Position: National Policy Advocate
Department: National Team
Position Type: Full-Time ─ Exempt
Salary Range: $59,000 – $90,000, depending on experience and location
Location: New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Birmingham, or remote (work from home)
Reports to: National Director

Job Summary

At this critical time for lower-income, frontline communities and people of color, JMA is uniquely positioned to advance a powerful agenda for equitable job creation and climate justice. JMA is engaging in high-level federal advocacy work to encourage the Biden administration to follow through on its commitment to “Build Back Better” by ensuring that jobs created with federal funds are good jobs available to those who need them most. We recently won a significant victory in the bipartisan infrastructure law to allow local hiring on federally-funded projects. We are seeking a National Policy Advocate to work with community groups around the country to both expand and entrench this victory at the federal level, and to fight for strong local policies in their own communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain 1:1 relationships through regular meetings and consistent follow-up with key stakeholders
• Recruit new partners to join or support our coalitions and advocacy efforts
• Support JMA’s local teams to effectively engage in our federal advocacy work
• Provide technical assistance to local groups to support local advocacy efforts around local hiring and good jobs policies
• Work closely with the rest of the National Team to coordinate on ongoing campaign efforts
• With proper training from the National and Communications team, develop the ability to act as an effective spokesperson for JMA’s vision, work and campaigns
• With assistance from team director, Organizer may develop whitepapers, fact sheets and other campaign materials
• Comply with all organizational policies and procedures, including timely attention to administrative responsibilities
• Help contribute to JMA’s organizational development, for example assisting with grants efforts, and participating in JMA staff committees (not to exceed 15% of time)
• Contribute to the development of comprehensive campaign strategy through regular power mapping, analysis of the political landscape and identification of opportunities to build the power we need in order to win
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the political landscape and dynamics within our coalition spaces
• Work with National team and Communications team to strategize on earned media and other press opportunities for JMA

Qualifications and Expectations

The ideal candidate is able to dive into our campaigns and take initiative over their work. You should have most of the following qualifications:

• 3-10 years of experience in labor, community, environmental, advocacy and/or political campaigns. Candidates with more extensive work experience may be considered for a Senior role with additional responsibilities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to effectively communicate JMA’s work to the public and to a wide variety of stakeholders which may include coalition and union partners, elected officials and government employees, among others.
• Knowledge of the policy landscape or involvement in an advocacy campaign
• Ability to build and sustain authentic and productive working relationships with colleagues across race and other group identities, including JMA employees as well as external partners
• Ability to continually assess and deepen the commitment of key stakeholders, through regular 1:1s, thoughtful asks, and securing of commitments
• Maintain a high level of timely follow-up to follow through on commitments – both personal commitments made as well as commitments made by partners
• Demonstrated self-awareness, empathy, and social skills in work and interpersonal interactions
• Facilitation skills and ability to move coalition members to shared agreement and action
• Ability to work independently and remotely when necessary
• Ability to carry out assignments to completion and meet deadlines
• Familiarity with GoogleSuite and openness to learn new administrative programs

Benefits

• Employer pays 100 percent of medical, dental, and vision premiums
• Generous time off including 12 personal days, 12 paid vacation days, 12 sick days, 12 paid holidays, paid family leave, and eligibility to apply for a paid sabbatical after 5 years
• Annual raises
• 401(k) plan with 5% employer contribution after 6 months of employment
• Flexible Spending Account
• Work from home stipend of $75/month
• Cell phone reimbursement
• Mileage and parking reimbursement for work-related mileage
• Qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer
• Professional development opportunities
• Work from home office set up provided if needed
• This position is part of the staff union

COVID-19 Precaution(s)

• Remote interview process
• Virtual meetings
• Due to COVID-19, all JMA employees are temporarily working remotely.

How to Apply

Please use the following link to apply: https://jmaportal.bamboohr.com/jobs/view.php?id=11

JMA Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

We are an EEO/affirmative action employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of race, ethnicity, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, or disability. We work to ensure fair treatment of applicants and employees and actively enforce zero tolerance policies against discrimination and sexual harassment.  

Those who identify as persons of color, women, veterans, or formerly incarcerated persons, and/or have had experience working with one or more of those groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

JMA Diversity and Inclusion Statement

JMA believes that a diverse, engaged, and motivated employees are essential to achieving our goals of economic, racial and social justice. JMA believes that each employee voice is valuable and that when all employees contribute to ideas to the organization’s operation, it enhances the success of the organization overall.