Senior Policy Advocate, Educator Equity

Role Title: Senior Policy Advocate, Educator Equity

Location: San Francisco or Sacramento (hybrid w/limited travel)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Department: Education Equity

Pay Range: $84,800-$124,450

Reports to: Managing Attorney

About Public Advocates

Public Advocates Inc. is a nonprofit law firm and advocacy organization that challenges the systemic causes of poverty and racial discrimination by strengthening community voices in public policy and achieving tangible legal victories advancing education, housing, transportation equity and climate justice.

We spur change through collaboration with grassroots groups representing low-income communities, people of color and immigrants, combined with strategic policy reform, media advocacy and litigation — “making rights real” across California since 1971. Learn more about our work at https://publicadvocates.org.

Position Summary

The Senior Policy Advocate, Educator Equity advances Public Advocates’ mission by leading state and local advocacy to promote educator diversity, preparation, quality, and support in California. In close collaboration with the Managing Attorney, program staff, and grassroots partners, the Senior Policy Advocate develops and executes legislative, administrative, coalition and community advocacy strategies that strengthen the educator workforce and promote equitable access to well-prepared and diverse teachers for all students at the state, regional and local levels.

This position plays a key role in developing policy solutions, facilitating community collaboration, representing Public Advocates in statewide coalitions, and mentoring staff and interns in policy advocacy and coalition-building work.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Policy, Legislative & Administrative Advocacy

• Leads the development and execution of educator preparation, support, and diversity strategy at the state, regional, and local levels in partnership with the Managing Attorney.
• Works with the State Advocacy team to support budget and legislative initiatives to secure resources and strengthen proposals for fully prepared and diverse educators, aligned with the California Educator Diversity Policy Roadmap.
• Leads engagement with state agencies (California Dept. of Education and California Commission on Teacher Credentialing) to advance policies that promote development of and access to fully prepared and diverse educators for California’s highest-need students.
• Drafts written and oral advocacy including letters, testimony, and action alerts; delivers public comments and represents Public Advocates in hearings, interest holder meetings, and public forums.
• Leads Public Advocates’ participation in key statewide educator equity-focused coalition spaces, including the California Educator Diversity Action Network (CEDAN), with a focus on Educator Compensation and Teacher Pathways.
• Leads engagement with the LCFF Equity Coalition’s Educator Equity Workgroup to advocate before the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, State Board of Education and California Department of Education on issues of educator preparation, support and quality.

Community Partnership & Coalition Building

• Co-leads capacity building and strategy workgroup with grassroots partners to advance statewide and local educator diversity campaigns in collaboration with statewide alliance, the California Partnership for the Future of Learning (CA PFL), and community partner Californians for Justice.
• Coaches and assists organizing partners to advance local educator diversity and preparedness campaigns and participate in statewide educator diversity coalition.
• Coordinates with and builds capacity of regional community foundations and Public Advocates colleagues engaged in local advocacy to advance educator quality and diversity.

Communications & Narrative Strategy

• In partnership with the Director of Communications and advocacy partners, develops a coherent narrative strategy that elevates stories from educators and communities to shape policy and practice.
• Drafts blog posts, op-eds, and public education materials to highlight advocacy goals and progress.
• Represents Public Advocates and coalition partners at conferences, briefings, and in media engagements.

Resource Development

• Supports stewardship of foundation relationships to advance educator equity work as directed.
• Contributes to the development of grant proposals, reports, and funder briefings in collaboration with development staff and team management.

Leadership, Mentorship & Strategy

• Provides guidance and mentorship to junior staff, clerks, and interns, and contributes to team operations and professional development.
• Supports implementation of the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals within the program team.

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties and responsibilities may change as needed to meet organizational goals.

Supervisory Responsibilities and Key Relationships

• Does not currently have formal direct reports but may mentor junior policy staff, law clerks, and policy interns; and could supervise junior staff in the future.
• Works in close collaboration with team management, program attorneys, policy advocates, and communications staff.
• Serves as a key liaison between Public Advocates and external partners, coalitions, and funders.

Required Skills/Abilities/Competencies

• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and persuasively to varied audiences.
• Demonstrated commitment to and experience working in partnership with communities of color and/or low-income communities.
• Strong political instincts and strategic judgment.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience leading collaborative advocacy efforts or coordinating community and policy coalitions.

Desired Qualifications

• Understanding of education equity policy, particularly related to educator diversity, quality, and preparation.
• Experience mentoring or supervising staff, interns, or volunteers.
• Experience working with base-building and grassroots organizing groups.
• Master’s in Public Policy, J.D., or related graduate degree.
• Prior experience teaching or work in a school setting.
• Ability to communicate effectively in written and spoken Spanish.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree; focused studies or Masters in public policy, education, law, or a related field a plus; or equivalent combination of education and related professional experience.
• Minimum of 4-8+ years of legislative or policy advocacy experience at the California state or local level (or equivalent).

Work Hours, Travel Requirements and Additional Benefits

• For staff in the San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento, we are currently 2 days/week in-office hybrid, with Thursdays required and a second day chosen typically between Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Staff are expected to be available for meetings between 9:00 am and 5:30 pm.
• Occasional travel between San Francisco, Sacramento, and other California locations may be required.
• We provide a $75 monthly stipend to defray home office internet and cell phone expenses.

Compensation and Benefits

A salary within the range of $84,800-$124,450 will be provided to the successful candidate having met the minimum requirements for the position consistent with Public Advocates’ compensation philosophy. Exact placement will be determined based on relevant experience, education, and the scope of responsibility and impact.

Public Advocates offers a competitive benefits package including:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee, spouse/registered domestic partner, and qualifying dependents
• Employer-funded Health Savings Account
• Discretionary employer contributions to a 403(b) retirement plan
• Annual professional development budget of $750
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick leave, 13 organizational holidays, 2 floating holidays, and additional leave between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
• 12-week sabbatical after 7 years of employment (Public Advocates pays for 6 weeks and all health insurance premiums)

Application Instructions:

Please submit the following 3 items combined into one document: 1) cover letter responding to the question prompts below, 2) resume and 3) writing sample excerpt (no more than 5 pages) that illustrates your legal or policy advocacy, analytical reasoning, and communication skills. In the file name and email subject header, please write the name of the position you are applying for and your last name: e.g. “Sr Policy Advocate_Doe.” We invite you to utilize your cover letter as an opportunity to do the following:

• Tell a story that illuminates your interest in PA’s mission and theory of change; and
• Share how your background and experience aligns to the key responsibilities of this position

Please email your application materials to policyadvocate@publicadvocates.org.

Affirmative Action/EEO Statement

Public Advocates believes that to best serve our team and clients, our people need to reflect the diverse communities in which we operate. We value and celebrate the unique differences of our employees because we understand this drives critical thinking, innovation, and organizational success.

We do not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, color, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, ability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities.

Public Advocates offers a competitive benefits package including:

• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employee, spouse/registered domestic partner, and qualifying dependents
• Employer-funded Health Savings Account
• Discretionary employer contributions to a 403(b) retirement plan
• Annual professional development budget of $750
• Generous paid time off, including vacation and sick leave, 13 organizational holidays, 2 floating holidays, and additional leave between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day
• 12-week sabbatical after 7 years of employment (Public Advocates pays for 6 weeks and all health insurance premiums)