Senior Public Policy Advocate

Disability Rights California•Oregon, WA

2d•Remote

About The Position

The Senior Public Policy Advocate is part of the policy unit for Disability Rights California (DRC) and is responsible for legislative advocacy activities. The Senior Public Policy Advocate identifies, monitors, and advocates on legislative activities that affect Californians with disabilities; leads DRC’s policy work in multiple disability rights areas; and has working knowledge of all areas covered by Disability Rights California.

Requirements

J.D. or advanced 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. (A BA or BS degree in a relevant field plus two years of experience as a legislative staffer or advocate can be substituted for a J.D. or post graduate degree.)
Three years of experience in legislative advocacy, legislative staffing, or public policy development.
Two years of additional experience in any of the following areas: 1) legislative advocacy/legislative staffing; 2) community organizing; or 3) advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.
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.
Experience reviewing, analyzing and lobbying with local, state, and/or federal budget process.
Demonstrated ability to independently analyze complex legislation and draft related statements on behalf of the organization.
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.
Demonstrated ability to participate in stakeholder meetings and build relationships with government officials/offices to influence public policy.
Must be a registered lobbyist or become registered within 60 days of employment.
Must attend Lobbyist Ethics Course.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual: Spanish, American Sign Language or an Asian language.
Life experience as a person with a disability or connection to disability.
Demonstrated ability to draft sponsored bill language, budget trailer bill language and bill amendments.
Experience as staff working with board of directors and/or similar task forces and committees.
Experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons with disabilities and/or experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons from multi-ethnic communities.
Experience with CapitolTrack or other legislative tracking platform.
Experience representing an organization, office or agency in the media.
Contacts with disability organizations or within disability communities.

Responsibilities

Public Policy Advocacy – 100%
Works closely with the public policy staff, the Legal Advocacy Unit, the Investigations Unit, and the Communications team.
Legislative Advocacy – 100%
Lead DRC’s policy work in multiple subject areas.
Independently identify and develop sponsored bill ideas.
Draft and advocate on multiple priority bills and budget items, including DRC-sponsored legislation.
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 organization and the disability community.
Analyze and develop policy recommendations on policy and budget proposals with limited support from legal and advocacy staff.
Draft position letters and amendments on complex bills and budget items.
If local, testify as appropriate at legislative and budget committee hearings.
If remote, coordinate testimony for legislative and budget committee hearings.
Engage in advocacy activities at the Capitol and within the disability community on issues of importance to the disability community.
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.
Organize, train, and develop easy to understand materials on complex legislative matters for California grassroots constituencies to understand and respond to state and national issues and legislation.
Represent Disability Rights California in the media on areas of expertise and work with the Director of Communications to identify legislative matters for the media, assist with developing press releases, and other press related materials.
Limited travel, as assigned.
Perform other duties, as assigned.
If in Washington, DC: Represent DRC in federal policy matters, including letters, comments, coalitions, hearings, and meetings with Congressional staff.