Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs

California CASA Association•Sacramento, CA

21h•Remote

About The Position

The California Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association is seeking a full-time Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs (DPLA) to report to the Chief Program Officer (CPO) and work in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other senior staff. This role is crucial for advancing CA CASA’s legislative, public policy, and government relations priorities. The DPLA will lead statewide advocacy, policy development, government relations, research initiatives, and systems-change efforts. This position was established in 2026 to support CA CASA's major effort to secure permanent State funding, following significant legislative appropriations in 2022 and 2026. The DPLA will collaborate with local CASA programs, contract lobbyists, legislators, judicial leaders, state agencies, philanthropic partners, and allied organizations to strengthen statewide partnerships, support Board policy leadership, and elevate the voices of local CASA programs, CASA volunteers, and youth to inform and influence public policy. The role involves translating field experience, data, and emerging policy issues into actionable legislative strategies to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and families. The DPLA will ensure advocacy, research, and statewide engagement efforts are strategic, coordinated, and responsive, supporting the CEO as the primary legislative advocate.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Law, Social Work, Nonprofit Management, or related field.
7+ years of progressively responsible experience in public policy, legislative affairs, government relations, advocacy, nonprofit management, or related fields.
Demonstrated knowledge of CA’s legislative process and CA’s state government.
Experience supporting legislative advocacy campaigns or statewide initiatives.
Exceptional writing, research, policy analysis, and communication skills.
Strong project management and organizational skills.
Experience developing policy briefs, reports, or legislative materials.
Ability to build relationships with diverse public and private sector stakeholders.
Track record of working effectively with executive leaders, governing boards, public officials, and diverse stakeholders.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and political discretion.
Ability to travel regularly throughout CA, particularly to Sacramento.
Resides in the greater Sacramento area.
Must have a valid driver’s license and automobile insurance.
Must have a satisfactory driving record and regular access to a vehicle for meetings and activities.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Political Science, Law, Social Work, Nonprofit Management, or related field.
Experience working with nonprofit associations or statewide membership organizations.
Experience working with child welfare, juvenile justice, dependency courts, education, behavioral health, or related systems.
Knowledge of CA CASA programs and the dependency/juvenile justice court systems.

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic advisor to the CEO on legislative, public policy, and government affairs matters.
Lead and manage day-to-day government affairs functions, including legislative bill tracking, advocacy logistics, and record-keeping.
Develop and implement CA CASA’s annual legislative agenda, public policy priorities, and state budget advocacy strategy in partnership with the CEO and CPO.
Develop and maintain the annual legislative advocacy calendar, coordinating budget advocacy, bill tracking, committee meetings, and advocacy campaigns.
Advise the CEO and Board of Directors on emerging legislative, regulatory, and public policy issues and recommend strategic responses.
Collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team to ensure policy priorities align with the Strategic Plan and organizational goals.
Integrate legislative advocacy, research, communications, philanthropy, and program expertise into a unified organizational strategy.
Represent the CEO and CA CASA in statewide meetings, workgroups, and strategic partnerships.
Coordinate advocacy efforts to secure ongoing state appropriations, public investments, and policy initiatives.
Monitor implementation of newly enacted legislation and identify opportunities for improvements.
Track state legislation, budget proposals, regulations, and administrative actions affecting children, youth, and CASA programs.
Coordinate CA CASA’s annual state budget request and legislative funding strategy, legislative positions, bill sponsorships, and coalition sign-on letters.
Prepare legislative testimony, budget proposals, coalition letters, briefing materials, and advocacy campaigns.
Support the CEO in advancing legislative and budget advocacy with the Governor’s Office, Legislature, Judicial Council, and relevant state agencies.
Prepare legislative briefings, talking points, background materials, policy analyses, and testimony for the CEO and BOD.
Serve as primary staff liaison to the contract lobbying firm in Sacramento.
Act as the primary staff liaison to the Board Legislative Advocacy and Public Policy Committee, developing workplans and coordinating meetings.
Facilitate development and annual review of Legislative Platforms, Policy Agendas, and Board-approved policy position statements.
Ensure effective communication regarding legislative priorities and advocacy activities between the Board, staff, and local CASA programs.
Prepare policy recommendations, issue briefs, and legislative analyses for committee review.
Provide regular progress reports to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team.
Guide statewide data collection, evaluation, and outcomes strategies, leveraging data to demonstrate impact and inform decisions.
Use program data to support impact storytelling, grant reporting, and organizational communications.
Translate lessons learned from local CASA programs into statewide policy recommendations.
Research emerging child welfare, juvenile justice, education, behavioral health, and related policy issues.
Write policy briefs, white papers, and reports to address CA CASA organizational priorities.
Coordinate statewide policy research initiatives and evaluation efforts.
Develop annual statewide policy recommendations informed by network experience and data.
Support the development of CA CASA policy position statements and translate complex policy issues into practical guidance.
Monitor implementation of state policies across CA CASA’s network and identify trends and opportunities.
Foster regional collaboration among local CASA programs to strengthen grassroots advocacy efforts.
Coordinate statewide Legislative Advocacy Teams (LATs) and support regional advocacy.
Develop training for local EDs/CEOs, Board members, CASA volunteers, and former foster youth.
Lead legislative workshop processes for local CASA programs to surface bill ideas.
Ensure local CASA program experiences inform statewide policy priorities and expand the LAT initiative.
Coordinate statewide policy meetings and communications, including a monthly Legislative Advocacy Webinar.
Develop advocacy resources and messaging for local programs and stakeholders.
Plan and coordinate the annual CASA Day at the Capitol.
Build and manage a statewide digital advocacy tool for rapid advocate activation.
Facilitate the CASA State Legislative Committee, comprised of network members.
Build and maintain strategic relationships with statewide legislative offices, executive branch agencies, judicial leaders, statewide associations, advocacy coalitions, and philanthropic partners.
Cultivate relationships with legislative staff, consultants, and key state agency personnel.
Represent CA CASA in statewide policy coalitions, advisory committees, workgroups, and strategic partnerships.
Identify opportunities to strengthen CA CASA’s leadership, visibility, and influence within CA’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems.