Senior Policy Associate

Location: Northern California. See “Work Location” for details.

Job type: Full-time (approximately 40 hours per week)

Start date: May 2026

Annual Salary: $80,000 - $90,000. Final salary determined based on the candidate’s relevant experience

Reports to: Executive Director

Timing: First review of applications will begin on April 6

About Fullwell

Fullwell advocates for local, state, and federal food policy that promotes health, justice, and sustainability. We focus on developing policies and programs in California related to the food safety net and public food procurement that have the potential to be replicated across the country. We are a non-profit, fiscally sponsored by Community Initiatives. For more information, see: www.fullwell.us

Fullwell seeks a Senior Policy Associate to support the work of two of our primary campaigns. This position is an excellent opportunity for someone who likes to build coalitions and persuade policymakers to reduce hunger, improve health, and increase the sustainability of California’s food system. 

The Senior Policy Associate will primarily focus on advancing policies at the local and state level while also engaging with national coalitions. The Senior Policy Associate will be responsible for supporting existing advocacy campaigns as well as new ones. The Policy Associate will report to the Executive Director, have significant supervision and support from the Deputy Director, and work closely with public agencies, advocacy partners, funders, and advisory board members to accomplish Fullwell’s work.

Responsibilities

Support advocacy to transition medically supportive food and nutrition (MSF&N) from a pilot healthcare intervention to a full Medi-Cal benefit 

• Engage elected officials, legislative staff, and agency staff locally in the Bay Area and in Sacramento to increase support for making MSF&N services permanent Medi-Cal benefits   
• Coordinate and expand the statewide coalition of organizations engaged on this issue
• Conduct policy research as needed, which may involve writing policy briefs, fact sheets, and white papers on topics relevant to our advocacy
• Provide logistical support for the campaign, including helping coordinate Fullwell staff, contract lobbyists, and coalition partners 

Support advocacy to expand values-based food procurement at local and state public institutions 

• Engage elected officials, legislative staff, and agency staff locally and in Sacramento to expand support for increasing values-based food procurement  
• Coordinate and expand the statewide coalition of organizations engaged on this issue
• Conduct policy research as needed to further build the case for adopting values-based procurement
• Provide logistical support for the campaign, including helping coordinate Fullwell staff, contract lobbyists, and coalition partners 

General Support

• Generally assist the Executive Director and Deputy Director in reaching Fullwell’s goals, including new initiatives that may arise

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities

• At least 5 years of experience engaging in policy advocacy, including working in coalition with multiple partners on a long-term campaign that involves advocacy, organizing, research, and/or working with elected officials and other policymakers
• Proven ability to initiate a new project and see it through to successful completion while handling other projects with multiple deadlines 
• Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal
• Experience convening groups and facilitating meetings
• Personable demeanor and a demonstrated ability to communicate comfortably with stakeholders from a wide range of backgrounds, including through consensus building, negotiation, and public speaking
• Familiarity with, and interest in, issues of local food, food access, public health, sustainable agriculture, and food systems policy 
• Ability to manage their own schedule and time without direction
• Excellent attention to detail 
• Ability to occasionally travel outside the Bay Area / Sacramento (including single day and multi-day trips)

Preferred knowledge, skills and abilities

• Prior experience and comfort with grant writing
• Knowledge of California’s political and policy landscape, especially at the state level

Compensation

The salary for this position is $80,000 - $90,000 per year. This is a full-time, exempt position. Fullwell offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

• Fully paid medical, dental and vision (full coverage for employee; shared premium for dependents)
• 401k and 5% employer match
• Basic life insurance, AD&D, STD & LTD
• 4 weeks of paid vacation
• 12 days of paid sick leave
• 14 paid holidays
• 4 floating holidays

Work Location & Hybrid Work Environment

Fullwell has a hybrid workplace model defined by a combination of remote and in-person work. We are open to applicants from the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. The vast majority of work is remote with in-person meetings on an ad-hoc basis, generally 1-3 times per month that rotate through various locations in the Bay Area. Staff will be required to attend in-person meetings, conferences, and events as needed. All work location policies are subject to change. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Community Initiatives is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, disability or protected veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

How to Apply

Applicants should apply by submitting their contact information, resume, and cover letter via the job application form at: www.fullwell.us/careers-1

First review of applications will begin on April 6 and will continue after that date until the position is filled and job posting is removed from the www.fullwell.us/careers-1 webpage. Start date for the position is May 2026.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so assigned.