Policy Manager, Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus
Location: Hybrid Work Schedule, Based in San Francisco or Oakland, CA
Type: Regular, Full-Time, Exempt Position. This position is included in the collective bargaining unit represented by CWA Local 9410.
Compensation: Salary is based on years of relevant experience and principles of internal equity. Starting annual salary range for this position is $85,000 up to a maximum of $121,190 per year.
Applicants are encouraged to apply by October 31, 2023.
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package including generous vacation, paid holidays, medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage. ALC pays 100% of premiums for employees and 75% for qualified dependents); Flexible spending account (FSA) and 401K retirement plan with employer contribution and match.
ALC offers an additional $1,000 annual compensation for proficiency in a language other than English and an additional $1,000 annual compensation for a graduate degree(s).
The Opportunity
Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Asian Law Caucus (ALC) seeks a savvy and creative advocate to manage its Bay Area policy and budget advocacy efforts. We are pursuing candidates who are critical thinkers, take initiative, and thrive in a work environment that is both collaborative and fast-paced. This position is an excellent opportunity to engage with the talented ALC program staff, policymakers, community partners, and other advocates to help bring about policy change.
The role of the Policy Manager is to design and implement the local policy and budget advocacy agenda with ALC’s Policy Team and Programs. The Policy Manager will play a critical role in the organization’s strategic engagement in the Bay Area. This is a new position and will report to the Policy Director.
The Organization
Advancing Justice – ALC is the nation’s first legal organization focusing on advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (APIs). Since 1972, Advancing Justice – ALC has litigated high-profile civil rights cases, advocated for the passage of landmark policy changes, and provided an array of services, including community education, advocacy, and direct client representation to further the rights of low-income immigrants and communities of color. Current program areas include Workers’ Rights, Immigrant Rights, Housing Rights, Criminal Justice Reform, National Security and Civil Rights, and Voting Rights. A growing staff of over 50 provides strong collegial support and opportunities to learn about and collaborate with other program areas. Advancing Justice - ALC is a founding member of the national Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation with partners in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.Advancing Justice – ALC is based in San Francisco, a hub of the Asian American rights movement, progressive politics, and social justice activism. Our location in Chinatown is the first mixed-use, affordable housing co-op in San Francisco, serving as a model for preserving affordable housing in the city and protecting tenants’ rights.
Primary Responsibilities
- Partner with the Policy Team and Program Staff to develop and implement local policy and budget advocacy campaigns that advance the empowerment of low-income, immigrant, and underserved Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) and Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and South Asian (AMEMSA) communities
- Manage engagement efforts at the local level to ensure successful coordinated outreach to officials and civic leaders
- Build and maintain strategic local partnerships with policymakers, community groups, and other advocates
- Monitor local policies and legislative proposals for impact on low-income, immigrant and underserved API and AMEMSA communities
- Support the development of written materials for policymakers on policy and budget priorities, including fact sheets, public comments, and letters of support
- Expand ALC's impact in the local policy advocacy space by supporting the development of our staff’s capacity to effectively advocate on behalf of issues impacting our clients
- The position is based in ALC's San Francisco or Oakland office and travel approximately one day a week to meetings in the surrounding Bay Area Region (for example, San Francisco, Alameda County, Santa Clara County, and Contra Costa County)
- Perform other duties as needed
- All ALC staff are expected to participate in regular check-in meetings with their supervisor/supervisees, staff meetings, team meetings, and other organization meetings, as required.
Note: This job description is subject to change and is not intended to constitute a contract.
Qualifications
- A successful candidate will be team-oriented and possess both the strategic and management acumen required to navigate complicated relationships and work in diverse coalitions.
- Minimum three (3) years experience with local policy advocacy in the Bay Area.
- A track record of developing and maintaining strong working relationships with policymakers, community partners, and other advocates in the Bay Area.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving ability. Quick grasp of the subtleties of complex issues.
- Strong commitment to social justice
- Excellent analytical, written, public speaking, and facilitation skills
- Demonstrated leadership and ability to work independently and in collaboration with others
- Knowledge of one or more key advocacy areas such as criminal justice reform; housing; immigrant rights; national security/civil rights; voting rights; or workers' rights is a plus.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit the following by October 31, 2023.:
- Cover letter explaining your interest in the position
- Resume
- A writing sample of your work (no more than five (5) pages)
- Three (3) professional references
Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified persons are encouraged to apply, regardless of race, color, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition (including HIV, cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, marital or domestic partner status, reproductive health decision-making, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions) gender (including gender identity and gender expression), age (40 years and over), sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim and survivor status, political affiliation, height, weight, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws.