Description

Location:  Sacramento, CA 

Reports to: CA Government Affairs Director

Division: Californians for Safety and Justice
Position type: Full time, exempt

Who We Are

Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ) is a multi-state organization that aims to replace ineffective criminal justice system policies with what works to keep people safe. We are organizers, policy advocates and experts, research and communications specialists, and grassroots mobilizers. We represent diverse crime survivors as well as people living with old records as key public safety stakeholders. We organize people most harmed by violence and incarceration, and through nonpartisan coalition building and strategic campaigning, we change laws in the large states to transform the nation. For more information, visit: https://allianceforsafetyandjustice.org.

Who You Are

The Government Affairs Manager is a policy advocacy position whose core responsibility is to advance the organization’s advocacy agenda, a central component of the organization’s mission and strategies. The Government Affairs Manager will be responsible for maintaining relationships with policymakers, staff, and government officials, supporting the Government Affairs team in carrying out the policy work of the organization, supporting our crime survivors’ network, supporting our TimeDone advocacy, and facilitating coalitions with allied organizations, as needed. Reporting to the CA Government Affairs Director, the Government Affairs Manager will work collaboratively across the organization. The position is based in Sacramento with periodic travel, as needed, throughout California.

What You’ll Do

The Government Affairs Manager will play a critical role in the development and execution of the organization’s annual advocacy, legislative and budget priorities and policy agenda, including, but not limited to: research, writing, public speaking, events coordination, relationship building/maintenance and ensuring prompt and thorough completion of all policy-related tasks and coordinated efforts. 

Policy Development and Advocacy (70%)

• Independently represent Californians for Safety and Justice in the state Capitol and influence policymakers and policy advocates across the state of California.
• Shepherd legislation on criminal justice reform, support for crime survivors and smart justice investments through the California legislature. 
• Maintain a deep understanding of the policy landscape in Sacramento and key counties.
• Advance the organization’s Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) and TimeDone policy agenda. Train crime survivors and formerly incarcerated individuals in grassroots policy advocacy. Partner with the CSSJ and TimeDone Statewide Managers to help crime survivors and TimeDone members have a voice in the legislative process. Ensure that CSSJ and TimeDone are visible in the State Capitol and participate in policy makers' understanding of crime survivor and formerly incarcerated individual issues.
• Conduct ongoing research and analysis of criminal justice policies, data, law, and policy reform proposals, including local and state criminal justice data, local and state public safety budgets, local and state legislation, state ballot measures, and budgetary and administrative reforms moving forward at the state and local level.
• Write letters of support and opposition for pending legislation, secure witnesses, and attend and provide expert testimony at legislative committee hearings in the Capitol.

Relationship and Coalition Building and Maintenance (25%)

• Build and maintain effective relationships with the offices of state legislators, local criminal justice and elected leaders in key counties, state corrections agencies, the California Governor, Attorney General and others.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with key criminal justice non-profit and advocacy organizations and other key stakeholders by partnering on policy issues, and attending events and meetings.

Other duties as needed (5%)

Requirements

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. While a law degree, or a Masters in Public Policy or other relevant subjects is preferred, we consider applications that demonstrate equivalent subject matter expertise based on other educational or experiential background or achievement.
• At least 3 years of experience in legislative, legal or policy advocacy, preferably in California.
• Prior professional experience interacting with California’s criminal justice system preferred.
• Experience and/or ability to develop and work in diverse coalitions in which participants may have multiple interests. 
• Exemplary ethical standards. and a deep commitment to social and racial justice.
• Experienced policy writer preferred; knowledgeable of California’s criminal justice reform policies.
• Existing relationships with legislators, legislative staff, analysts, policy experts, and/or grassroots advocates in California is preferred.
• Well-organized, a self-starter, flexible, creative, able to work under pressure, and be able to work quickly and cooperatively on several efforts at one time.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Capacity to work effectively in a rapidly changing environment, with a strong commitment to communication and collaboration with other staff and allied organizations. 

Working Conditions & Physical Demands

• Some travel may be required
• Requires use of a desktop, laptop, or video display terminal
• Ability to communicate, receive and understand information through oral and written communication and proofread and check documents for accuracy
• Requires communicating information with co-workers, stakeholders and/or the public; reading correspondence, instructions and/or technical documents; writing correspondence and/or reports and filling in forms

Compensation and Benefits

We care deeply about our staff wellness. ASJ offers a competitive benefits package including health, vision, and dental insurance, flexible spending accounts, a robust 403(b) retirement match, generous paid time off, a professional development allowance, and more. The salary range for this role is $100,000-$110,000, and will be offered commensurate with experience. 

To Apply 

Applications should be submitted via the posting link on ASJ’s jobs page. Please submit a cover letter indicating your interest in ASJ, the role, and your related experience, your resume, and 3-4 professional references.

The Alliance for Safety and Justice is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from people who are systems impacted, women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.