• Policy Counsel/Strategist\u007CEconomic justice/tech/democracy (State/Local)
• Policy Counsel/Strategist\u007CEconomic justice/appropriations/generalist role (Federal)

Responsibilities

• Provide input on a strategic plan for building Color of Change's advocacy strategies in coordination with the campaign leads, across Color of Change's issue areas
• Lead COC's legislative work with policymakers/elected officials, and coalitions and provide subject matter expertise and strategic guidance on the organization's advocacy priorities
• Assist in the development, implementation, and daily management of legislative advocacy campaigns in support of reforms in partnership with campaign leads
• Work collaboratively with campaign staff leads on the implementation of policy advocacy strategies
• Utilize impactful tactics, including polling data, media engagement, and policy-related research to advance prioritiesIndependently develop novel ideas and approaches to solving problems, in addition to sourcing existing policy ideas and approaches to racial justice challenges
• Develop expertise in drafting legislation, providing content expertise
• Prepare, provide guidance on, and/or deliver testimony on pending legislation before key committees or state and local or federal regulatory agencies
• Research and draft legal memoranda on legislation and proposed agency rules and regulations
• Draft and/or edit position papers/briefs, public comments, advocacy letters, fact sheets, talking points, and other documents related to priorities
• Provide in-depth analysis of policy issues and legislation, as needed
• Lobby elected officials, their staff, and other officials Staff Senior Policy Director or Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs in meetings with elected officials, partners, etc. as needed
• Coordinate and conduct in-depth policy briefings for congressional and executive branch staff as pertinent to advancing Color Of Change's priorities
• Organize, lead, and work with outside groups to bolster support for Color Of Change policy goals or to minimize opposition to those goals
• Represent Color Of Change in coalition/partner meetings focused on state and local or federal policy issues concerning the core issues outlined above or on an as-needed basis;
• In collaboration with Color Of Change communications staff, support the development of expert commentary to media, prepare materials for media briefings, and write or contribute to op-eds and other publications, as relevant;
• Assist with the maintenance of relationships with associations (Governors, Mayors Association, prosecutors) and state and local elected officials
• Other duties as assigned by management

Qualifications

• At least 4 - 6 years of policy advocacy or equivalent experience, including a track record of working on campaigns to pass or defeat legislation and to influence agency rules and regulations; professional relationships with state and local or federal policymakers and their staff
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise on economic justice, tech, and/or democracy issues within the criminal legal system, specifically police and prosecutorial accountability, and knowledge and experience advancing racial justice across these policy issues
• Deep knowledge of the legislative process - from bill introduction to passage
• Demonstrated leadership in building and maintaining an innovative and positive working culture
• An innovative thinker with a proven track record in developing strategic programming and campaigns for progressive, civil rights, social justice, or related organization(s)
• Demonstrated experience convening diverse partners and coordinating work to achieve collective goals
• Demonstrated experience or ability to develop and track goals, objectives, and other metrics to achieve desired outcomes
• Experience working with and convening diverse groups of people
• The ability to manage a complex workload and work under tight deadlines
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team and organize time efficiently
• A high level of dependability and commitment.

Key Skills & Knowledge

• Skills in analyzing legislative bills and policies and effective advocacy to influence outcomes
• Excellent writing, research, and public speaking skills
• Experience drafting legislation, writing policy briefs, testimony, letters, etc
• Experience drafting and interpreting policy materials for communications colleagues to support narrative change work (i.e., editing press statements, LTE, Op-Ed’s, preparing polling questions, and analyzing polling data)
• Initiative and ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced work environment
• Strong organizational skills, follow-through, and flexibility around changing priorities and deadlines; ability to work on several campaigns simultaneously
• Capacity to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and conflict-resolution styles
• The ability to manage a complex workload and work under tight deadlines