Senior Policy Advocate - State

JOB DESCRIPTION - SENIOR POLICY ADVOCATE – STATE (CA)

Job Title:                               Senior Policy Advocate - State

Reports to:                         Policy Manager - State

Classification:                 Full time, Exempt

Salary Range:                   $87,000-$115,000

Location:                              Sacramento

Position Summary

The Senior Policy Advocate - State position is an exempt, professional position that requires the person holding the position to have specialized knowledge and expertise in at least two areas of environmental and/or social justice law and policy work, in furtherance of the organization’s mission and goals. This position regularly requires the use of professional, independent judgment to exercise discretion in matters related to the duties set forth below, including the strategic development of the organization’s policy campaigns in California on a state-wide level. It is also predominantly and highly intellectual, varied in character, including, but not necessarily limited to, the strategic development of policy initiatives, setting of policy management goals, and strategy implementation to achieve the environmental and/or social justice outcomes desired to improve conditions in Inland California.   

The Senior Policy Advocate - State will be primarily responsible for developing and leading state-wide policy advocacy campaigns in California, matching their specialized knowledge and expertise.  This position is also responsible for informing regional and local advocacy efforts, and coordinating state-wide efforts with regional and local campaigns, as necessary.

The Senior Policy Advocate - State position may supervise interns. The Senior Policy Advocate is responsible for following human resources best practices and other policies and procedures for management and accountability of staff they supervise.

Duties & Responsibilities

The essential functions of this position include the following:

1. Lead development and implementation of components of a strategic state advocacy agenda across various substantive areas with limited supervision and oversight, including:
   1. Work with Policy Managers, Advocates, Attorneys, and other staff members to maintain sufficient knowledge of emerging and ongoing local campaigns and priorities
   2. Implement strategies to effect long-term policy change at the statewide level in relevant substantive areas
   3. Identify opportunities and implement strategies to advance short- and long-term policy campaigns at the statewide level
   4. Engage in statewide regulatory and administrative advocacy through testimony, written comments, coalition development, and other activities
   5. Engage in statewide legislative advocacy through testimony, written comments, coalition development, and other activities
   6. Work with the communications team to develop and implement multimedia strategies to advance program and policy priorities
   7. Research and analyze potential, proposed, and existing state policies.

1. Develop and maintain positive and productive relationships with relevant coalitions, partner organizations, governmental agencies, non-governmental agencies, community-based organizations, community members, academic and research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders, including meeting with partner organizations, representatives of government, and residents as needed to develop relationships.

1. Lead and engage in coalitions and collaboratives with limited supervision and oversight to further short- and long-term program and policy priorities. 

1. Participate in, develop, implement, and lead formal and informal coalitions networks and collaboratives as necessary to advance on identified priorities. 

1. Represent Leadership Counsel at community events, conferences, convenings, etc.

1. Support community engagement in state-level advocacy, including: 
   1. Develop relevant educational curriculum, outreach, and organizing materials.
   2. Develop relationships with community residents
   3. Attend community events and community meetings
   4. Facilitate community resident participation in administrative, regulatory, legislative advocacy efforts, including action days, hearings and workshops, and convenings

1. Maintain content expertise on at least two substantive areas that fall within Leadership Counsel’s program area and are relevant to identified priorities and campaigns with limited supervision and oversight, including:
   1. Maintain expertise on relevant local, regional, and state laws and ordinances on substantive areas of expertise to advance community priorities. 
   2. Develop and maintain procedural expertise related to state-level governmental entities and decision-making processes
   3. Participate in and develop internal and external learning to increase expertise.

1. Supervise interns in assigned substantive areas to ensure high-quality performance and growth in each aspect of their position, including, but not limited to: hiring, training, and evaluation of work performance in the execution of their duties, as set forth in their job descriptions and any additional duties assigned. 

1. Administrative and development duties, including: 
   1. Maintain and time records of all activities in accordance with office policies and as directed by Co-Executive Directors and Chief Operating Officer. 
   2. Maintain files, notes, and records in accordance with office policies. 
   3. Support fundraising and organizational development efforts as directed by a supervisor 

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive and the employee will also perform other reasonably related duties as assigned by the supervising manager, chief operating officer, or co-executive directors (or designee). 

Skills & Qualifications 

The following qualifications are required for this position: 

1. Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science, governmental affairs, social/environmental justice law and policy, environmental science, or similar area of study related to the organization’s social and environmental justice mission. Those with degrees in the sciences who bring specialized learned professional expertise to such mission may also meet the educational requirements for this position. 

1. Work Experience: 3+ years of demonstrated policy advocacy experience or similar role required; 5+ years preferred. 

1. Certifications/​Technical Skills/Proficiencies: 
2. Computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite and Google Office Suite. 
3. Excellent verbal and writing skills in English. 
4. Exceptional project management skills. 

1. Other Traits, Capacities, and Requirements: 
2. Ability to regularly work long hours, evenings, and weekends. 
3. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision. 
4. Ability to travel within the State of California including throughout California and 1-2 times out of state per year. 
5. Drivers’ License and access to personal vehicle and insurance coverage. 
6. Reliable access to a personal cell phone. 
7. Reliable access to the internet. 
8. Comfortable with working with residents and organizations from diverse backgrounds. 

Bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish is preferred but not required. 

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

The physical demands listed are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to move or remain in a stationary position, to perform clerical duties in the office, and operate computer and related office machinery. The employee must have the ability to conduct meetings. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 30 pounds of tools or other equipment. Constantly operate a variety of functions on the computer (e.g., including reading and responding to email) along with other office productivity machinery, such as telephone, calculator, print and copy machine, etc. The person in this position is required to frequently and effectively communicate with callers and community members, in person, via email and over the phone. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations, and able to read from a computer screen and paper documents. 

Ability to drive frequently and for long hours in a day to community meetings, hearings, conferences and other related activities (some of which may be in rural areas), ability to conduct door-to-door outreach and conduct meetings both in-person and remotely, and ability to set up for events/meetings including lifting materials and supplies such as chairs, easels, tables. 

Employees share office space with one or more other staff members. This position typically functions indoors, in office environments with light to moderate noise, and in community gathering venues, private homes, or government buildings with both small and large groups of people where noise levels may be higher than in a typical office setting. The position requires travel for meetings and events, including various outdoor worksites. 

This position also functions in an outdoor setting and may include moderate to loud noise associated with outdoor music and crowds.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accommodations

Leadership Counsel is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. The company does not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you should contact your supervisor or one or both of the co-executive directors.