Senior Policy Advisor – Housing and Economic Mobility
John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY)
Overview
JBAY is seeking a mission-driven Senior Policy Advisor with deep experience driving advocacy efforts in California focused on housing and economic programs impacting youth. This self-directed individual contributor will lead JBAY’s campaign organizing and advocacy efforts statewide — leading a broad-based coalition, educating legislators and the public on youth homelessness, and advocating for policy change and state budget investment.
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. 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 Housing and Economic Mobility Director, the Senior Policy Advisor is a senior-level subject matter expert responsible for leading JBAY’s campaign organizing and advocacy efforts throughout California. Responsibilities include leading a broad-based coalition; educating legislators and the public on youth homelessness; advocating for policy change and state budget investment; conducting research and analyzing data; convening and coordinating stakeholder workgroups; engaging in strategic communications and developing written materials; providing implementation support, training, and technical assistance; and supporting grant management and fundraising activities.
Program goals: Advance JBAY’s multi-year campaign toward preventing and ending youth homelessness in California by strengthening prevention for youth connected to public systems including foster care, juvenile justice, and post-secondary institutions; building a sustainable statewide youth homelessness response system; and expanding economic stability.
Required qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in public policy, social work, or related field
- 5+ years developing and leading campaigns, including building strategy, coordinating partners, and driving implementation toward measurable goals
- 7+ years of experience in California state policy and/or budget advocacy
- Experience providing technical assistance and training
- Knowledge of housing solutions and programs supporting transition-age youth who have experienced foster care, juvenile probation, or homelessness, including parenting youth
- Excellent written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated mastery of critical thinking and analytical reasoning
- Ability to maintain strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- Excellent facilitation skills, including 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 in child welfare/foster care, youth homelessness, or other related social service fields
Schedule & location
- Remote - Sacramento, CA-based, with periodic travel to in-person meetings and conferences
- Evening and weekend work may be required
Compensation & benefits
- Full-time exempt; $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
- 15 vacation days, increasing to 20 after two years
- 96 hours of sick leave accrual per year
- 11 federal holidays
- Retirement plan with up to a 5% match
- Up to $75 monthly cell phone stipend
- Four weeks of paid Wellness Leave after five years
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.