MANAGER EQUITY IN COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS

Non-exempt, Full-Time, Regular Position *(This is a remote position work-from-home until further notice, at which point the employee will report to work in the office.)

Position Summary:

The primary goal of the Equity in Community Investments (ECI) program is to support campaigns led by community-based organizations for more equitable policies and investments in high-need communities of color. We accomplish this through policy and budget analysis, advocacy, narrative development, and capacity-building efforts for our partners.

Examples of our budget and policy work include:

• A COVID-19 Budget Playbook for Advocates and Policymakers
• The Case for Justice Reinvestment in Los Angeles County
• Reshaping Justice Through Equitable Services and Community Power in Los Angeles County
• The Justice Equity Services Index (JESI)

The Manager will report to the Director of Equity in Community Investments and lead partnership efforts with community-based organizations to support local advocacy campaigns that aim to provide equitable policies and investments of public resources to support community priorities. Specifically, the Manager will staff and manage the program’s criminal justice reinvestment efforts by 1) managing our ongoing research and policy development agenda and 2) support various partners’ policy and systems change campaigns.

This work will primarily focus on:

• A strong focus on criminal justice reinvestment efforts and their connections to community health;
• Analyzing policies and budget proposals through a racial equity lens;
• Developing campaign strategies and recognizing political opportunities;
• Making a case for change by identifying persuasive facts and crafting compelling messages; and
• Developing the capacity of partners by preparing and conducting budget advocacy trainings.

The successful applicant must have a strong, demonstrated commitment to social and racial justice, documented project management skills and experience overseeing multiple streams of work at the same time, a record of involvement in racial justice/systems change campaigns, ability to engage with local government decision-making processes, and be self-motivated, flexible, and skilled at fostering creative and collaborative spaces.

Specific Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing strong project management and coordination of our research, communications, and partner engagement efforts for our criminal justice reinvestment campaigns.
• Support strategic development of criminal justice reinvestment policy agenda in consultation with Advancement Project California’s leadership.
• Serve as primary liaison between Advancement Project California and community-based organizations and coalition partners within the criminal justice reinvestment movement spaces.
• Perform analysis of government reports and budgets and stay apprised of local government activities and developments.
• In collaboration with partner organizations, analyze political opportunities and develop successful campaign plans and strategies.
• Develop and conduct rigorous and accessible training curricula for a wide range of stakeholders (including staff of community-based organizations, community members, funders, and media) to understand the policy development to the implementation process and engage in effective advocacy campaigns.
• Prepare policy briefs, memos, and other materials as needed for advocacy campaigns.
• Identify, initiate, and deepen relationships with community stakeholders, relevant government staff, and political leadership.

• Post-COVID 19, travel at least twice a month to meetings in the Central Valley, Inland Empire, and or Orange County.

• Participate in organization-wide planning, development, and communication activities, as needed, and ensure adherence to Advancement Project California goals and policies within the project area.
• Comfortable working with advocates, litigators, and people who are directly impacted by the criminal justice system as you do with government officials, criminal justice system personnel, practitioners, and policymakers.
• Other duties as assigned, dependent on organizational needs and employee skills.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual performs each essential job function assigned satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Sincere and demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity and economic justice issues for the highest-need communities.
• 5+ years of experience in racial justice, public policy, community-based policy advocacy and or organizing (beyond summer or short-term internships).
• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in public policy, law, or the social sciences preferred.  An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential job duties will be considered.

• 3+ years of prior experience with project management.

• Experience supervising and supporting the growth of team members.
• Firsthand and extensive experience with the criminal justice system as an advocate, practitioner, policymaker, lawyer, researcher, or someone who has been directly impacted.
• Must be familiar with services and programs for persons impacted by the criminal justice system and their families or significant others.
• Experience managing coalitions and campaigns, including partnerships with residents, community organizations and engaging with senior government leaders.
• Robust interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills – experience translating technical analyses into accessible advocacy messages is especially preferred.
• Ability to conduct policy analysis, research (qualitative/quantitative), and synthesize complex information/data for policy, planning, and communication.  Experience with criminal justice and public budgeting issues is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in delivering high-quality work products on a consistent, reliable basis in a fast-paced work environment with ambitious goals.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships and partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work with diverse communities, leaders, and staff.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision and demonstrated ability to work in small team settings.
• Flexibility to adjust and contribute to continually evolving work situations and changing priorities.
• Good computer skills, proficient with MS Office applications including Excel.
• Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to execute projects on time and on budget.
• Bilingual English-Spanish a plus: the ability to speak, read, and write Spanish.

Physical Demands:

Occasionally must be able to move office supplies and equipment weighing up to 10 pounds across the office or during events.

A Competitive compensation depending on experience. Includes full health, dental and retirement benefits.

To Apply:

Please send an email with the subject "ECI Application" and a cover letter, resume, and work sample in one PDF attachment titled last_name_first_name_eci.pdf (e.g., Jimenez_Jorge_eci.pdf) to:

Jorge Jimenez

Director of Human Resources, Finance and Administration