Summary:

The Southern Poverty Law Center's policy department seeks a Policy Associate for our Florida office.

About the Southern Poverty Law Center:

The SPLC is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people. Our lawsuits have destroyed some of the nation's most violent white supremacist groups. and our litigation and legislative advocacy has advanced the civil rights of children, women, people with disabilities, immigrants and migrant workers, LGBTQ people, people who are incarcerated, and many others who face discrimination, abuse, or exploitation.

Position Summary:

The Policy Associate is an outgoing, results-driven, and experienced advocate, who is passionate about advancing civil rights for society's most vulnerable members and communities. The Policy Associate works under the supervision of the Florida Policy Director and across teams and departments to advance SPLC's state and local policy objectives via multi-strategy campaigns. The Policy Associate interfaces directly with elected and appointed officials, agencies, judges, coalition partners, and directly impacted individuals and communities.

Primary Job Functions:

• Conduct policy research and analysis on specific legislation and/or SPLC's policy priorities;
• Assist State Director in designing, planning, and implementing policy campaigns, including but not limited to: identifying opposition and stakeholders; event planning and meeting with policymakers and/or stakeholders; attending legislative committee meetings; tracking legislation impacting policy goals; working with consultants, lobbyists, and/or allies to ensure policy goals are moving forward; and memorializing information for future campaigns;
• Assist State Director in reviewing proposed legislation, communicating with SPLC's programmatic and legal practice groups, and maintaining the legislative tracking system;
• Work collaboratively with the Policy Department, SPLC's programmatic, and communications, digital, and design staff to develop fact sheets, talking points, op-eds and letters to the editor, reports, social media and traditional media resources, and other documents that will educate legislators, agency officials, stakeholders, and the general public to advance SPLC's policy objectives;
• Coordinate meetings with SPLC's partners and supporters; assist with in-district meetings; coalition building and listserv management; and regular communication with advocacy partners and supporters on the status of issues of interest to SPLC and relevant action items;
• Represent SPLC at coalition meetings and identify opportunities to expand and strengthen collaborative partnerships; attend and present at relevant conferences, as appropriate;
• Meet regularly with SPLC's programmatic and legal practice groups; attend policy planning and debrief meetings; maintain a presence on national, regional, and state listservs to track issues of interest; and
• Other duties assigned.

Qualifications –

Education and Related Work Experience:

• At least five years of experience in policy campaigns or similar relevant experience;
• Familiarity with the legislative process, tracking legislation, developing campaign messaging, and implementing strategic policy campaigns; and
• High school diploma or GED.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to work from Tallahassee for approximately 6 weeks a year when the legislative session is in;
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing racial justice and continuous learning;
• Ability to review and analyze proposed legislation and articulate persuasive advocacy positions to a variety of audiences;
• Familiarity with an expansive and creative toolbox of strategies to move decision-makers;
• Self-motivated individual who takes initiative and works collaboratively and effectively in a fast-paced environment;
• Strong organizational skills, follow-through, and flexibility around changing priorities and deadlines;
• Ability to work on several campaigns at once and meaningfully contribute towards the development and implementation of policy campaigns;
• Diplomatic and effective public advocate; strong communication, organizational, and writing skills;
• Ability to develop thoughtful, multi-faceted action plans to approach difficult and complicated policy questions, research, and other strategies to develop a thorough understanding of the issues and build realistic solutions;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with impact communities and partner advocacy organizations and with diverse staff and policymakers;
• Commitment to ideals of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion;
• Commitment to fostering an anti-racist work culture and to anti-racist principles and learning.

Work Designation:

This role has the following work designation options:

• Local Remote: Will work remotely but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.
• Telework: Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location.

Compensation:

This is an exempt role, and the minimum starting salary is $80,031.00.00 annually. Salary is based on years of experience.

Other Special Considerations:

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

Ability to work from Tallahassee for approximately 6 weeks a year when the legislative session is in.

This position is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, national origin, or prior record of arrest or conviction.