Deputy Director of Programs and Policy

Are you passionate about policies, programs and advancing the climate justice movement in Oregon? OJTA seeks to hire an experienced advocate, leader, and alliance builder for the position of deputy director of programs and policy. This position is responsible for determining the alliance’s substantive policy, advocacy and research priorities, as well as planning and implementing legislative and administrative rulemaking strategies. It also involves working closely with staff who organize and mobilize political campaigns and programs in coordination with those advocacy strategies.

The deputy director of programs and policy will be responsible for development and deployment of OJTA’s power-building strategies. They will be part of the leadership team, supervise staff and contractors, and collaborate across teams to build community, and develop, research, and create policy. The position reports to the executive director.

The deputy director of programs and policy will collaborate with our statewide alliance to make long-term changes to advance the power and influence of frontline communities, our alliance, and our agenda for climate and environmental justice through the framework of a Just Transition.

Candidates well qualified for this position may have experience in civic engagement strategy and leadership, political campaigns and political organizations, experience working in communities of color as an organizer or advocate, and have a passion for changing what’s politically possible to achieve our climate and environmental justice goals. The ideal candidate will have a passion for policy with an instinct to think outside the box and an openness to experiment with new ideas.

Specific duties include:

Policy and Advocacy Management (30%)

• Identify policy goals, strategies, and timely research priorities, in collaboration with other staff and under the supervision of the executive director.
• Oversee legislative and administrative advocacy efforts on issues that impact the electoral process and democratic practice.
• Among other duties, provide written and oral testimony to policymakers, monitor and lobby relevant stakeholders, and coordinate closely with the communications director on digital advocacy strategies.
• Coordinate with partner organizations on shared advocacy goals and strategies.
• Supervise research related to issues that impact the rulemaking process and legislative priorities for OJTA.
• Develop a legislative work plan that includes legislative projects, research projects, session dates, campaign timelines and deliverables, as well as other items that arise, in partnership with the policy and programs team.
• Oversee public-facing, written research pieces ranging in length from brief analyses to longer reports.
• Assist with message development related to research findings and policy goals.

Strategic Planning (20%):

• Collaborate with the executive director to develop and implement the organization's strategic plan. Implement existing strategies and develop new strategies appropriate to the alliance assets and trajectory that strengthen the political power of our member-base and vision for a Just Transition.
• Identify emerging trends and opportunities in the Just Transition and environmental justice fields.
• Help set organizational goals, objectives, and performance metrics.
• Monitor progress and adapt strategies as needed.

Program and Policy Management (20%):

• Oversee and manage the organization's programs and policy team related to just transition and environmental justice.
• Provide strategic program development, implementation and evaluation.
• Ensure that programs align with the organization's mission and strategic objectives.
• Supervise policy and program staff, providing guidance, support, and performance evaluations.
• Monitor program and policy budgets and ensure effective resource allocation.

Operations and Finance (15%):

• Manage policy and programs staff and resources
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and manage the organization's finances effectively.
• Maintain strategic relationships with OJTA policy and program consultants, and negotiate contracts and scopes of work as needed.

Communications (15%):

• Support the communications team in overseeing the development and execution of communication strategies, including narrative strategy when it comes to OJTA’s policy and legislative agenda.
• Collaborate with the communications team to ensure effective messaging.
• Provide guidance and support to communications staff, ensuring alignment with the organization's policy priorities.
• Monitor the impact of communication strategies and make necessary adjustments.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong commitment to the vision, mission, and values of Oregon Just Transition Alliance, i.e. demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity or working directly in and for frontline communities of color.
• Passion for making justice the center of the climate and environmental conversation.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field (Master's degree preferred).
• Strong understanding of environmental justice, climate change, and Just Transition principles.
• Three to five years experience evidencing a background in lobbying, public policy, legislative affairs, or grassroots coordination and/or advocacy.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and team-building skills.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and inspire a diverse team of professionals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to social and environmental justice.
• Demonstrated commitment to advancing racial equity or working directly in and for communities of color with experience working in diverse communities namely with people of color and indigenous peoples as well as disenfranchised communities.
• Strong commitment to the vision, mission, and values of Oregon Just Transition Alliance.
• Team player capable of working both collaboratively and independently.
• Experience working with and taking direction from frontline communities and working with community based organizations.
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, collaboration, and transparency.
• Demonstrated commitment to social and environmental justice that uplifts OJTA’s commitment to building power for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, people with disabilities, and low-income rural communities in Oregon
• Demonstrated multicultural competency
• Knowledge of climate justice principles
• Excellent writing, editing and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently; a self-starter with a high level of motivation, creativity, and proactivity.

Location:

Candidate must be based in Oregon within three months of hiring. This position will be about 80-90% remote as all staff are expected to occasionally attend in-person monthly staff meetings, fundraising events, member events and retreats that are held across the state. During state legislative sessions, must be available for in-person meetings in Salem. Work related travel expenses are 100% covered.

Application deadline:

Open until filled.

To apply:

In one PDF, send a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to info@ojta.org (subject: Deputy Director of Programs and Policy).

OJTA and Community Initiatives is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited category.