Policy Associate Jobs

Are you dedicated to empowering and supporting youth, regardless of their background? We're searching for passionate individuals to make a positive impact on the lives of foster youth. Become an integral part of their transformative journey and join the First Place for Youth team.
About First Place for Youth: We’re a leading non-profit organization dedicated to supporting foster youth in their transition to adulthood, with a focus on education, employment, and housing. We believe that all young people deserve the opportunity to thrive and lead successful, independent lives. Our comprehensive programs empower foster youth to overcome the unique challenges they face and build the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed. Why First Place for Youth? MAKE AN IMPACT Be a part of our diverse, mission-driven team striving across the country to ensure foster youth lead opportunity-rich and choice-filled lives.
BUILDING A JUST WORLD First Place is dedicated to removing barriers and creating a more equitable future for foster youth. Our team believes in the limitless potential of every individual.
CHANGING THE ODDS Since 1998, First Place has pioneered California's extended foster care programs, providing housing and comprehensive services to transition-age foster youth. Our 25-year track record speaks for itself.
CREATING EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS Since our inception, we have been providing results-driven service to young people, building evidence, and changing public policies to improve the lives of as many transition-age foster youth as possible.
JOIN US Become part of a transformative organization that drives lasting change and ensures a brighter future for all transition-age foster youth
POSITION SUMMARY: This role will coordinate closely with our Director of Public Policy to design the California Youth Voice program—a representative cohort of young people with current or prior experience in foster care—which will kickstart the intentional, targeted incorporation of youth voice into First Place for Youth’s policy work and systems change efforts. The Youth Policy Associate will have lived experience in California’s foster care system and/or First Place for Youth programs, a passion for working with peers on a common agenda, and a strong desire to create change on behalf of all young people transitioning out of foster care. Ideally, this candidate will have some experience with or education in public policy, and a keen interest in pursuing a career in legislative advocacy, policy, and/or social justice work.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.Youth Voice Program

• With support from the Director of Public Policy, develop and lead educational trainings and webinars for Youth Voice members (and other First Place participants) to inform them of policy and legislative issues and help grow their advocacy, organizing, and leadership skills.
• Develop a statewide cohort of young people with current or prior experience with foster care, who will contribute to the development of First Place for Youth’s short- and long-term policy agendas and priorities as well as attend local or state policy meetings.
• Plan, coordinate, and facilitate regular meetings with youth, including opportunities to bring together members from First Place’s NorCal and SoCal regions.
• Assist the Director of Public Policy in establishing state and federal policy priorities with the youth voices driving the recommendations.
• Build relationships with other youth coalitions/organizations across the state to increase support for policy priorities.
• Prepare organizing materials, such as flyers and letters, designed to ensure youth receive current information regarding meetings and advocacy activities.
• Conduct organizing efforts to identify/recruit, and develop an initial cohort of diverse youth and young adults for the Youth Voice program, with representation from each of the six counties where First Place serves.
• Manage and maintain a timely and comprehensive database of current and potential youth who can be called on for advocacy.

Support to the First Place Policy Department

• Support development of external communications relating to policy activities, including creating and managing a policy listserv.
• Assist in drafting policy briefs, position letters, legislative testimony, and talking points.
• Plan, coordinate, and/or provide assistance for policy activities and events, including the planning and execution of First Place for Youth’s annual Advocacy Day.
• Assist in conducting research and public policy analysis on issues impacting transition age youth.

Qualification and Requirements:Positional Competencies – required for our Youth Policy Associate

• POLICY SKILLS - Familiarity with State legislative and budget process and/or a strong interest in developing experience in public policy
• COMMUNICATION AND PLANNING - Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Detail oriented with excellent organization and planning skills and ability to multi-task
• CULTURAL COMPETENCIES - Commitment to cultural competency and diversity – Deep commitment to social justice and systems change that addresses barriers based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
• COALITION BUILDING AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZING – Strong relational skills. Experience developing coalitions, doing community organizing, coordinating peer groups, or other related experience
• AVAILABILITY – Available for some travel as needed, including trips to Sacramento for policy advocacy, and to each of California’s six counties (Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Santa Clara, Solano).
• EXPERIENCE - Minimum of 2 years of experience working with young adults, providing peer-to-peer advocacy, or on issues impacting foster youth. Must have lived experience in California’s foster care system; experience as a First Place for Youth program participant preferred
• EDUCATION - High School diploma required. Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree preferred
• COMPUTER SKILLS – Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook.
• ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS: Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision and collaborate effectively across an organization. Aptitude to learn and grow within the team. Interest in pursuing a career in public policy.

BENEFITS

• Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO Up to 90% of premium covered by First Place
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• 14 paid holidays
• VSP Vision
• Full-time position
• 2 flexible holidays
• 12 days of sick time
• 15 days of vacation time in year one
• 401k Retirement Savings with Match
• Paid sabbatical
• Delta Dental Premium PPO

If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of transition age foster youth and want to join a dynamic and impactful organization, we invite you to apply. Together, let's empower transition age foster youth to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future. To learn more about First Place For Youth and view our current job openings, please visit our website at www.firstplaceforyouth.org/careers.
We are unable to sponsor work visas now or in the future.
First Place will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and applicable law. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting the California Civil Rights Department Fair Chance Act webpage or reviewing this guidance provide by the City of San Francisco. For additional information regarding your rights, please also review the Summary of Your Rights Under the FCRA.

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