Senior Policy Advocate – Education and Prevention Services

The California Alliance of Child and Family Services is the unifying force in the charge to lead change and provide support for the state’s children, youth, and families. For those dedicated to improving the lives of these at-risk populations, the California Alliance stands apart as the champion and leading voice for organizations that advocate for children and families, and for advancing policy and services on their behalf.

The Catalyst Center leverages connections between research, policy, and practice to inform and lead capacity-building efforts amongst service providers across the state of California who work in the fields of child and family services.

The California Alliance of Child and Family Services and the Catalyst Center serve a statewide network of professionals and collaborate with advocates, community-based service programs, national and state organizations, legal, health, and mental health professionals, researchers, and advocates from social justice organizations working to support the health and wellbeing of children and families. The California Alliance of Child and Family Services and Catalyst Center offer a rich working environment that includes connecting with inspiring activists and frontline providers, an opportunity to understand the experiences of children, youth, and families, and how all these forces contribute to sociopolitical change and systems transformation. Both the CA Alliance and its Catalyst Center are committed to ensuring that our work is centered in equity and social justice, working to ensure that the voices of those most impacted are part of any decision-making processes.

The Center and the Alliance are dedicated to maintaining an environment that prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion. We denounce white supremacy, homophobia, sexism, and all forms of prejudice and intolerance. The only thing that will not be tolerated in our organization is intolerance itself.

Responsibilities: The Senior Policy Advocate, under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Child Welfare Policy and as part of the CA Alliance policy team, leads the development of policy positions related to Education and Prevention services. This position actively works with the Legislature, state agencies and other advocacy groups to assure the adoption of those positions in statute, regulation or as part of statewide policy. The Senior Policy Advocate works closely with member organizations to support and forward policy issues developed through member committees.

Duties:

Legislation and Policy Development

• Actively work with Board, assigned program committees and other staff in the development of policy goals in assigned interest areas.
• Work with appropriate state agencies to have Alliance policy objectives adopted into state policy or regulation.
• Work with appropriate members of the Administration and Legislature and with Administration and legislative staff in moving policy positions into law from conceptualizing legislation through passage of a bill and signing into law.
• Review, analyze and develop a position and priority on all bills, in assigned policy areas and of relevance to Alliance member agencies, and complete tasks necessary to support, oppose or amend targeted bills.
• Develop analyses, positions, options and strategies in assigned policy areas to ensure representation of Alliance member agencies in the state budget development process and coordinate budget communications between the Alliance, the Legislature and the Administration.
• Collaborate with Alliance members to drive Alliance policy platform.
• Testify as appropriate before legislative committees.
• Support Education and Prevention Services Committee, and other committees as assigned.

Member Services

• Staff Alliance program committees, as assigned.
• Actively support member committee chairpersons and committee members by connecting the need for, and opportunity for legislative and policy development.
• Respond to member inquiries and provide technical assistance.
• Interface between members and state departments as needed.
• Assist in planning and coordinating member conferences.
• Represent Alliance at selected member events.

Communication

• Assure full communication to members regarding progress of legislative agenda through:
• Legislative Tracking Report.
• Legislative and Budget Alerts.
• Articles for bi-weekly Policy Round up
• Speak at membership conferences, meetings and other member-related events as assigned.
• Keep CEO, policy team and other staff members fully completely informed of actions and trends affecting applicable policy areas.
• Collaborate with the CA Alliance’s Catalyst Center team on a regular basis to align efforts across the organization.
• Develop written materials (position letters, fact sheets, policy briefs, etc.) as needed to promote advocacy positions.

Strategic Partnerships

• Build and maintain positive working relationships with representatives of the Administration, state agencies, the Legislature, and other governmental bodies.
• Build and maintain positive working partnerships with representatives of advocacy groups with shared interests.
• Represent Alliance in formal and informal child and family-focused advocacy groups.

Qualifications:

Experience

• At least five years of legislative and public policy experience.
• Experience addressing policy and legislation in the areas of child welfare, children’s behavioral health, special education, or juvenile justice highly desirable.
• Experience in an association setting preferred.

Skills and Characteristics

• Highly self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in personal practice and policy matters.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to analyze and synthesize information efficiently and thoroughly.
• Excellent writing skills with demonstrated experience conveying key messages clearly, timely and succinctly.
• Team player who enjoys working collaboratively with other Alliance staff, representatives of other advocacy groups, and members of the Legislature and staff.
• Demonstrated capacity to absorb complex issues, organize effective strategy and actively carry the strategy to completion.
• Willing and able to work with multiple member committees to effect policy change through governmental processes.
• Personable and engaging, responsive to member inquiries and concerns.

Education

• Bachelor degree required.
• Advanced degree preferred.

The CA Alliance is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.

PLEASE SUBMIT A COVER LETTER AND COMPLETE THE ASSESSMENTS.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Employee assistance program
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement

Experience level:

• 5 years

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work setting:

• In-person
• Office

Experience:

• Legislation: 2 years (Required)
• Policy planning: 2 years (Preferred)

Work Location: In person