Senior Policy Associate

Hope Solutions•Pleasant Hill, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Hope Solutions, formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, is a non-profit agency dedicated to providing permanent housing and support services to homeless or at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County. The Senior Policy Associate will expand Hope Solutions' efforts to impact local, state, and federal policy advocacy to influence public funding and service systems to increase adequate resources to prevent and end homelessness. A successful candidate for this position will have the proven capacity to engage with resident leaders, staff, government partners, elected officials, and our clients around key advocacy initiatives.

Requirements

At least 3 years relevant experience that can include policy development, communications, government relations, real estate development, social justice, or community organizing.
Pragmatic, strategic thinker with demonstrated experience advancing strategies in sensitive political environments.
Demonstrated commitment and experience working with issues affecting vulnerable populations.
Must be comfortable speaking in public, facilitating meetings, and have excellent communication and diplomacy skills required for politically sensitive situations.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with attention to detail in a demanding environment.
Flexibility with work hours, including occasional evening and weekend meetings.
Strong proficiency in MS Office and excellent writing and research skills.
Bachelor’s degree; preferably in public policy, public administration, political science, etc. may substitute three years of equivalent work experience.
Master’s degree preferred.
Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
Must have operational vehicle, auto insurance, valid California driver's license, and be willing to drive for work.
Must pass LiveScan screening and TB test.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English and Spanish are a plus.

Responsibilities

Partner with Hope Solutions CEO, Board of Directors, Vice President of Strategy and Development, and Resident Empowerment Program (REP) leaders to develop, iterate, and implement Hope Solutions’ policy and advocacy strategies. This will include field research, assessments with staff, interviews with our peers and partners, and the on-going monitoring and adjustment to our Advocacy and Policy Plan.
Build and maintain relationships with and represent Hope Solutions with local governments, regional agencies, elected officials, and local and regional policy coalitions in support of the Advocacy and Policy plan and other strategic organization priorities.
Guide and support the Hope Solutions Resident Empowerment Team as they advocate and advance movements for the creation and retention of affordable housing and supportive services. Additionally, provide logistical and organizational support to REP leaders to ensure effective meetings, events, operations, and collaboration.
Track and communicate potential budget and legislative changes, as well as emerging issues, at the local, regional, and state levels, and identify opportunities for action.
Support the development of proposal packages for government contracts, through project coordination, drafting written content, and proofreading/quality assurance processes.
Support private grant writing and fundraising to develop and expand our local, regional, and statewide policy efforts.
Draft stakeholder-facing materials, that may include impact reports, white papers, op eds, and social media content, and collaborate on the annual impact report in partnership with Grants & Communications Manager.
Track documents and communication related to government and private contracts to support compliance and trust with funders, as needed.
Build materials for and provide support to Board of Directors’ Policy and External Relations Committee and related bodies.
Frequently attend and represent Hope Solutions at community, government, and partner events throughout Contra Costa County, periodically in the evening or on weekends.
Provide support to Hope Solution events intended to enhance organizational visibility.
Awareness of and aptitude to understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based differences within group environments appropriately and effectively.
Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice and housing justice.
Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, and personal humility.
Participate in and complete our new employee onboarding process, which includes reading and discussing a short chapter in the book The Color of Law.
Professionally represent Hope Solutions in all circumstances.
Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, standards of practice, and outcome measures for the programs, as well as consistent with the contracts.
Comply with all legal/ethical professional guidelines for maintaining consumer confidentiality, adhering to HIPAA guidelines, protecting consumer rights, advocating on consumers' behalf, and assuring consumer safety.
Comply with all local, state, and federal regulations
Attend all required meetings, including but not limited to Hope Solutions staff meetings and linkage meetings with other agencies.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.