POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

POSITION: California State Advocacy Strategist OPEN: August, 2015

LOCATION: Los Angeles or Sacramento, CA CLOSING: Until filled

CONTACT: Darcy Eischens SALARY: Commensuratewith experience

BACKGROUND

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR)—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations (CBOs), NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. To achieve its mission, NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas—assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health. In addition, it provides capacity-building assistance to its Affiliates who work at the state and local level to advance opportunities for individuals and families.

Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, DC, serving all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country. It has state and regional offices in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, and San Antonio.

JOB DESCRIPTION

NCLR is seeking a California State Advocacy Strategist to join its Civic Engagement Project, which works to expand the power and influence of the Latino community to shape public policy debates. This team is housed within NCLR’s Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation (ORAL), one of the most influential and visible national advocacy think tanks championing public policy on behalf of Latinos. The Civic Engagement Project leverages policy and program expertise, communications and polling, and community participation, linking eligible immigrants to citizenship, citizens to registration and voting, and the NCLR Affiliate Network and the Latino community to issue campaigns, to achieve transformational policy change.

The California State Advocacy Strategist will lead and manage efforts to advance NCLR’s public policy agenda in California. S/he will work with NCLR’s Affiliate Network and partner organizations to advance policy solutions by increasing advocacy on various issues including criminal justice, health, education, and immigration, and by working on projects to expand voter engagement. This position will work collaboratively with various NCLR teams and external allies to advance integrated issue and electoral campaigns, maximize outcomes, and strengthen an infrastructure conducive to greater Latino participation. The California State Advocacy Strategist will report to the Associate Director of National Campaigns, set strategies in collaboration with civic engagement and issue teams, and work in partnership with the California regional staff and other NCLR components as appropriate.

This position can be based in Los Angeles or Sacramento, CA.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and implement strategies to advance NCLR’s public policy agenda in California, building the participation of Latino community-based organizations in issue advocacy and electoral campaigns, maximizing alignment between state and federal efforts and serve as NCLR’s state representative in those areas.

Work across teams and regional staff to define strategic priorities and shape highly aligned field campaigns that leverage organizational assets and maximize outcomes.

Sustain and expand partnerships with the NCLR Affiliate Network, state coalitions and allies, and elected officials to advance policy priorities and electoral participation.

Monitor state legislative and agency activity on selected issues, including tracking legislation and hearings, preparing and delivering testimony, and carrying out legislative advocacy.

Collaborate with issue and communications teams to develop issue analyses, position statements, talking points, and public information materials that energize Latino participation, elevate Latino issue priorities, and educate partners and policymakers.

Enhance the advocacy capacity of the NCLR Affiliate Network and allied groups by organizing policy/advocacy activities including roundtables, town halls, and legislative visits, and developing spokespeople by providing them with technical assistance and issue support.

Identify/develop and disseminate updates on legislative and campaign developments and advocacy materials including talking points, bill analyses, target lists, and similar tools.

Link Latino CBOs to broader legislative efforts, key players, and networks in various sectors. Implement effective tracking and reporting mechanisms to measure progress and document

outcomes to be communicated to senior leadership, funders, and other stakeholders. Work with the Civic Engagement team to assist in issue and electoral campaigns in other

states as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Experience developing and executing high-impact issue advocacy and/or electoral campaigns at the state or federal levels, combining field, policy, legislative, and communications elements

Experience working with CBOs and solid understanding of the Latino community, its demographics, and its priority issues

Substantive knowledge of the legislative and policymaking process Excellent writing skills and ability to synthesize information from different sources and

present it in a variety of written formats and styles (e.g., issue one-pagers, fact sheets, blog posts, opinion editorials, talking points)

Excellent verbal communication skills and ability to represent NCLR effectively on selected issues in various settings issues (e.g., trainings, presentations, press conferences, interviews, and legislative testimony)

Ability to engage a wide range of stakeholders (coalition partners, legislative staff, the media, foundations, and academics), work in coalition, and build high-impact partnerships

Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and thrive in a complex environment with multiple priorities, working both independently and as part of a team

Attention to detail and solid organizational, administrative, and computer skills Ability to work extended hours, particularly during peak campaign periods Reliable transportation and ability to travel locally and out of town Bilingual ability (English/Spanish) strongly preferred Bachelor’s or advanced degree preferred

Please note: Only those applicants who submit a cover letter and writing sample along with a résumé will be considered for this opportunity. Please include “Civic Engagement Project, California State Advocacy Strategist” in the subject line of any email submissions.

SEND COVER LETTER, WRITING SAMPLE, AND RÉSUMÉ TO:

National Council of La RazaRaul Yzaguirre Building

Attn: Darcy Eischens1126 16th Street, NW, Suite 600

Washington, DC 20036-4845Fax: (202) 776-1794oral-admin@nclr.org

No phone calls please.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.