Deadline extended to 16 April 2021, 4.00 p.m. or until filled.
Job Description
Advocacy and Policy Manager
Temporary Position 12 mo – potential to become permanent dependent on funding
BACKGROUND
SESEC is a coalition of community based organizations, schools, and parents/caregivers working together to improve education in SE Seattle centered in BIPOC communities and those who are often missing from important conversations. We advocate for equitable educational policies for our children, families, and the SE Seattle community.
SESEC’s work is divided into two broad categories:
1) advocacy/policy/ systems change, and
2) building community voices.
This position will support both categories by bringing expertise and experience in policy, advocacy and systems change while providing leadership to strengthen the understanding of community leaders and parents/caregivers of color about educational policy and how to be more effective advocates for change.
SUMMARY OF POSITION
The position provides critical interim support on a broad range of tasks and activities to help formulate and implement SESEC’s 2021 advocacy programs, including up-to-date analysis and reporting on policy and funding discussions by Seattle Public Schools Board and City of Seattle educational committees, communications with coalition members, and support of advocacy communications and mobilization work.
This position is a temporary hire by SESEC with the possibility of becoming a permanent staff position, subject to funding and organizational needs.
RESPONSIBILITIES/ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
MONITORING SCHOOL BOARD AND CITY OF SEATTLE EDUCATION POLICY/FUNDING DISCUSSIONS
- Monitor school board and city discussions on educational policy and investments
- Analyze the impacts of policy and investment discussions and the impact on SE Seattle students and BIPOC communities
- Lead and/or assist in drafting materials advising of and supporting options for community advocacy efforts
- Support advocacy efforts of the organization and community members
COMMUNICATIONS
- Design and develop regular and timely communication pieces for SESEC constituents, (e.g., parents, guardians, non-profit leaders) advising them of policy and investment discussions being held at Seattle School Board, Seattle City Council and other forums.
- Arrange for translations into key languages
- Coordinate with SESEC Coalition Manager for distribution
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
- Lead SESEC’s Advocacy and Policy Cohort (APC) program – including curriculum updates, recruitment of participants and volunteers, etc.
- Design, develop and implement inter-APC cohort meetings; invite previous APC participants; organize agenda; invite speakers on topical issues.
- Encourage the development of inter-APC cohort projects; provide support and resources around issue areas identified by participants.
- Manage and grow the efforts around shared giving between schools (e.g. PTAs, PTOs, school communities), build and support models for this implementation, lead policy efforts to support these efforts.
- Develop other programs as needed to support SESEC’s advocacy efforts.
COALITION SUPPORT/COMMUNITY ORGANIZING
- Facilitation and support of coalition strategy sessions as needed.
- Direct contact with members of the coalition on key policy topics and strategy.
GENERAL
- Support SESEC Executive Director and staff with tasks, projects, and assignments.
- Responsible for clerical work (e.g. scheduling, calendar management, grant reporting, etc.).
- Strives for racially equitable outcomes; takes responsibility for creating and maintaining a safe and welcoming community by making room for people of color, trans and gender-non-conforming folks, and other populations who routinely encounter systemic oppressions.
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
- Minimum two years of experience working on education, early childhood policy, or human service policy issues in Seattle preferred, but open to other state or federal experience.
- Experience and ability to build trusting relationships with schools, nonprofits, BIPOC community, immigrant and refugee communities, school leaders, elected officials, and community members.
- Able to work independently and a self-starter with limited direct supervision and management.
- Work effectively with the internal staff team and coalition partners.
- Able to attend in person (when safe/post-COVID) – Seattle School Board and Seattle City Council meetings, possibly WA State Legislature. This will include evenings and weekends. Remote access to the meetings is appropriate during COVID-19.
- Able to provide clear, concise reports on policy discussions held at various forums. Skill and experience in writing and editing advocacy reports, one-pagers, background documents, etc.
- Able to work under deadlines and pay attention to details.
- Enjoy helping to develop systems and structures and manage growth and change.
- Demonstrated ability to understand and retain information in confidence, in highly sensitive political environments.
- We work in an open-concept office and will be expected to manage your time and be able to focus when needed and collaborate.
- Evenings and weekend work will be expected due to the Seattle Public Schools board meeting schedule.
- Committed to the mission of equity, cultivating a coalition, building the capacity of schools and community based organizations.
- Transportation to and from meetings including off-site meetings. SESEC will reimburse for reasonable business travel.
The position will report to the Executive Director. Until SESEC resumes normal office hours (due to COVID precautions), this position will work remotely. This is NOT a remote position – once we return to an in-person office there is an expectation the employee work in the office during core office hours. There is some flexibility in working from home is allowed with pre-approval and discretion of the supervisor.
HOURS, RATE, & BENEFITS
Salary range – $60,000-70,000/annual
Full Time, 32-40 hours per week
FLSA Status: Exempt
Benefits: SESEC pays for full medical and dental; employees are responsible for costs for spouse and/or dependents. Generous vacation and sick leave package, holiday schedule.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Submit a resume and cover letter (2 page limit for cover letter).
Please include three professional references.
Please send the application in one document.
Deadline extended to 16 April 2021, 4.00 p.m. or until filled.
Check back for anticipated interview dates (likely late April, week of 19th & 26th)
Email applications to [email protected], no phone calls.
SESEC an equal opportunity employer and is committed to workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion.