At Embrace Families we believe all kids deserve to grow up in safe, stable and loving homes. As a national leader in child welfare services, we begin by helping Central Florida families overcome the root causes of abuse and neglect through programs that offer case management and other prevention services that keep families together and build a stronger community. When a child can’t remain safely in their home, we partner with local agencies to support them through foster care, adoption, mentoring and beyond to ensure that children in bad situations move toward brighter futures.

This is a hybrid role - mostly full time remote 

Starting salary: [$52,880 - $60,812] (dependent on experience)

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POSITION OBJECTIVE:

This position provides support for advocacy, political & government relations, and external affairs strategies in coordination with the Director of Public Affairs. 

KEY FUNCTIONS:

Overall Strategy and Management:

• • Participate in the development and implementation of policy, advocacy and related communications strategies for the Embrace Families (EF) family of companies
  • Inform organizational strategic planning, quality improvement processes and operations by providing public affairs context and advocacy analysis
  • Build and maintain relationships with diverse like-minded public and private organizations and individuals to develop networks and increase agency reach and influence
  • Assume leadership of various EF political and advocacy initiatives including political committees (including compliance with state and federal law)
  • Participates in creation and annual reviews of Unit Policy and Procedure Manuals to ensure all policy and procedures reflect current state, federal and system of care requirements.

Advocacy:

• Assist Public Affairs team with developing the political and policy initiatives to advance company objectives.

• Responsible for developing, maintaining and enhancing relationships with local/ regional/ nationally related political committee organizations of similar interest.
• Responsible for assisting in the creation of and selection of members to serve on the Future Effect Board as well as an annual review and/ or revision of Board by-laws with appropriate staff.
• Ensure the accuracy of and compliance with laws and rules regarding filing monthly state and federal reports.
• Responsible for monitoring all Fair Political Practice Act laws as well as state political committee rules and regulations to ensure compliance.
• Oversees the creation of the solicitation and communications programs by designing, implementing and measuring annual membership campaigns and developing materials and brochures for distribution.
• Create, manage and maintain all social media channels to create a digital extension of the political committee’s objectives and agenda.
• Will work to recruit new members by holding presentations, meetings and special events with elected officials.
• Will create, manage and implement a comprehensive bi-annual fundraising plan.
• Responsible for planning and executing fundraising events, selecting appropriate attendees and coordinating community leader attendance to advance the political committee’s business objectives.

Communications and Media:

• • As a part of the Public Affairs team, coordinate with the Director of Public Affairs and relevant partners on media, crisis communication and advocacy message delivery as needed.
  • Partner with appropriate public relations contacts to manage reactive messaging, and act as organizational spokesperson as required.
  • Work with appropriate EF staff to ensure that website and communications material is compelling, accurate, updated, and in line with EF’s Public Affairs strategy.
  • Organize and maintain EF Public Affairs social media efforts.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university and 3 years of experience in issue advocacy, communications, public policy, public affairs, public relations, government relations or similar field.

Preferred:

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university and five years’ experience in issue advocacy, communications, public policy, public affairs, public relations, government relations or similar field.

SKILLS:

REQUIRED:

• Must be proficient in basic Microsoft Office operating platforms with a focus on advanced Excel
• Effective leadership, management and planning and decision-making skills.
• Proven interpersonal, communication, relationship building and negotiation skills
• Ability to interpret and distill policy dealing with system of care.
• Demonstrate cultural and linguistic competence & sensitivity to population served
• Ability to Travel

PREFERRED:

• Proven ability to maintain website and social media sites.
• Experience with Political Committees, advocacy and issue Campaigns and associated resources

SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

• Thorough Background Screening upon hire including FBI, FDLE, Local Law check, Employment Reference check, DMV check, Criminal Records check, Social Security Trace & Drug Screening. FDLE check will be run at least every 5 years
• On-call assignments- YES
• Travel- local: 30% per week, long-distance: 10% per month
• Attend at least 15 hours of in-service training annually

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Embrace Families Values Strong Families and Strong Communities. We believe Every Child deserves a safe, stable, and loving home. We invite you to come on board and help us make that happen.

• We are the lead child welfare agency in Central Florida covering the tri-county area of Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties
• We are Innovative and have piloted programs not seen before in this industry – Ask us about our Keys to Independence Program and our work in Texas
• We raise awareness with fun and inspiring events such as Dance, Dream, & Inspire, the MANicure Movement, and our Golf Tournament
• We partner with organizations throughout the tri-county area to address the specific needs of our children and families at their community level.
• Voted one of the Top Places to Work by Orlando Sentinel
• A high % of Employee Engagement according to our yearly Gallup survey

Embrace Families Values Strong Employees. Our comprehensive pay and benefit package provides a foundation of health, wellness & development supports for you and your family.

• Your benefit eligibility starts on day 1
• 100% Employer paid basic life, AD&D and disability benefits
• 401(k) with Employer match up to 4% of eligible pay
• Paid Time Off accrues starting on day 1 with 27 days (216 hours) per hire year!
• 10 paid holidays each year
• A broad EAP Program with access to thousands of trainings and lifestyle discounts ranging from professional and personal which cover, mental, physical, and financial well-being
• Flexible hybrid work opportunities for most positions
• Opportunities for learning, growth, and development
• A high % of Employee Engagement according to our yearly Gallup survey
• Market based pay scale and an emphasis on recognizing and rewarding staff