The Senior Associate of Policy & Advocacy will be responsible for overseeing CCF’s policy and advocacy work. This includes continuing our work with national partners on our initiatives to Ban the Box on college applications, and to restore Pell grant eligibility to incarcerated students; it also includes creating and launching an advocacy training program for CCF students and other women affected by mass incarceration. The SAPA should be a strong writer, exceptional communicator, creative, and analytical. The SAPA will work with CCF students, advocacy partners in NYC, City Councilmembers, and US Senators to reach our goals; the SAPA will report to the Executive Director and will be assisted by the Program & Policy Assistant. Should funding allow, the SAPA will hire a Community Organizer.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Create and launch an advocacy training program for women affected by mass incarceration, focused on issues-based education and storytelling, and working with advocacy partners in NYC and beyond
- Plan and host regular meetings for advocacy training
- Manage continuing campaigns on Ban the Box and Pell Grant restoration by providing legislative education to Congressional representatives and keeping supporters mobilized through actions and updates
- Work with Communications Associate to obtain press coverage of appropriate events and initiatives
- Meet with City Councilmembers to develop relationships and participate in the Alternative to Incarceration Coalition on behalf of CCF
- Work with Director of Programs to deliver programming in a trauma-informed manner
- Work with Director of Development & Communications to obtain funding for policy/advocacy work and report to funders on progress
- Assist with coordination of updates & improvements on the website
- Serve as a spokesperson for College & Community Fellowship’s media opportunities
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Working knowledge of the criminal justice system
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice.
- Knowledge of public policy, and grassroots organizing
- Significant (ideally at least 5 years) professional experience in the policy department of a city, state, or national organization
- Relationship-building skills, experience working with coalitions preferred
- Ability to work independently and cooperatively
- Superior writing skills with the ability to synthesize complex information into compelling written materials
- Excellent verbal communication skills; ability to craft messages that resonate with multiple audiences
- Public speaking skills
- Ability to thrive and learn in a fast-paced environment, comfort in a growth-oriented and changing initiative
- Passion for CCF’s mission
- Flexibility and willingness for limited travel and occasional events outside work hours
- Flexible, self-directed and highly-organized
- Able to work simultaneously on a number of projects
- Superior computer skills and willingness to learn and use new technology
- Basic office skills (typing, internet research, scheduling, filing, telephone, fax, mail)
- Experience in website maintenance, communications, a plus
- Strong quantitative skills and ability to analyze government and academic data and reports
- Willingness to adjust to fluctuating organizational priorities.
Benefits: Benefit package worth an additional 29% of salary
Level of Language Proficiency: English, and Spanish would be helpful
Professional Level: Managerial
Minimum Education Required: 4-year degree
How To Apply
msteinhardt@collegeandcommunity.org
http://collegeandcommunity.org
Email Melanie Steinhardt, Director of Development & Communications at msteinhardt@collegeandcommunity.org.
Include a cover letter, resume, and writing sample relevant to the job description. Please use “Last Name- Senior Associate of Policy & Advocacy” as the subject line. No phone calls please.
CCF is an EEOC employer. Persons with criminal justice histories are encouraged to apply.
