Senior Policy Associate, Child Welfare

Children Now is a nonpartisan umbrella research, policy development, and advocacy organization dedicated to promoting children’s health, education, and well‐being in California. Children Now also leads The Children’s Movement of California, a grassroots network of more than 5,600 parent, youth, business, labor, civil rights, faith, and community‐based organizations, as well as thousands of individuals, working together to make children a top priority in public policy. Learn more at https://www.childrennow.org/.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled, detail-oriented, and self-motivated Senior Policy Associate to support Children Now’s substantial child welfare policy portfolio. This position is responsible for connecting with communities, young people with lived expertise, counties, and state agencies to ensure impactful and responsive implementation of new child welfare policies and programs, with a particular focus on initiatives impacting the physical and behavioral health of young people in foster care. This position also plays a central role in developing our child welfare policy positions and proposals, which determine our advocacy efforts at local, state, and federal levels.

This position plays a critical role in integrating our child welfare work with our health policy work and includes applying an equity focus to child welfare and the related systems that impact children and their families. The Senior Policy Associate engages in public speaking on behalf of the Child Welfare team and participates in developing publications about child welfare policy for public release. This role also serves as a key liaison to the organization’s partners and will have some responsibilities related to outreach and development.

This position requires someone with a strong work ethic, excellent project management skills, and who thinks strategically, takes initiative, and has a deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and a firm belief in Children Now’s mission to improve the health, education, and well-being of all children.

While candidates may have strengths and experience in certain areas outlined above and less skill or experience in others, the expectation is that one is open and willing to learn and address gaps effective. Candidates should be positive and solution-oriented, with a high level of integrity, strong work ethic, a deep commitment to racial equity, and a firm belief in Children Now’s mission to improve the health, education, and well-being of all children.

This is a full-time position in a hybrid work environment reporting to the Senior Managing Director, Child Welfare. The position will be located in Los Angeles or Oakland; some travel throughout the state and outside of California will be required.

Primary Responsibilities

  • Under the supervision of the Senior Managing Director, Child Welfare & Government Relations, the candidate will set goals, develop strategies, and conduct policy, advocacy and implementation work to advance Children Now’s comprehensive child welfare agenda;
  • Manage specific policy, advocacy and implementation projects, both in collaboration with other policy staff and as an independent lead, including contributing to project planning and strategy and ensuring execution of deliverables;
  • Apply knowledge of child welfare programs and policy to projects and publications to inform content;
  • Support strategy development of new child welfare and related issue areas;
  • Represent the organization effectively when engaging with individuals and organizations, conducting presentations throughout the state, and building strong relationships with partners, advocates, policymakers, consultants, and other stakeholders, including participation in key coalitions and development of joint policy strategies with key allies;
  • Conduct research and write policy briefs and fact sheets;
  • Review information from state agencies, gather feedback from communities and county systems, and collaborate with partners to support thoughtful implementation of programs and policies;
  • Provide technical assistance to state and county agencies, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders on policy implementation projects;
  • Provide content support to other teams, including other policy areas (such as Health, K-12 Education, and Early Childhood), Research, Communications and The Children’s Movement of California;
  • Track and analyze legislation, policy developments, and research related to Children Now’s issue areas;
  • Write or otherwise contribute significantly to funding proposals and grant reports to effectively convey the organization’s accomplishments, mission, strategy, and commitment to equity and to elevate the importance of child welfare issues in California, and support relationships with current and prospective funders, especially foundations;
  • Conduct email, phone and in-person engagement efforts for specific informational or advocacy campaigns at the state, regional and local levels, including fast paced, quick-turn-around campaigns related to specific policy opportunities, particularly changes or actions in the political arena; and
  • Build, support, and convene coalitions and facilitate workgroups or meetings.

Qualifications and Experience

  • Experience with child welfare or related policy and state agency and/or legislative advocacy;
  • Experience working with coalitions and policymakers;
  • Substantive knowledge of state and local child welfare law, policy and programs;
  • Substantive knowledge of health policy and programs strongly desired;
  • Knowledge of California’s political system;
  • Ability to advocate for and condense complex policy recommendations;
  • Exceptional written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills. Spanish language fluency a plus;
  • Ability to contribute to non-profit development and grant writing;
  • Skills to effectively build and manage relationships with colleagues, policy makers, partners, community-based organizations, young people, reporters, and funders.
  • Effective multi-tasking abilities and strategic and efficient time management skills;
  • Excellent project management abilities, including the ability to lead early planning and strategy development, incorporate a wide range of contributions of colleagues, partners and stakeholders, and manage multiple components and different stages of implementation;
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail; and
  • Highly flexible with a positive attitude and a willingness to take on a range of assignments and to support multiple projects according to priorities.
  • Bachelor’s degree required and advanced degree in law, public policy, social work, or related field strongly preferred

Compensation

The salary range is $80,000 to $95,000 for this position. Please also review our generous benefits package.

Application Process

Please complete the online application form. All applicants must attach the following as part of their online application: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, 3) and a two-to-three-page writing sample. Please submit attachments in PDF or Microsoft Word format only.

We do not accept phone inquiries regarding the position; please do not call. Position open until filled.

Children Now is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to staff diversity. People of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Children Now COVID-19 Vaccination Policy

The health and safety of our employees is our number one priority. Thus, Children Now has implemented a COVID-19 vaccination policy covering all employees. To be compliant with this policy, all new staff members shall be required to provide proof of their vaccine status at the start of their employment, unless a reasonable accommodation is requested and approved.