Job Description
Policy & Advocacy Manager
Overview
For three decades, School’s Out Washington (SOWA) has served a critical role to advance equitable expanded learning ecosystems in Washington state. We work to ensure high-quality afterschool and summer programs are available so all of Washington’s youth—and especially low-income youth and youth of color—can have the opportunities they deserve to thrive. SOWA is dedicated to building responsive community systems to support quality afterschool, youth development and summer programs for Washington’s children and youth ages 5 through young adulthood.
Position Summary
The Policy and Advocacy Manager will play a key role in mobilizing a movement for more equitable access to high quality expanded learning and youth development opportunities across Washington state. As part of SOWA’s small policy and advocacy team and large statewide coalition, the Youth Development Strategy Table, coordinating policy-related activities including policymaker outreach and advocacy planning; afterschool and summer system building; expanding opportunities for STEM education; and helping create communications for policymakers, providers, stakeholders, and the public.
Reports to: Strategy & Partnerships Director
Location: Remote from anywhere in Washington state, or from our King County office
RESPONSIBILITIES
Policy & Advocacy Support
- Working closely with the Strategy & Partnerships Director to mobilize support for SOWA and the Youth Development Strategy Table’s advocacy priorities
- Coordinate and support logistics for the Youth Development Strategy Table
- Assist in coordinating policy, advocacy and systems building projects
- Local, state, and federal legislation research, tracking, and analysis
- Stay up to date on emerging trends and research in expanded learning system-building, including resourcing the field, advancing equity within and through expanded learning opportunities, and Youth Program Quality initiatives across the country
- Strategize ways to implement new trends within the context of current and future work
Communications and Administrative Responsibilities
- Support project budgets, grant reporting, and lobbying public disclosure requirements
- Lead meeting administration including scheduling, securing space and food, taking notes, etc.
- Work with the Communications team to develop and implement a comprehensive advocacy communications plan including the creation of a variety of communication tools to inform and educate afterschool providers, policymakers, stakeholders and the community at-large about afterschool and related issues
- Write and/or solicit monthly newsletter articles for SOWA’s e-newsletter
- Lead the Light’s On Afterschool and Summer Learning Day communications strategies
- Design and create content for SOWA website and other online communications
- Expand SOWA’s use of effective technologies to reach broad audiences
- Stay up to date on current research and data and utilize information to create relevant fact sheets.
Other Responsibilities
- Address racism, sexism, heterosexism and other discriminatory practices, including reflecting and addressing how racism and bias may appear in the context of your work with others
- Work toward racial equity through undoing institutional and structural racism, including active participation in organizational learning
- Support overall office functionality and organization
- Participate in staff and team meetings
- Serve as an ambassador for the organization, both formally and informally
- Perform other duties as assigned
QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES
- 3+ years of professional experience in policy and advocacy, social service, public administration, education, child and youth development, recreation, or related field
- Experience working on policy, advocacy, or political campaigns preferred
- Deep knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices and experience working toward racial equity
- Direct knowledge and/or lived experience and connections to BIPOC communities
- Strong administration, coordination and organizing skills
- Strong leadership skills in convening and communication with stakeholders of diverse backgrounds and opinions
- Experience with various forms of public policy efforts and a clear understanding of education reform
- Understanding of the legislative process and relationships of public agencies preferred
- Understand the use of technology to support communication in different geographic locations
- Ability to synthesize, interpret, and communicate research and data to general audiences (or non- technical audiences)
- Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with demonstrated experience working effectively in collaboration with others
- Excellent oral and written communication and facilitation skills
- Requires flexibility in time requirements/constraints; may require some early morning, evening, weekend meetings, including some statewide and national travel and limited overnight stays
HOURS AND BENEFITS
40 hours per week, Monday-Friday; occasional evenings and weekends required
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Classification: Exempt
Eligible for Full Benefits
Starting salary range: $63,705-$79,630 DOE
Benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, 403b retirement savings plan, and generous paid time off
In accordance with COVID-19 safety practices, School’s Out Washington has a COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, and all new hires need to be fully vaccinated prior to their first day of employment or have an approved reasonable accommodation (based on a documented disability or sincerely held religious belief) exempting them from the requirement. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series vaccine or two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine.
School’s Out Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer. School’s Out Washington has a commitment to addressing racism, sexism, heterosexism and other discriminatory practices and a commitment to working toward racial equity through undoing institutional and structural racism. Women, People of Color, and LGBTQ individuals are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should send their resumes and cover letters as one document to jobs@schoolsoutwashington.org with the subject line “Policy & Advocacy Manager.” Applications without cover letters will not be considered.
Cover letters should be no more than 2 pages and should outline how your professional background, experience, interests, and passions specifically correlate to the position and SOWA’s mission and work.
Applications received by 5:00 PM (PST) March 2, 2023, will receive full consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted after this date. However, preferential consideration is given to those submitted by March 2. The announcement will remain posted until the position is filled.