Policy and Advocacy Associate

Salary: $31.87-$35.71/hr. 35-hour work week

Position Summary: Children’s Aid is seeking a resourceful, creative, and committed individual to join the Office of Public Policy. The Office of Public Policy manages and implements an advocacy-driven strategy focused on issues that affect children and families living in New York City’s most under-resourced neighborhoods. The Policy and Advocacy Associate reports to the Assistant Director of Public Policy and will be responsible for supporting Children’s Aid’s policy agenda, managing operational functions, and working on select projects as they arise.

Essential Duties

Policy Analysis

• Monitor, analyze, and synthesize relevant city, state, and federal budget, legislative, and regulatory developments.
• Track and report on key hearings, policy trends, and advocacy opportunities that impact Children’s Aid programs and the communities we serve.
• Develop subject matter expertise in assigned issue areas to inform internal and external strategy.
• Lead select coalition activities (i.e. letter writing, email campaigns, social media campaigns etc.) and manage the communications to turn out staff, parents, and youth to participate.
  
  

Advocacy Engagement

• Promote cohesion on advocacy workflows and ensure coordination of CA youth, families, and staff at advocacy events including recruiting participants for lobby days, etc.
• Coordinate logistics and staff participation for legislative and community events including tabling and coordinating CA staff participation at selected events.
• Develop materials that will aid in educating and mobilizing staff, parents, and youth on key policy and budget issues.
• Co-develop and co-deliver legislative, advocacy, and social media trainings for youth, families, and staff.
• Support government relations operations by maintaining database of contacts, and monitoring pertinent committee hearings at the city, state and federal levels.
  
  

Project & Operational Coordination

• Provide administrative, technical, and clerical support to the Office of Public Policy team including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and facilitating internal meetings.
• Co-lead the Community Building Summer Internship Program, which provides youth ages 16-24 years old with an opportunity to gain internship experience with various elected officials’ offices across NYC.
• Assist with Civic Engagement efforts across the organization including voter registration efforts, preparing informational sessions, and sharing timely civic engagement opportunities.
• Assist with lobbying tracking and reporting at the City and State levels and coordinate lobbying trainings on a quarterly basis.
• Perform other duties as assigned
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Must possess High-School Diploma and 4 years of relevant experience in policy and advocacy role(s) required OR Bachelor’s degree and one year of relevant experience preferred
• Strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, creative and the initiative to solve or anticipate problems.
• Experience working with youth and families on advocacy-related issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to travel occasionally to Washington DC and Albany is required.
• A passion for and commitment to mission-based work and social change, especially in the area of children, youth, and families.
  
  

It is the policy of Children's Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children's Aid will not to tolerate discrimination, harassment or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Children’s Aid will conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of all allegations of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, or any violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy in a confidential manner and will take appropriate corrective action, if and

where warranted. Children’s Aid prohibits retaliation against employees who provide information about, complain about, or assist in the investigation of any complaint of discrimination or violation of the Equal Employment Opportunity Policy.

The incumbent is expected to work a schedule, whether in-person or hybrid, as determined by the department's needs to facilitate effective collaboration with the team. This flexibility is essential for maintaining seamless communication, fostering teamwork, and ensuring the smooth operation of the department's processes. The position's requirements are subject to periodic review and adjustment based on organizational needs and changes in work dynamics.