Digital Ward 7 Community Connector (Contract)

Contract length: Early December 2025 through March 2026
Hours: ~60 hours over 4 months
Rate: $35 per hour (this is a contracted position and does not include benefits)
Location: Remote/Online
Reports to: Lead Community Connector

About The 51st

The 51st is a worker-led, nonprofit local news source for D.C. We pursue stories that hold leaders accountable, demystify opaque city and civic processes, and celebrate the idiosyncrasies that make us proud to call D.C. home.

We are committed to closing the gap between residents and the information they need to shape their daily lives. As part of our Listening to Ward 7 project, we are conducting community-led research to better understand what residents want from local media.

Who you’ll work with 

The 51st has a startup vibe — everyone wears a few hats, and we trust each other to take the lead when it makes sense. We care a lot about doing great work, but we’re also big on setting boundaries and avoiding burnout. Collaboration, independence, and respect keep our operation running. 

Our Community Connectors program includes a small but mighty team that works closely to engage with District residents who often don't see themselves in the media.

Position Summary

The Digital Ward 7 Community Connector will play a key role in building The 51st’s online presence in Ward 7, helping us connect with residents through social media, digital campaigns, and online surveys.

Working under the supervision of the lead community connector, this role is best suited for someone who knows Ward 7 well, cares deeply about the community’s future, and enjoys using online tools to inform and engage neighbors. The Connector will participate in training sessions on online engagement, survey facilitation, and community storytelling ethics.

Key Responsibilities

Online Survey Engagement

• Promote and manage the Ward 7 community survey across Instagram, Facebook, Threads, Nextdoor, and other online platforms as appropriate.
• Develop content that encourages residents to share their perspective through our online survey.
• Track and report weekly engagement and response numbers.

Online Community Building

• Actively participate in Ward 7-based online groups and discussions.
• Post conversation starters, respond to comments, and strengthen The 51st’s relationships in these communities.
• Listen for key community concerns and trends.

Targeted Ads & Conversions

• Use Meta Ads Manager or similar tools to run small, focused ad campaigns targeting Ward 7 residents.
• Drive measurable actions, such as survey completions, event RSVPs, and newsletter sign-ups.
• Analyze results and refine strategies for better performance.

Collaboration on in-person events

• Oversee online promotion for in-person events.
• Package images and insights from community events for sharing on social media.
• Align messaging across The 51st’s online and on-the-ground outreach.

Reporting & Learning

• Submit short monthly reports summarizing engagement metrics and insights.
• Recommend strategies to deepen online survey participation among specific Ward 7 groups.

Qualifications

Required

• Must be a Ward 7 resident.
• Experience using social media for marketing and/or community organizing.
• Strong writing and communication skills.
• Ability to analyze and respond to social media engagement metrics (reach, clicks, conversions).
• Must  have access to a reliable computer and internet.

Preferred

• Background in digital strategy, community management, community organizing, or other types of civic engagement.
• Awareness of Ward 7’s issues and community networks.
• Interest in local journalism or public storytelling.
• Experience managing or promoting online surveys (Google Forms, Typeform, etc.)

To apply, send a résumé, links to any relevant past work, and short answer responses (between 100 - 150 words each) for the following questions (below) to communityconnector@51st.news by Friday, November 14, 2025.

• In which online spaces are Ward 7 residents most active?
• What strategies make people take action online? Tell us a success story about how you learned 
• Where do you think is the best place to find community and support in D.C.?