Apply to be a Facilitator

To assist with the Civic Assembly process, Unify Akron is seeking a team of skilled, collaborative Deliberation Facilitators. Each facilitator will work directly with a small group of five participants, alongside multiple co-facilitators, to guide productive, inclusive, and well-organized discussions.

Facilitators will help ensure that all participants have a voice, that discussions stay aligned with the agenda, and that any concerns are escalated appropriately to facilitation trainers. All methods and models needed for this process will be covered during the March training and pre-session orientations.

Key Responsibilities

  • Facilitate small-group deliberations (5-person groups) during each scheduled session.

  • Collaborate with co-facilitators to maintain structure, timing, and fidelity to the deliberation model.

  • Ensure inclusive participation and respectful dialogue among all group members.

  • Adhere to the session agenda and process guidelines.

  • Participate in mandatory pre-meetings for training, orientation, and process review.

  • Monitor for issues or concerns and appropriately escalate them to facilitation trainers.

  • Maintain professional neutrality and support a psychologically safe environment.

Preferred Experience & Qualifications

Experience is requested but not required — training will be provided.

Preferred familiarity includes:

  • Civic engagement practices

  • Deliberative democracy methods

  • Community meeting facilitation or related community-engagement experience

Additional preferred qualities:

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills

  • Comfort managing group dynamics and guiding discussion

  • Ability to collaborate effectively with co-facilitators

  • Reliability and punctuality for all required Saturdays and training sessions

Schedule:

  • Mandatory training and pre-session orientation meeting on March 2

  • Kickoff meeting on Friday 3/13 5-7pm

  • Celebration meeting on Thursday 5/21 6-8pm

  • Saturdays 9am-6pm: 3/14, 3/28, 4/11, 4/25, 5/9

  • Thursdays 5:30-9pm: 3/19, 4/16, 4/30, 5/14

Location: Akron, Ohio (You must be available in Akron to attend all program sessions in person)

Training: Required training and orientation in early March (3/2)

Employment Type: Temporary, part-time contract role

Applications close on January 18, 2026