Ward 7 Community Connector (Contract)

Contract length: Early December 2025 through June 2026
Hours: ~120 hours over 7 months
Rate: $40 per hour (this is a contracted position and does not include benefits)
Location: Ward 7, Washington, D.C.
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

Working under the Lead Community Connector, the Ward 7 Community Connector will support community outreach, survey collection, and event participation to ensure Ward 7 residents contribute to The 51st’s reporting and programming. 

This is a public-facing role best suited for people who know Ward 7 well, care deeply about the community’s future, and are comfortable engaging with neighbors of all ages and backgrounds. Community Connectors are required to attend an orientation and training session on survey facilitation, oral history methods, and ethics.

Key Responsibilities

Survey Engagement

• Distribute and collect responses to a 10 -15 question survey (online + paper) designed for Ward 7 residents. The goal is 400 total responses from all Community Connectors. 

Community Events & Tabling

• Contribute to planning at least 4 community events over the project period. Potential locations: Rec centers, libraries, small businesses, faith spaces, ANC meetings, or other neighborhood gatherings.
• Attend events, where you’ll share information about The 51st and encourage residents to complete the survey, and promote our weekly newsletter.
• Assist with setting up and breaking down tabling materials.

Listening & Story Gathering

• Conduct in-depth 1:1 and group interviews with residents and community leaders. Our team's goal for the project is 20 meetings.
• Document these conversations and share insights with The 51st’s team.
• Respect ethical and privacy guidelines during all interviews and interactions.

Event Support

• Assist in planning and promoting a community listening event in Ward 7.
• Contribute to outreach, logistics, and day-of coordination.
• Participate actively in the event and gather feedback from attendees.

Reporting & Reflection

• Write short recaps from events and interactions.
• Offer input to improve survey outreach strategies.

Qualifications

Required

• Must be a Ward 7 resident, with deep familiarity with and a personal connection to Ward 7 communities.
• Strong communication and listening skills. Comfortable speaking with a wide range of residents (seniors, families, working professionals, youth).
• Reliable, organized, and able to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Availability to attend local events during evenings and weekends as needed.
• Must have access to a reliable computer and internet.

Preferred

• Experience with community engagement, outreach, or organizing.
• Interest in local journalism, storytelling, or civic engagement.
• Ability to write short recaps or reflections on community conversations.

To apply, answer the following questions in about 100 - 150 words each, and send your resume to communityconnector@51st.news.

• What is the #1 skill you bring when connecting with others?
• What information or support do you think Ward 7 residents need right now?
• Where do you personally find community and support?

The deadline to submit your resume and answers is November 14.