Public Policy Advocate I or Public Policy Advocate II

Disability Rights California•Sacramento, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Policy Advocate (I or II) is part of the policy unit for Disability Rights California (DRC) and is responsible for legislative and budget advocacy activities as well as community education, engagement, and empowerment. DRC Public Policy Advocates identify, monitor, and advocate on legislative and budget activities that affect disabled Californians.

Requirements

Experience and ability to work effectively with a variety of organizations and individuals with diverse perspectives, the public, elected and appointed officials, people with disabilities, and governmental agencies, especially at the state and local levels.
Demonstrated understanding of legislative process and protocols and public policy issues regarding rights of and services for persons with disabilities, and other public interest areas.
Demonstrated ability to analyze legislation and draft related statements on behalf of the organization, independently (Advocate II) or with support (Advocate I).
Knowledge of public policy developments and laws at the local, state, and federal levels regarding rights of and services for people with disabilities.
Ability to work collaboratively with other DRC staff, community organizations, agencies and the Legislature.
Ability to analyze complex problems, develop solutions, and explain legislation so it is easily understood by people in the Legislature and the general public, independently (Advocate II) or with support (Advocate I).
Public Policy Advocate II: At least one year of experience as a legislative staffer or advocate. Two years of additional experience in any of the following areas: 1) legislative advocacy or legislative staffing; 2) community organizing; or 3) advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.
Public Policy Advocate I: Two years of experience in any of the following areas: 1) legislative advocacy or legislative staffing; 2) community organizing; or 3) advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.
Resume and cover letter are required.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual: Spanish, American Sign Language, or an Asian language.
Life experience as a person with a disability or connection to disability.
Experience working in a California legislative office, legislative or budget committee, or working for the state in a legislative or budget development capacity.
Experience working with and/or sensitivity to disabled people and/or experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons from multi-ethnic communities.
J.D. or post graduate degree in related fields such as political science, public administration or other subjects that provide foundation for legal analysis, lobbying and drafting of legislation for people with disabilities.
Experience with CapitolTrack or other legislative tracking platforms.
Demonstrated ability to draft bill language, budget trailer bill language and bill amendments.
Demonstrated ability to participate in stakeholder meetings and build relationships with government officials/offices to influence public policy.
Contacts with disability organizations or within disability communities.

Responsibilities

Lead DRC’s policy work in at least one (for Advocate I) or two (for Advocate II) subject areas, for example: K-12 education, labor & employment, ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessibility.
Engage in advocacy activities at the Capitol and within the disability community on issues of importance to the disability community.
Represent DRC through the legislative process: advocate, consult, and negotiate with legislators and their staff, committee consultants, administrative department heads, and their staff and other stakeholders involved in the legislative process including other disability rights organizations and the disability community.
Analyze and develop recommendations on legislative and budget proposals, independently (Advocate II) or with support (Advocate I).
Draft position letters and amendments on bills and budget items, including DRC-sponsored legislation, independently (Advocate II) or with support (Advocate I).
Testify as appropriate at legislative committee hearings in Sacramento.
Act as a liaison and representative of DRC and build strong relationships with selected agencies, task forces, committees, coalitions and community-based organizations related to areas of responsibility.
Support (for Advocate I) or lead (for Advocate II) in developing easy-to-understand materials and training California grassroots constituencies to understand and respond to state and national policy issues.
Support Disability Rights California’s efforts in the media on assigned issue area(s), and (for Advocate II) work with the Communications team to identify policy matters for the media.
Limited travel, as assigned.
Perform other duties, as assigned.