Policy Advocate for Domestic Issues

Use the following link to view the full position description and to apply:  https://www.appone.com/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=6935158

This is a full-time position that requires 3 day/week in the DC office on a hybrid schedule. Application Close: October 16, 2025.

GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

The Policy Advocate for Domestic Issues shall participate in and have primary responsibility for leading the work of domestic public policy advocacy, including but not limited to the following areas: a) Washington-based and electronic advocacy; b) issue education; c) media advocacy; and d) grassroots mobilization. The person in this position will regularly work in cooperation with national staff of the United Church of Christ as well as with local churches and other settings of the United Church of Christ. The majority of the work will be carried out in ecumenical, interfaith, and secular coalitions in Washington, DC.

Because of the changing legislative landscape and opportunities, shifting public policy priorities for the National Ministries of the UCC, and ecumenical and interfaith coalitions, the person in this position must be flexible in learning and responding to various areas of policy that have been identified.

It is understood that addressing issues of domestic human needs, civil and human rights, environmental justice, and other domestic advocacy issues will be a primary focus.

LOCATION:

The Policy Advocate for Domestic Issues is based in the Washington, DC office; therefore, Policy Advocate is expected to reside in the Washington metropolitan area.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Understand and interpret UCC General Synod resolutions and seek to embody and articulate the Christian faith through issue advocacy and education.
• Participate in and lead issue advocacy efforts engaging members Congress, Presidential administrations, the Supreme Court, and other key decision makers and policy processes.
• Coordinate, advise and strategize with colleagues of the National Ministries and other United Church of Christ partners, interfaith and ecumenical coalitions, and secular partners concerning emerging and ongoing domestic public policy issues.
• Provide ongoing strategy, content, and support for the UCC’s Justice and Peace Action Network (JPANet) E-advocacy platform to ensure effectiveness and growth.
• Participate in, and occasionally lead, the activities of ecumenical and interfaith coalitions, various working groups, conferences, press events, demonstrations/public witness, and related activities.
• Write on domestic public policy issues through various means including actions alerts, press statements/releases, articles/op-eds, and webpage content.
• Participate in setting policy priorities along with DC based staff, and the Director of the Washington Office, who provides guidance on changing advocacy priorities of the office.
• Share in the general work of collaborating with the varied settings and constituencies of the United Church of Christ, including outreach to Conferences, Associations, issue networks, and local churches. Support those groups when they come to the office.
• Occasional preaching, teaching, and group facilitation related to public policy advocacy.

 Position Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required to perform successfully in this position.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field required, graduate degree in an area relevant to the work of a domestic public policy advocate, or its equivalent highly preferred.
• Experience in direct public policy advocacy with lawmakers and their staff.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze public policy issues from a faith-based perspective with attention to impacts on multiple constituencies.
• Excellent multi-faceted communication skills, including a willingness to learn, and preferably experience in, working with relevant electronic software and electronic organizing and communication.
• Ability to articulate a vital Christian faith as it relates to interpreting issues and developing advocacy activities.
• An understanding of the polity and structure of the United Church of Christ and an appreciation of the diverse histories and constituencies of the United Church of Christ.
• Knowledge of the General Synod and other public policy bases of the United Church of Christ.
• Demonstrated experience of serving on a team effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and lead on issues where there are few partners and limited support.
• Sensitivity to working with diverse staff partners and constituencies, and in diverse ecumenical, interfaith, and secular partnerships across differences of culture, race, class, gender, language, and ability.
• Experience in preaching, teaching, and facilitating.
• Ability to travel as needed