SUMMARY

The Policy Associate reports to the Manager of Policy & Training Innovations and serves as an integral member of the policy and communications team, the Policy Associate assists both the Local and Statewide Policy Initatives Organizers to work towards our goal of being a catalyst for social and structural change for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) people by utilizing a transformative policy platform. The Policy Associate is responsible for advocating and implementing TLC’s legislative and public policy strategies at the state, city, and county levels related to specific priority issues. The Policy Associate will research, analyze, and track TGI-specific policy, primarily at the state and local levels; help to implement TransLatin@ Coalition’s most updated #TransPolicyAgenda; present at hearings, workshops, and conferences; and engage staff, community members, and partner organizations in our advocacy work.

The ideal candidate will be an outstanding advocate who can effectively convey the mission, policies, and advocacy efforts of The TransLatin@ Coalition to a variety of constituencies, ranging from policymakers to local community members. The work will center on California but will play a role in re-shaping the national discourse around ‘trans’ politics focusing on proactive, innovative, and strategic policies to proactively address issues including but not limited to immigration detention and deportation, employment, HIV and AIDS, healthcare access, violence prevention, sex work, criminalization and incarceration, housing, and poverty.  This position will have a six-month performance probationary period upon hiring.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Attendance and punctuality.

• Be available to work at least forty hours per week.

• Work with the policy and community engagement team in their daily work activities and tasks, such as legislative research, note-taking, and participating in coalition calls, calls with partner organizations, and local and statewide government meetings and convenings.

• Assisting in the coordination of California TGI Helath Alliance (CTHA) working toward policy change and participating regularly, lending expertise around strategy and implementation of legislation.

• Monitoring and implementing the organization’s #TransPolicyAgenda, regularly seeking opportunities for local and statewide policy change, and strategizing with organizational partners to coordinate legislative campaigns.

• Planning and implementing legislative strategies, analyzing, and drafting legislation, working with state and local policymakers, preparing, and presenting testimony and supporting advocacy through public education and public policy campaigns, as well as engaging TransLatin@ Coalition members, community stakeholders, and leaders to advance TransLatin@’s strategic priorities.

• Leading public education and community engagement efforts to increase the participation of transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) community members within the public policy process.

• Working to increase the visibility of TLC’s local and statewide policy work in local, state, and national media outlets to increase public support of specific policy issues.

• Participating in local and state government meetings and convenings, uplifting specific community issues and organizational policy priorities.

• Exceptional initiative, vision, and ability to develop and implement short and long-term integrated legislative and advocacy strategies.

• Exceptional strategic planning, analytical, research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.

• Ability to synthesize complex issues and communicate them effectively to diverse audiences, including elected officials’ attorneys, advocates, impacted communities, and in particular
  TransLatin@ and other immigrant groups, other supporters, and the public.

• Able to communicate with elected officials and set up appointments to address issues related to Trans, gender-expansive, and intersex people throughout the state of California.

• Other duties as assigned by President & CEO and Policy team.

• Must have legitimate transportation and current insurance to be able to run occasional errands, appointments and out of office site visits as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

• Bachelor’s Degree in public policy, Social Work, Psychology, or Public Health-related fields or a minimum of at least 3 years of working with people of trans and gender-expansive experience and understanding policy needs of trans and gender-expansive people.  

• Proof of employment eligibility, valid California Driver’s License and/or California Identification, and yearly automobile insurance.

• Updated tuberculosis test (annual requirement) – read, reviewed, and dated by a clinician 6 months before employment.

• Ability to coordinate multiple projects & tasks simultaneously in a high-pressure environment.

• Ability to master a wide range of information, take initiative and adapt to a team environment.

• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing both in English & Spanish preferred but not required.

• Ability to work with diverse communities (e.g., multi-gender, ethnic, generation, monolingual Spanish speakers, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, substance, homeless, etc.).

• Experience and knowledge of PC hardware and software (Windows, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel a must).

• Ability to competently conduct training, presentations, and workshops and coordinate policy-related activities.

• Knowledgeable about Trans and gender-expansive culture.

• Strong communication skills: oral, written, and strong interpersonal communication skills to work effectively with high-level donors and stakeholders.

• Work weekends or evenings and special events as needed.

NON-ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Relevant community policy-related training.

• Experience and knowledge of MS Access and Outlook Software.

• Bilingual in Spanish and English is preferred.

• Knowledge of specific policy needs and issues of Trans and gender-expansive people.

• Knowledge of how policy works & be able to articulate and draft written language for policy change

• Excellent writing and reading skills.

• Four (4) year college degree with an emphasis on Public Health, Public Policy, and/or related courses or a minimum of 5 years working with trans communities.

• Excellent writing and reading skills.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• While performing this job, the candidate typically spends time sitting, standing, walking, frequently driving, carrying (max. 20 lbs), lifting (max. 20 lbs), listening, and speaking.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• Ergonomically safe office environment with desktop computer, desk, chair, and natural light from windows.

• As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and productive work environment, candidates for this position may be required to undergo random drug tests. The drug test may be conducted at any stage of the hiring process and will be in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

• Occasional attendance to community events, conferences, and other meeting venues. Must be comfortable with environmental conditions at the event locations, such as noise level, aggressive patrons, and substance use and abuse.

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• The candidate in this position must accommodate any/all the following: constant distractions, interruptions, uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules, availability for on-call/duty after regular working hours, and exposure to inappropriate behavior and language of others.

BENEFITS

The following benefits are offered for full-time employees:

• Employee Paid Medical – after a 60-day probationary period.

• Employee Paid Dental – after a 60-day probationary period.

• Employee Paid Vision – after a 60-day probationary period.

• 403 (b) 100% with a match by the organization – after 90 days.

• Personal Time – after 90 days.

• Vacation Time – after 90 days.

• Sabbatical Time – eligible after six consecutive years of employment.