Policy Manager

Classification	Full-Time, Exempt
Salary	$70,000 - $75,000
Start Date	Immediate
Reports to	Executive Director
Location	Washington, DC (remote & in-person)
Schedule	40 hours per week, Monday - Friday (some evenings & weekends)

Join one of DC’s most fierce and effective community organizing groups! Empower DC is a citywide, grassroots organization that builds the political power of low/moderate-income, Black and brown DC residents to advance systemic change and social justice. Founded in 2003, Empower DC is known for taking on tough issues and engaging in long-term battles in support of some of the lowest income communities in DC. Our multi-generational and multi-ethnic base has secured wins in neighborhood-specific and citywide campaigns addressing a range of important issues. Our work currently centers on advancing equitable development, environmental justice and racial equity through efforts that center directly impacted grassroots leaders who inform the goals and strategies we employ in our efforts.

Function:

The Policy Manager will advance Empower DC’s mission by leading the organization’s legislative advocacy and policy development. As a new position to the organization, the Policy Manager will help to shape and guide Empower DC’s overall policy strategy. The Policy Manager will work closely with Empower DC campaign staff and organizational partners as they support our members with developing and influencing policy solutions that advance our goals. Policy advocacy may include initiatives interfacing with the DC Mayor’s office, DC Council, DC Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and DC Zoning Commission.

Position Duties:

Shape and implement the organization’s public policy strategy.
Track policies introduced at DC Council and identify those warranting organizational engagement.
Work with members to develop policy solutions designed by people with lived experience.
Facilitate and support policy advocacy of our members by coordinating meetings with decision makers, providing training and support for their delivery of testimonies, etc.
Research policies of interest in other jurisdictions which serve as a model for our efforts.
Collaborate with program staff in engagement, mobilization, and communications to achieve goals.
Monitor and track implementation of policies of interest including funding and enforcement.
Represent the organization in Coalitions as necessary.
Cultivate relationships with key elected and appointed officials, policy makers, and related governmental bodies and leaders.
Support advocacy for the organization’s position through coordinating meetings with decisionmakers, drafting position papers, letters, public testimony, talking points and presentations in a variety of formats to engage a diverse range of constituents.
Support communications with our membership and the general public through preparing action alerts, press statements, opinion editorials, website and newsletter posts, and other communications.
Draft and deliver statements at key hearings and events – and support the same for the Executive Director and other staff and leaders.
Attend conferences and other networking events relative to the organization's mission and public policy
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader who flourishes in a fast-paced environment and can effectively manage multiple issues and projects simultaneously and independently. They will enjoy mentoring staff and members and cultivating advocacy and leadership skills within the team. They will have a demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity, substantial public policy or legislative experience, knowledge about civil rights, and experience in working with local and national partner organizations and community allies. They are a thoughtful leader who values and respects differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance, and they actively work to foster an equitable and inclusive experience for everyone in their work.

The Policy Manager should hold a Juris Doctorate Degree and a minimum of one year of experience in a similar position, or equivalent master’s level degree plus three years of experience. Negotiation, leadership, performance management, and computer skills preferred.

The ideal candidate will also have the following experience and skills:

• Experience with statutory and legislative analysis, legal research and writing, and legislative processes at the local and national levels; experience with advocacy and policy change tools and awareness of DC’s political landscape.

• Working knowledge of relevant current and proposed local laws, regulations and other legal directives, and effective civil litigation, policy/legislative development, community lawyering and advocacy practices.

• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with diplomacy, and to work effectively and respectfully with politically, ideologically, culturally, and geographically diverse people and communities.

• Ability to think strategically and conceptually with an unbiased approach to solutions using an equity and justice lens.

• Exceptional analytical, research, writing, and oral advocacy skills, as well as the ability to articulate legal concepts and complex issues and communicate them appropriately and effectively to a variety of audiences.

• Adaptable team player with the ability to engage various constituencies in a complex environment.

• Strong public speaking abilities.

• Demonstrated effectiveness in working productively with impacted populations, coalitions, and community groups, motivate volunteers, work across the political spectrum, and value differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and socio-economic circumstance.

• Make sound, timely, and informed decisions in complex situations.

• Familiarity with DC communities, local government, racial equity and social injustice issues that impact our stakeholders.

• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret complex legal and policy documents, including laws, regulations, and court opinions, as well as statistical and financial reports.

Compensation & Benefits:

This is a full-time, exempt level position, eligible for full benefits. Empower DC covers 100% of the costs of health, dental and vision insurance. Empower DC annually contributes 2.5% of each full-time employee’s salary to a retirement benefit plan. Employees accrue 10 days of vacation leave, 10 days sick leave, two personal days and all federal holidays. Our office also closes between Christmas and New Year’s. After each five-year anniversary with Empower DC, an employee is entitled to one month of paid leave as a thank you for long-time service, and as a time to refresh and rejuvenate. During the pandemic employees also receive a monthly $100 telework stipend.

To Apply:

Send an email with a resume and cover letter of why you are interested in the position to hello@empowerdc.org. Ideally, work will start no later than October 3, 2022.

Applicants must have authorization to work in the US. Empower DC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Empower DC requires all staff to show proof of COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters (with limited exceptions for religious or medical reasons).