Senior Policy Advisor – Education & Career
John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY)
Overview
Our team is our strength, and our work is our passion. John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) is seeking a mission-driven Senior Policy Advisor with deep experience driving advocacy efforts in California focused on Education and Career related programs impacting youth. We are looking for a self-directed individual contributor with a proven track record of advancing systems change through public policy influence, coalition-building, technical assistance, and training.
About the organization
John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) is a nonprofit organization working to improve the quality of life for youth in California who have been in foster care or are homeless by advocating for better laws, training communities to strengthen local practices, and conducting research to inform policy solutions. JBAY was founded in 2004 by California State Senator John Burton and has offices in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Diversity and inclusion are fundamental JBAY values. Together, our organization works to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our workforce, constituents, and our state, connecting us closer to the communities we serve. People of color, women, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
About the position
Reporting to the Director of Education and Career, the Senior Policy Advisor is a senior level subject matter expert or (individual contributor) responsible for leading JBAY’s campaign organizing and advocacy efforts throughout California.
Primary responsibilities include leading day to day legislative affairs, tracking legislation, and advocating for policy change and state budget investment. This role develops and manages the annual legislative advocacy calendar. It also leads coalition-based advocacy efforts at the local and state levels and convenes stakeholder workgroups with public agencies, community based organizations, school districts, post-secondary institutions, and youth advocates.
Additional duties include conducting research, analyzing data, and preparing program evaluation reports. Develops written materials such as policy briefs, technical assistance publications, outreach materials, and media content. This role will also provide training and technical assistance to partner organizations and support grant management and fundraising efforts.
Program goals: Advance JBAY’s goals to ensure that young people in California who have experienced foster care or homelessness are prepared for, gain access to, and succeed in postsecondary education and career pathways that lead to economic mobility and opportunity.
Required qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in public policy, social work, or related field
- 5+ years of experience developing and leading campaigns, including building strategy, coordinating partners, and driving implementation towards measurable goals
- 7+ years of experience in California state policy and/or budget advocacy
- Experience designing and conducting research, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and website or content audits, and translating findings into clear recommendations
- Knowledge or experience with K-12 education, postsecondary education, student homelessness, or child welfare/foster care
- Excellent written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated mastery of critical thinking skills and analytical reasoning
- Ability to maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- Excellent facilitation skills, with demonstrated expertise in developing in-person and virtual events and meetings
- Ability to multi-task, research, and meet deadlines
- Self-directed and able to work with minimal supervision
- Strong commitment to the mission of the organization and program
- Ability to travel – some overnight travel may be required
Preferred qualifications
- Master’s Degree
- Experience providing technical assistance and training
Work schedule & location
- This is a remote position requiring California residency with a preference for Sacramento County residency
- Periodic travel to in-person meetings and conferences is required as needed
- Evening and weekend work may be required
Compensation & benefits
- Full-time exempt position; $105,000–$130,000 annually, depending on experience
- 100% employee coverage of health, dental, and vision; 50% coverage of spouse and/or dependents
- 100% employee coverage of life insurance, long-term disability, and AD&D
- Vacation starting at 15 days, and then after two years will be 20 days
- Sick leave accrual of 96 hours per year based on full-time employee status
- 11 federal holidays
- Retirement plan with a match up to 5%
- Up to $75 monthly cell phone stipend
- Four weeks of paid Wellness Leave after five years with the organization
How to apply
Please email your resume along with responses to the Supplemental Application Questions below to lynnette@cascadechr.com.
Supplemental application questions
- Summarize your experience with California policy or budget advocacy and share a notable legislative win from your career. Describe your role in securing the win.
- Please submit two written work samples (or links to published pieces) that demonstrate your ability to communicate policy, research, or program concepts to external audiences, with your resume.
- One sample needs to be a professional level researched document such as a large publication, research report, study, policy agenda document, etc.
- The second sample can be any other policy communication document you choose including: policy briefs, draft bill language, fact sheets, legislative memos, technical assistance tool kits or publications, newsletter articles, media releases, op-eds or other program outreach materials, etc.
*If you submit a work product that is co-authored, please note and identify the sections authored by you alone.
John Burton Advocates for Youth – JBAY provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
EEO / Nondiscrimination statement: Cascade Career & HR Development complies with all applicable federal and state Equal Opportunity laws and regulations. CCHR does not discriminate select or refer candidates, nor does it consent to discrimination by its clients on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or disability.