SENIOR ASSOCIATE POSITION

SENIOR ASSOCIATE - FEDERAL POLICY (position located in Washington, D.C.)


100% FTE
Salary commensurate with experience


This professional level position—available immediately—is an exciting opportunity to join the staff at PolicyLink. PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works.

Please visit our website at: http://www.policylink.org/.

Program Description:

Over the past 10 years, PolicyLink has worked to support local and state leaders in the creation of sustainable communities of opportunity that allow everyone to participate and prosper. Such communities offer access to quality jobs, good schools, viable transportation options, affordable housing, and the benefits of healthy food and physical activity.

Through our federal policy work, PolicyLink aims to bring to national scale the programs and policies that are succeeding at the community level. By bringing the voices and concerns of local communities to policy debates inside the Beltway, we work with our partners to create smarter, more just, more equitable federal policy.

A major component of our federal policy agenda is to advance transportation policies that promote access, mobility, and opportunity for lower-income people and communities of color. In 2009 we are focused on shaping the upcoming six-year federal transportation authorization bill, as well as advancing the goal of transportation equity through other legislation and through administrative policies and practices.

Position Responsibilities:

The Senior Associate for Federal Policy will serve as the DC-based staff person advancing PolicyLink priorities focused on promoting equitable and fair infrastructure investments. The Senior Associate is responsible for implementing the organization’s political and legislative strategy on the upcoming surface transportation authorization and related legislative issues; staffing key coalition efforts that we are engaged in; building new partnerships and political relationships, and cultivating champions for equity-based infrastructure policy in Congress and with federal agencies.

Successful candidates will be values driven, self-motivated, detail oriented, resourceful, and have experience in politics, advocacy, and legislative analysis. They will be able to work efficiently in a fast-paced environment that requires adaptability to shifting priorities, a keen sense of urgency, and a commitment to excellence.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

- Growing and leveraging political relationships to advance PolicyLink transportation and infrastructure legislative priorities.

- Initiating and maintaining alliances, partnerships, and other organizational relationships that builds PolicyLink political power in DC.

- Developing legislative analyses and alerts, policy briefs, and other written documents.

- Work to identify and establish linkages between PolicyLink local and state work and the advancement of our federal agenda.

- Travel approximately once or twice a month to PolicyLink headquarters in Oakland, CA and/or to work with local and state partners in other parts of the country.

- Other duties as needed and assigned.


Experience & Qualifications:

- 5-7 years of professional experience in politics/advocacy. Preferable in one of the following areas (though not required)—transportation, infrastructure, economic development, workforce development, labor, anti-poverty.

- A history of developing and implementing successful policy and advocacy campaigns.

- In-depth knowledge of the federal policy process and advocacy tactics.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills and analytical skills.

- Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work as a self-starting member of a team.

- Success in working with different constituencies.

- Organized and flexible.

- Proven capacity to work independently and also to build consensus and work effectively within a cross-departmental team.

- Commitment to the goal of advancing equity and inclusion in America.

- Graduate degree strongly preferred.

To Apply:

Send cover letter and resume to:


PolicyLink
Senior Associate—Federal Policy
1438 Webster Street, Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94612
Fax (510) 587-1113 
Email to jobs@policylink.org

(include subject line: “[Your name] (Senior Associate-Federal Policy).” Position open until filled. Position open until filled.

** Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.

** Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.