VP of Policy and Government Relations

First Place for Youth•Oakland, CA

About The Position

We’re a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed. The Vice President (VP) of Policy and Government Relations will lead First Place’s government relations strategy to ensure the stability and growth of public funding that sustains the organization’s programs. This role establishes a clear policy framework that aligns all public policy activities with organizational goals and fiscal priorities. The Vice President of Policy and Government Relations will serve as the organization’s expert on entitlement programs, including Title IV-E and California’s 2011 Realignment, translating complex fiscal and policy issues into clear, actionable guidance for leadership and staff. Approximately 75 percent of the Vice President’s time will focus on county-level engagement, where most of First Place’s public funding is generated. This includes cultivating relationships with Boards of Supervisors, child welfare directors, and fiscal staff; tracking budget cycles and political developments; and identifying opportunities to expand or strengthen local funding partnerships. The remaining time will focus on state and federal policy, monitoring legislative and regulatory developments that affect THP-Plus, THP-NMD, and extended foster care. While the role does not currently have any direct supervision of employees, the Vice President will work with policy consultants in both Mississippi and in Washington, DC to support our efforts to transform systems around the country. The VP is an experienced government relations professional with deep knowledge of public funding, strong political and fiscal acumen, and the ability to build trusted relationships with government partners to advance First Place’s mission and sustainability.

Requirements

Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, social work, political science, law, preferred with minimum of eight years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, public policy, or intergovernmental affairs, preferably within a human services or publicly funded nonprofit environment. OR
Equivalent combination of education and minimum 10 years’ experience in government relations, legislative affairs, or public policy Demonstrated success in managing relationships with public agencies, elected officials, and policy staff at the county and state levels.
Deep understanding of California’s child welfare and foster care systems, including programs such as THP Plus, THP NMD, and extended foster care.
Expert knowledge of Title IV-E foster care entitlement and California's 2011 Realignment structure, funding formulas, and county budgeting implications; demonstrated ability to analyze complex fiscal data, identify trends, translate technical information into strategic recommendations, and navigate county budget advocacy
Proven ability to design and lead policy frameworks that drive funding stability and organizational growth; exceptional analytical, written, and verbal communication skills for briefing leadership and government stakeholders; skilled at building cross-departmental alignment between policy goals, program operations, and financial strategy
Proven success engaging county governments, Boards of Supervisors, and child welfare leadership; ability to map decision-making processes, identify key influencers, cultivate partnerships resulting in expanded funding, and execute comprehensive engagement plans including meetings, advocacy days, and site visits
Expert knowledge of California state budget process, legislative environment, and child welfare regulations; ability to monitor, interpret, and synthesize state policy developments for leadership decision-making and maintain strategic relationships with state officials, legislative staff, and associations
Familiarity with federal funding streams (Title IV-E), national extended foster care and youth housing trends, and coordinating with external consultants for consistent cross-state messaging
Strategic, highly organized leader with strong political and fiscal acumen; excels at managing multiple complex relationships and collaborating across departments and with external partners; values transparency, data-informed decision-making, and cultural competency;
Willingness to travel regularly throughout the Bay Area and approximately 25 percent of the time to Los Angeles, with occasional national travel. Availability for occasional evening and weekend work.

Responsibilities

Establish and maintain a clear policy framework that prioritizes the continuation, stability, and expansion of public funding streams that sustain First Place programs.
Ensure that all public policy activities are aligned with organizational goals and directly advance First Place’s mission and fiscal health.
Develop consistent messaging that emphasizes First Place’s focus on public program funding rather than broad social advocacy, providing clarity to external stakeholders and staff.
Build and maintain strong relationships with the five Bay Area counties and Los Angeles that collectively provide the majority of First Place’s public funding.
Serve as the organization’s lead representative to county Boards of Supervisors, child welfare directors, and fiscal and policy staff.
Establish systems to track key county developments, including changes in leadership, political priorities, and budget cycles.
Create and implement a county engagement calendar that includes recurring meetings, advocacy days, and periodic site visits for county officials.
Play an active role in each county’s annual budget development process by understanding timelines, committees, and decision-making structures, and by engaging early to ensure continued and expanded funding.
Serve as the organization’s internal expert on entitlement funding mechanisms, particularly the Title IV-E program and the 2011 Realignment structure.
Translate complex fiscal and regulatory information into clear, actionable guidance for First Place’s executive team.
Identify county-specific opportunities created by Realignment, such as large unspent fund balances in counties with declining foster care caseloads.
Collaborate with internal leadership and program staff to align county engagement strategies with operational and programmatic priorities.
Monitor California state legislation, budget proposals, and regulatory actions affecting THP NMD, foster care, and older youth policy.
Maintain relationships with key state agency staff, legislative committees, and statewide associations, including the California Department of Social Services and the County Welfare Directors Association.
Provide regular analysis and briefings to First Place leadership on state policies that impact entitlement programs, foster care eligibility, and county funding flows under 2011 Realignment.
Engage selectively in advocacy at the state level only when policy changes have direct implications for THP NMD or threaten access to foster care for older youth.
Monitor federal policy developments that may affect First Place’s operations, particularly any potential changes to the Title IV-E entitlement by working with the organization’s DC-based government relations firm.
Liaise with the government relations firm supporting First Place’s work in Mississippi, ensuring consistent messaging and coordination.
Stay informed about national trends in extended foster care, youth housing, and related funding structures to anticipate future opportunities or risks.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

15 days of vacation time in the first year
12 days of sick time
2 floating holidays
15 paid holidays
Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place on certain plans
Principal dental and vision coverage with up to 90% of the premium covered by First Place
Healthcare and Dependent care FSA plans
Principal basic life and voluntary life insurance coverage
Employee Assistance Program
401(k) retirement savings plan
Paid sabbatical