Policy Advocate

A Few Reasons Why You May Love This Job

• You get to contribute to a larger movement of individuals, communities, and organizations seeking to disrupt poverty and extend equitable opportunity to all.
• You get to make sustainable change —our policy victories make a lasting impact on the lives of fellow Californians.
• You get to grow your skills and develop deep expertise that will help you advance within our organization or join our impressive alumni working in high-level government and nonprofit positions across the country.
• You will be supported but not micromanaged.

The Position

Work with a team of problem solvers and change makers to advocate smart, evidence-based solutions aimed at dismantling the systemic injustices that perpetuate hunger and food insecurity. You will engage in legislative advocacy, through which we seek to shape and advance legislation before it becomes law, and administrative advocacy, through which we seek to influence how existing laws are interpreted and implemented. You will help Nourish California broaden our reach, deepen our stakeholder engagement, and magnify our impact.

The Location

California. Like many organizations, we are rethinking the rules and norms of work life. We are reassessing expectations for in-person engagement. We will continue to be an organization led by a Board and staff who live and work in the Golden State. Travel requirements are included in the job description.

What You'll Be Doing

• Developing and implementing strategies that compel individuals, organizations, and decision makers to take action in support of fair access to nutritious, affordable food.
• Listening to and amplifying the voices of Californians who have lived experience with poverty and food insecurity.
• Fostering inclusive policy advocacy campaigns and facilitating storytelling that supports individuals in harnessing and applying their power.
• Coordinating local and statewide educational and advocacy events, including webinars, virtual meetings, convenings, forums, and legislative visits.
• Analyzing data,  conducting research, and synthesizing the evidence base necessary to inform proposed and existing policies.
• Crafting and delivering persuasive arguments, verbally, visually, and in writing.
• Other activities as contained in the job description.

We're Looking for Individuals Who Are

• Compassionate, collaborative, open-minded, and empathetic
• Resilient and persistent
• Committed and action-oriented
• Critical thinkers 
• Ethical and autonomous

And have the skills we need.

Our Values

• People. Our work puts people at the center. While many of our day-to-day activities happen behind the scenes, our work is grounded in the experiences and insights of Californians directly affected by poverty and food insecurity.
• Equity. Fair access to food is about fair access to health, opportunity, and power. Our work aims to dismantle racism, economic inequity, and other social injustices that perpetuate food insecurity and undermine health and happiness.
• Collaboration. Our work is part of something bigger. We depend on—and contribute to—a dynamic community of changemakers who know that California should be a place of wellbeing and opportunity for all.
• Urgency. We envision a time when every person in our state has a fair shot at health and happiness—and for us, this vision can’t be delayed. Our sense of urgency is rooted in reality: across California, at least 4.7 million adults and 2 million children live in households affected by food insecurity. We work with dogged determination to bring about systemic change today.

The Process

• All applicants must complete an online application. This form will provide applicants an opportunity to answer brief questions about communication and analytical skills, upload a resume and cover letter, and provide optional statements on lived experience related to our mission and/or perspectives on justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

• All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be reviewed by staff. Select applicants will be screened in a 30-minute phone interview. Advancing candidates will participate in an in-person or virtual phone interview and complete a short writing exercise.  Additional activities may be required.
• All applicants will receive notification on the disposition of their application by the close of the position on July 30, 2021.

No phone calls, please. Questions that can’t be answered on the website can be directed to jobs@nourishca.org.

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