Sr. Policy Associate

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND: 

Central California Asthma Collaborative (CCAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing health equity and environmental justice by empowering Central California communities through services, research, advocacy, and data-driven solutions to reduce the burden of asthma.  CCAC
includes three programmatic divisions: Community Health Services, Environmental Health Research and Climate Equity and Environmental Justice.
CCAC’s Comprehensive Asthma Remediation and Education Services (CARES) program provides education and resources to Medi-Cal patients to reduce the burden of asthma in disadvantaged communities (DACs).
CCAC’s Environmental Health Research division collaborates closely with academic partners to collect data and engage residents in research projects that inform health and environmental policies.
CCAC’s Climate Equity and Environmental Justice (CEEJ) division engages communities in policy advocacy, provides information (real-time air pollution monitoring network SJVair.com) and access to climate equity (transportation, energy, air) incentives and resources available to lower-income families across Central California.   

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Senior Policy Associate - State position is an exempt, professional position that requires the person holding the position to have specialized knowledge and expertise in at least two areas of environmental and/or public health law and policy work, in furtherance of the organization’s mission and goals. This position regularly requires the use of professional, independent judgment to exercise discretion in matters related to the duties set forth below, including the strategic development of the organization’s policy campaigns in California on a state-wide level. It is also predominantly and highly intellectual, varied in character, including, but not necessarily limited to, the strategic development of policy initiatives, setting of policy management goals, and strategy implementation to achieve the environmental and/or social justice outcomes desired to improve conditions in Central California.   

The Senior Policy Associate - State will be primarily responsible for developing and leading state-wide policy advocacy campaigns in California, primarily focused on energy and air pollution issues (decarbonization for low income households in their homes and transportation as well as utility bill affordability), and public health service provisions through Medi-Cal such as the CalAIM Asthma Remediation benefit. This position is also responsible for informing regional and local advocacy efforts, and coordinating state-wide efforts with regional and local campaigns, as necessary.  

The Senior Policy Associate - State position may supervise interns. The Senior Policy Advocate is responsible for following human resources best practices and other policies and procedures for management and accountability of staff they supervise. CCAC partners with many grassroots community-based organizations and statewide coalitions to accomplish our work.  The Senior Policy Associate
will support CCAC’s regional and statewide
policy
efforts related to climate, air quality, environmental justice and health equity. 

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• In coordination with CCAC’s Deputy Executive Director,
  the CEEJ Director
  and Associate Director of Outreach and Policy, develop and implement
  policy and advocacy
  agendas associated with CCAC’s CEEJ programs.  

• Identify
  policy
  and
  program
  priorities
  in
  partnership
  with
  community
  leaders
  and organizations that align with CCAC’s mission and goals. 

• Develop
  content
  expertise
  on topics relevant to CCAC’s regional and statewide policy advocacy. 

• Conduct
  policy
  analyses
  and
  draft
  written
  materials,
  including
  correspondence and briefings,
  to
  further advocacy
  goals. 

• Work with lead staff of CCAC’s clean transportation and energy projects to develop policy positions and file comments or organizational sign-ons to coalition letters when appropriate.   

• Develop and present oral and written testimony at workshops, hearings, and meetings as needed- most commonly with California Air Resources Board, California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission and California Department of Health
  Care Services. 

• Analyze
  and
  respond
  to relevant
  agenda
  items
  and
  meeting
  notices
  pursuant
  to
  regional, state, federal agency, and other relevant bodies
  activities. 

• Represent CCAC and our policy positions
  at various community events, statewide conferences, agency meetings, etc. 

• Work closely with CCAC Marketing and Communications Manager to develop fact sheets, social media content, etc. to engage communities in policy campaigns and issues. 

• Engage in other related CCAC duties as assigned.  

CORE COMPETENCIES 

• Oral Communication: Speaks clearly; listens and requests clarification as needed; responds well to questions. 

• Written Communication:
  Writes clearly; varies writing style to meet needs; presents data effectively; able to read and interpret written information.  Experience with drafting legal or formal government procedural documents and policy comments. 

• Leadership: Able to lead coordination with program staff to establish
  effective processes for engaging in policy advocacy.
  Comprehends the organization’s mission and makes decisions that balance the organization’s
  strategic and financial goals. 

• Teamwork: Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits objectivity and openness to other’s views; gives and welcomes feedback, contributes to building a positive team spirit. 

• Innovation:
  Displays original thinking and creativity. Meets challenges with resourcefulness. Generates suggestions for improving work. Develops innovative approaches and ideas.  

• Reliability:
  Ability to work independently, self-motivated, dependable, and professional, with a strong work ethic. 

• Flexibility:  Willingness and ability to shift priorities and direction, pivot to respond to dynamic policy landscapes and demonstrated
  agility in professional capacities.   

• Organizational Skills:
  Demonstrated attention to detail; ability to manage time effectively in order to complete tasks competently and on time; maintain highly organized workspace and schedule. 

• Technical Skills: Capable of learning new issue areas and policy
  frameworks
  and applying learnings from
  community residents and program staff with appropriate level of detail.   

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Health, Political Science, Environmental Law, Public Health Administration
  or related field (Master’s, JD or
  PhD preferred) 

• Minimum three
  years’ experience leading policy advocacy campaigns or focused policy analysis in applicable policy area. 

• Experience using a variety of software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams), Adobe and
  project management tools such as Monday, required. 

• Experience working with a diverse population; must demonstrate the ability to be culturally competent in all respects, . 

• English and Spanish fluency,
  preferred. 

• Experience working directly with government and industry stakeholders, preferred. 

• Experience working directly with community members and community-based organizations, preferred. 

• Experience working with and on behalf of low-income populations, preferred. 

TRAVEL: Travel to
main office in Fresno (if not based there) at least monthly, as well as travel to various meetings as needed.
Travel will be predominantly within California but must be able to travel nationally for conferences. 

DRIVING AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS: Must possess a valid CADL and applicable CA mandated auto insurance. 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: May be to obtain COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations.
Lift up to 20 pounds.  

AUTHORITY AND SUPERVISORY CAPACITY:
May supervise staff and interns as assigned, but currently none are assigned.   

ACCESS TO SENSITIVE INFORMATION: Must maintain confidentiality of personal client and staff information exposed to when working in files and preparing reports.