Public Policy Organizer

Summary

This position is a support role for YWCA Public Policy Committee, Chief Program Officer, Executive Director for Snohomish County, CEO and requires knowledge of local, state and national public policy in order to advance the YWCA’s mission of Eliminating Racism and Empowering Women. The PPO must implement the Participant Centered Strategy which supports the Race and Social Justice Workplan. In this position, you will be the point person that links various City/County Councils (Seattle/King/Snohomish) and State elected officials and their staff with appropriate YWCA Executive Staff; organize politicians with site visits; provide information on program and services of the YWCA and our public policy priorities. She/He/They will also sit on coalitions and committees, on behalf of the YWCA, that represent human services, housing/homelessness, economic advancement and health/safety; she/he/they also support YWCA staff with their work on various coalitions and committees. This position will implement a multi-pronged strategy for program participants around voter engagement education and mobilization within the political process. This job requires flexibility of hours in order to respond to political issues the YWCA prioritizes; including attendance at meetings, forums, and hearings any time of the day in King and Snohomish County. This strategy will include, but is not limited to: research, briefing and preparation of position papers, event planning, testifying, and attending public hearings on the agency’s behalf.

This position has a social justice component that requires critical thinking through the lens of racism and intersections with poverty. Knowing the core principals of antiracism and grounding those principles in everyday work are required job skills and core values. As an equal opportunity employer, we highly encourage people of color to apply.

Responsibilities:
  • Must be able to work across all levels from Board Members to YWCA staff and program participants
  • Provides technical assistance and support for Public Policy Committee in partnership with CPO, ED-Snohomish, Public Policy Committee Chair
  • Keeps the CPO, ED-Snohomish, Public Policy Chair informed of state and national issues that tie to our advocacy work; mobilize action and responses as needed
  • Represents the YWCA on various coalitions and committees as assigned by the CPO and ED-Snohomish
  • Clearly articulates the Participant Centered Strategy of the YWCA to educate, organize and mobilize
  • Meets with and informs YWCA staff that work around public policy to ensure their committee, coalition and advocacy work is strategic, effective and intentional, creating the most impact for the clients we serve. This coordination includes clear communication with Regional Directors and the CPO, ED-Snohomish around staff committee, coalition and community advocacy work
  • Develops position papers that support the YWCA position(s) on Race and Gender equity, centering those furthest away from equity. This includes written briefings as necessary
  • Coordinates with FireSteel staff to ensure that all publications and action items are in line with and support the political advocacy/strategy of the agency
  •  Staffs opportunities for CEO and Board to meet and engage with public officials up to and including prepared remarks
  • Works in partnership with program staff to mobilize client engagement in advocacy. This includes organizing all details for program participants/staff/community such as: HAAD (Homeless Advocacy Day in Olympia), Candidates Forums, Voter Education and Registration, Advocacy Training, Staff and Participant input for Advocacy Agenda, and any other events or participatory actions on behalf of the YWCA
  • Must manage their schedule to be flexible and respond in the moment to keep up with political change
  • Actively engages in agency-wide Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI), and strives for racially equitable outcomes; takes responsibility for creating and maintaining a safe and welcoming community by making room for people of color, trans and gender-non-conforming folks, and other populations who routinely encounter systemic oppressions
  • Adhere to all Volunteer Services protocol relative to volunteer usage, recognition and monitoring
  • Attend required safety trainings and meetings; follow all safety and health guidelines, standards, practices, policies and procedures; and actively participate in the agency’s Emergency Preparedness program and activities
  • This position description generally describes the principle functions of the position, the level of knowledge and skills typically required and the general scope of responsibility. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities and should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals will perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications & Core Competencies:
  • Knowledge on Race and Gender Inequity in institutions for those furthest away from opportunity (African American, Native American, Latinx, Pacific Islander)
  • Demonstrated ability to implement the Race and Social Justice Participant Centered Strategy Plan
  • Ability to work well and independently in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, communities, and people. This includes demonstrated community work with identified communities that are furthest away from opportunity in King and Snohomish Counties: African American, Native American, Latinx, Pacific Islander
  • Three to five years’ experience in advocacy, policy, and community organizing or any combination of skills and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform this job. This includes working in AND reliable connections with local, state and national level political circles (coalitions, City Council, State Legislature, Congress)
  • Connections to organizers and advocacy leaders in communities that are furthest away from equity
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Excellent writing skills, MUST include proficiency at interpreting political linguistics. Ability to produce technical documents; includes ability to produce documents on a quick timeline
  • Excellent speaker – political engagement training desired
  • Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and working knowledge of social media (including infographics)
  • Demonstrated ability to work with diverse workforce, constituents, and volunteers
  • Assure clients and volunteers are treated with respect and dignity regardless of race, ethnic, background, gender or socioeconomic background
  • Demonstrated work to develop collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders
  • Strong problem-solving, priority-setting, public speaking and decision-making skills
  • Demonstrated ability to represent the agency well including the promotion of community service and public speaking
  •  Flexibility to travel as far as Snohomish County or nationally as needed. Car or ability to drive rideshare car preferred
  • Experience working with communities of color and people from different cultures than your own
  • Demonstrated commitment to anti-racist principles
  • Demonstrated understanding of the intersection of racism and poverty
  • Core Competencies: initiative, sound judgment, relationship building, organizational understanding, communication: oral and written communication, planning, professionalism, organization and leading others
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. In performing this job, the employee:

  • All positions at YWCA of Seattle | King | Snohomish are exposed to clients who have experienced or are experiencing trauma in various forms including but not limited to: domestic violence, sexual violence, homelessness, unemployment, financial hardship, etc.  As a result, staff are at risk of secondary trauma. Employees are encouraged to seek external support and maintain self-care when working indirectly or directly with clients
  • Continuously performs indoor work including sitting while operating a computer
  • Continuously exchanges information through listening and talking with clients, agency staff, employers, representatives of community organizations and other individuals in the community
  • Frequently stands, walks, sits and climbs in performing duties in the workspace and in the community
  • Frequently reaches and grasps in using telephones, computers, fax machines and other office equipment and supplies
  • Occasionally travel between the 3 downtown properties via bus and/or walking
  • Occasionally lifts/carries 10 pounds or less
  • Occasionally stands, squats, kneels and bends while performing job duties

 Continuously defined as 80% of the time, Frequently 20-80% of the time, and Occasionally under 20% of the time

Hours, Rate & Benefits:

  • Salary: Competitive
  • Full-time, 40 hours per week
  • Pay grade: 35
  • Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Classification: Exempt
  • Excellent benefits package including medical insurance, retirement plan, plus generous vacation, holiday and sick-leave plans.
  • At the time of hire, employees may choose to voluntarily enroll in the Fidelity 403b Plan. Typically after two years ofemployment, employees are eligible to participate in the YWCA Retirement Fund.

To view the full job description, and to apply, visit: https://careers.ywcaworks.org/Careers/Careers.aspx?req=19-07001&type=IEXAMINER

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