Policy Advocate

Responsibilities

• Supporting the Senior Policy Director to closely track education policy developments, becoming a subject matter and process expert to inform the larger community;
• Connecting community members to advocacy and communications opportunities strategically designed to drive meaningful policy change;
• Keeping partners informed on policy issues to support their ongoing engagement in advocacy;
• Supporting the Senior Policy Director with direct legislative work, including attending meetings and hearings, coordinating testimony, and other advocacy tactics;
• Managing logistics and event plans for lobby days and policy engagement events, engaging other team members as needed;
• Utilizing systems to track and maintain community engagement with the policy process;
• Leading EdAllies’ Youth Advisory Council, partnering with a cohort of students to develop and execute advocacy campaigns grounded in student needs;
• Serving as a public-facing ambassador for the organization as needed, including through social media videos, service on task forces and coalitions, testimony, and more;
• Collaborating closely with team members to advance EdAllies’ mission and vision.

Qualifications

• A strong commitment to EdAllies’ mission, and to education equity more broadly;
• Strong communication skills, including comfort with public speaking and the ability to break down complex policy issues for multiple audiences;
• Strong relationship-building skills with demonstrated experience working across lines of race, ethnicity, age, political identity, and socioeconomic background;
• Experience organizing groups around advocacy goals;
• Familiarity with the Minnesota policy process and eagerness to engage in work at the Capitol;
• Demonstrated understanding of effective policy advocacy strategies and tactics;
• Familiarity with local education landscape and/or current education policy debates;
• Excellent collaboration skills, with the ability to seek and implement feedback from colleagues, and to support projects across the organization as needed;
• Commitment to principles of student-centered education, inclusiveness, and justice;
• Ability to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing environment, self-direct and prioritize among competing goals, and work both independently and collaboratively;
• Personal experience or connection that drives a passion for the work preferred;
• 2+ years of experience in education, advocacy, organizing, or related field;
• Proficiency in Spanish, Hmong, or Somali is a plus.

Compensation

The position pays an annual salary of $60,000-$74,000, based on qualifications and experience. Candidates with more than five years of relevant experience may be eligible for hiring at the senior advocate level, with a range of $70,000-$90,000. EdAllies also provides a robust benefits package which includes medical, dental, long-term disability, life, and vision insurance premiums paid in full for employees and significantly subsidized for families; 401(k) matched up to 5% with immediate vesting; 21 days of annual PTO; 9 paid holidays plus a paid winter break and 2 floating days; Summer Fridays; flexible bereavement leave; parental leave with 8 weeks fully paid; school activities and student service release time; and more.