King County Policy Project Manager

Job Title: King County Policy Project Manager

Status: Regular, Full Time

Reports To: Charles Smith

Compensation: $65,000 to $75,000

Program: Public Policy & Advocacy

Classification: Exempt

Home Office: Hybrid: Required to be in the office 3 days a week with hours from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

Remote, up to 2 days a week.

Application Requirements:

To be considered, applicants must apply online: https://mockingbirdsociety.org/about/careers) and include a resume and a letter of interest that includes a statement regarding the applicant’s commitment to racial equity.

ABOUT THE MOCKINGBIRD SOCIETY

The Mockingbird Society (TMS) is a non-partisan advocacy organization focused on transforming foster care and ending youth homelessness. We do this by creating, supporting, and advocating for racially equitable, healthy environments that develop youth and young adults at risk of or experiencing foster care or homelessness.

POSITION SUMMARY

The King County Policy Project Manager is a full-time position that will contribute significantly to The Mockingbird Society’s goal to end youth homelessness. The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) has created a robust 5-year plan; this position will play a key role in organizing, planning, and strategizing around youth and young adult engagement in this effort. This position will work under the supervision of the Co-Director of Public Policy & Advocacy, will develop strategic partnerships with service providers and coalitions, engage young people with lived experience to advocate for a seat at the table in King County’s work to end youth and young adult homelessness, will identify opportunities for Mockingbird chapters to advocate at local councils, (to include Suburban cities), in support of Mockingbird policy agendas and in alignment with coalition partners.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Function as a critical conduit in support of young advocates driving youth-led policy at the county and city levels to prevent & end youth and young adult homelessness throughout King County.
• Support work around Executive (administrative) policy—particularly relative to KCRHA and King Youth Homelessness Coalitions.
  • Prepare young people (in partnership with Youth Programs) to conduct direct advocacy at county (and city) levels
  • Identify opportunities (particularly in suburban areas like Burien, Renton, Kent, etc.) for advocacy and coalition-building with partners and aligned organizations
• Elevate King County-specific issues to TMS Co-Director of Public Policy and Executive Director for advocacy, as well as their representation within coalition spaces.
• Collaborate with advocacy partners to establish and strengthen partnerships with local coalitions, advocacy groups, and governmental stakeholders who are actively seeking and effectively engaging youth voices.
• Approach planning and organizing work with a commitment to advancing racial equity and addressing systemic oppression.
• In partnership with youth advocate colleagues, conduct outreach through advocacy partners to youth and young adults with lived experience to engage them in advocacy activities and focus groups to inform key strategies and priorities.
  • Elevate strategy suggestions and critical information to executive and director tables to build a strong case with county and city institutions around the inclusion of youth voices in policy.
  • Provide administrative support for policy research, draft memos and reports, and create succinct one-pagers for both internal and external audiences.
  • Collaborate closely with the Mockingbird Society Youth Programs Department chapters to build and organize their administrative topics, ensuring alignment with policy objectives.
  • Monitor and track the progress of local, state, and federal legislation that impacts county policies and Mockingbird Society initiatives.
  • Develop and manage project timelines, ensuring policy-related tasks and deliverables meet critical deadlines.
  • Draft and refine policy documents, summaries, and presentations to clearly communicate key initiatives and administrative goals.
  • Facilitate communication between policy teams and program departments to ensure seamless integration of youth-centered policy objectives.
• Educate partners engaging youth voice to ensure that they not only rely on but also employ (and adequately compensate) more than one young person’s voice.
• Collect data, stories of impact, and other materials to evaluate success and refine strategies.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with, and/or commitment to ensuring race equity, social justice, and cultural competence be a workplace and public policy priority.
• At least two years of experience in public policy, youth development, direct homeless services, community organizing, and/or related fields.
• Experience with homelessness or related human services policy and/or King County political process preferred.
• Excellent relationship-building skills; ability to maintain a positive, professional, and service-oriented demeanor at all times in community with youth, donors, community members, elected officials, etc.
• Excellent presentation, facilitation, and public speaking skills are preferred.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, youth/adult partnership philosophy; experience in mentoring and coaching youth and young adults is a plus.
• Excellent project management skills: ability to multitask, meet deadlines, and balance priorities.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work, public policy, public administration, or related field, or a comparable combination of education and experience, is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Upon date of hire, must be able to pass a Washington State and national criminal history check.
• Access to reliable transportation, a valid WA state driver’s license, and adequate insurance
• Frequent travel to Olympia, WA required during the legislative session.
• Occasional travel to partner locations and conferences.
• Compliance with all agency policies regarding COVID-19 as well as state-mandated vaccination policy.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The starting salary for this position is $65k to $75k per year, depending on experience and qualifications. In addition, The Mockingbird Society offers:

• 100% employer-paid premiums for Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• 2 Weeks’ Vacation for the first year. Vacation accrual increases with each service year (until the 5th year)
• 2 Weeks Sick Leave
• 13 paid holidays
• 2 floating holidays for full-time staff
• Office closure/paid holidays from Christmas through New Year’s Day
• 401K Match
• Employee assistance program

EMPLOYMENT POLICY

The Mockingbird Society is an Equal Opportunity employer. Employment is based upon individual qualifications without regard to race, culture, sex, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, marital status, veteran status, disabilities, political ideology, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other legally protected status. We welcome all applicants, especially individuals with experience as caregivers, alumni of foster care, and those who have experienced youth homelessness. We recognize that women are statistically less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet 100% of the qualifications. If you do not meet all the qualifications, we hope you will still consider applying.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered, applications must include a resume and a letter of interest that includes a statement regarding the applicant's commitment to racial equity. Submit your resume and cover letter by going to our website career page: https://mockingbirdsociety.bamboohr.com/careers