Texas’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Jennifer Martinez, and will be responsible for supervising the MPT Department. The Director is the primary liaison with The Arc’s Master Pooled Trust Committee.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Community Engagement

Develop an annual community engagement plan, priorities, measures, and budget recommendations. Report activity, referral patterns, and outcomes to leadership and relevant committees.
Lead The Arc of Texas’ information and referral function. Establish service standards, guide staff handling inquiries, maintain current referral resources, and address complex or sensitive situations that require senior judgement.
Build and maintain relationships with community organizations, professional networks, and referral partners.
Represent The Arc of Texas at conferences and professional associations, including relevant Alliance of Pooled Trust (APT) and National Plan Alliance (NPA) activities, when aligned with MPT priorities.
Lead outreach, communications, and special projects that increase awareness and access. Coordinate conference participation, external messaging, and practical follow-up from events and presentations.
Plan and deliver presentations on pooled trusts, disability related planning, and MPT services for families, advocates, attorneys, service providers, and community groups.
Develop community programs and partnerships, including assigned contract work such as Blind Children’s Program (BCP). Identify grant opportunities, coordinate proposals, and oversee grant commitments and reporting with the appropriate staff.
Support systems advocacy related to recurring barriers identified through inquiries and community relationships. Bring trends and proposed responses to leadership. Coordinate individual advocacy only when it falls within The Arc of Texas’ role and capacity.

Management and Organizational Leadership

Direct the work and professional development of staff assigned to community engagement, information and referral and MPT teams. Clarify ownership, coach performance, and build effective cross team handoffs.
Participate in leadership and committee work, contribute to planning and team development, and provide clear reports and statistics that inform decisions.
Ensure the continued growth, and effective operation of the trust within trust policies and procedures in collaboration with The MPT Committee. Conduct quarterly MPT committee meetings.
Partner with the Deputy Director of Master Pooled Trust on enrollment trends, beneficiary concerns, outreach materials, trust policies and procedures, and issues that cross the boundary between public education and trust operations.
Supervise the Deputy Director of Master Pooled Trust, who is responsible for daily disbursement review and approval, enrollment processing, statements, Salesforce administration, and related workflow management.
Review and help develop trust policies and procedures at the leadership level, with operational implementation owned by trust administration.

Qualifications

Demonstrated success leading community engagement, education, referral services, partnerships, or related programs.
Ability to explain complex trust and disability topics clearly, with sound judgment about when to refer a matter to trust administration or legal counsel.
Experience guiding staff, managing projects and external relationships, using data to evaluate results, and presenting to varied audiences.
Strong writing skills, public speaking, collaboration, and discretion with sensitive information.
Ability to apply knowledge of pooled special needs trusts, disability services and benefits to community education and program oversight.
The ability to learn Pooled Trust Administration specific practices is essential.

Educational and Professional Requirements

Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university.
Experience with nonprofit organizations and prior work with individuals with disabilities and families is preferred.
Ability to develop and maintain productive professional relationships that support long-term partnerships, trust, and goodwill.
Experience developing and delivering clear, accessible educational presentations for varied audiences, including individuals with disabilities, families, advocates, attorneys, and community partners.
Working knowledge of public benefits available to individuals with disabilities, including Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Medicaid, and Medicare, and an understanding of how financial resources and trust distributions may affect benefit eligibility.
Working knowledge of special needs trusts, including pooled special needs trusts, their purpose, and their role in supporting individuals with disabilities while preserving eligibility for applicable public benefits.
Commitment to maintaining current knowledge of disability benefits and special needs trusts through continuing education and participation in relevant professional organizations.

Working Conditions

Approximately 20 coworkers in relatively close quarters.
Approximately 30% of this job will take place remotely, with approximately 50% occurring in-office, and remaining 20% in community-based settings (e.g., presentations, etc.).
Occasional travel, weekend or evening work is required.

Compensation and Benefits

The Arc of Texas values its employees, and as such, strives to offer a competitive total compensation package which includes both cash compensation and benefits. This position is eligible to participate in the following benefits:

The Arc of Texas values its employees, and as such, strives to offer a competitive total compensation package which includes both cash compensation and benefits. This position is eligible to participate in the following benefits:
Employer sponsored health and dental insurance
Retirement plan benefits and employer matching up to 5%
Twenty-three (23) days of vacation leave each year (accrued by pay period)
Twelve (12) days of sick leave each year (accrued by pay period)
Employer paid long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance benefits
The Arc of Texas observes sixteen (16) days of holiday which includes a weeklong winter break
Salary Range: $75,000 – $85,000 annually (commensurate with experience)

Application Process

To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, and professional references to accounting@thearcoftexas.org with “Director of Community Engagement Application” in the subject. Recruitment agency inquiries will not be considered. Applicants who are applying with accommodations will receive individual instructions and assistance.

No phone calls or recruiter solicitations. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

People with disabilities, BIPOC individuals, Spanish speakers, and members of other marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply. If you require accommodations to effectively participate in the application process, please email accounting@thearcoftexas.org or call 1-800-252-9729.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job and is not a guarantee of employment. This document is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts The Arc of Texas’ right to reasonably assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to/from this position at any time. Texas is an “employment-at will” state; therefore, employment as a team member of The Arc of Texas is considered to be “at-will” and may be terminated by you or the employer at any time. The Arc of Texas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.