Senior Associate, Policy

The Opportunity

The Senior Policy Associate role involves leading CEO’s efforts to engage government officials across our states - primarily focused on supporting our California sites, as well as formerly incarcerated individuals and community-based organizations, with the goal of increasing government investment in reentry employment services, addressing and mitigating collateral consequences for individuals returning home from incarceration, and generating revenue for CEO. 

The Senior Policy Associate will work closely with the broader CEO Policy team, as well as our California regional and site program teams, to develop and execute statewide policy strategies each year. In addition, this person will serve as an advocate for people affected by federal and state policies that create barriers to reentry and employment after incarceration, monitoring and influencing legislation relevant to these issues. 

Who We Are

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people with recent criminal convictions. Across the United States, over 6,000 people participate in CEO each year, transitioning to employment that supports themselves, their families, and their communities.

What began as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice in the 1970s to address employment barriers facing the formerly incarcerated following release in New York City has grown into the leading reentry employment organization in the country, where over 25,000 formerly incarcerated individuals have secured full-time employment since 1996. Since 2009, CEO has gained support to expand its programs through government, nonprofit, and private organizations including the Federal Social Innovation Fund, the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation, Robin Hood Foundation, and Rockefeller Foundation. In 2016, CEO embarked on a 5-year strategic plan to grow to serve 9,000 participants annually.

CEO's Staff Vaccination Policy

CEO has implemented an org-wide vaccination requirement that requires all new staff to be fully vaccinated before their first day of work. We have made this decision for the safety of our participants and employees and to enhance our ability to continue to provide the vital services we offer to our participants. As part of the onboarding process, new hires will be asked to submit proof of vaccination status prior to their first day of employment.

If you are unable to get vaccinated against COVID-19 for medical or religious reasons, you can request a reasonable accommodation.  An interactive meeting will be scheduled to discuss your request.  
 
CEO does not discriminate against individuals with actual or perceived infection with COVID19 or based on an actual or perceived history of such infection nor based on any protected status. 

Who You Are

• You have 3 years of experience in policy or programming related to criminal justice and/or workforce development
• You have strong research and analytical skills
• You have excellent written and oral communication
• You have strong organizational and project management skills
• You have strong interpersonal skills and a passion for team-based work
• You have the ability to engage and motivate a diverse group of stakeholders
• You have extensive knowledge of criminal justice and workforce policy 
• You have knowledge of legislative, appropriations/budget and administrative processes that can drive policy change 
• You have extensive knowledge surrounding the barriers individuals face upon returning home from incarceration
• You have demonstrated interest in the mission and values of CEO, and comfort with collaborating and maintaining connections with colleagues located across 11 states
• You have a commitment to racial justice and advancing meaningful change for people impacted by the legal system 

Major Responsibilities

These responsibilities are representative, but not all-inclusive, of the responsibilities of this role:

Policy Analysis and Advocacy

• Develop and fully implement a funding or advocacy strategy, leading day to day execution for CEO in a particular state, in collaboration with CEO Policy team leadership and Program leadership teams
• Conduct timely analysis and maintain ongoing monitoring of relevant state legislation and budgets and share analysis with internal and external stakeholders
• Generate written content, including concept papers, budget asks and policy briefs, to facilitate engagement with state executive and legislative leadership
• Work with state consultants/lobbyists to execute policy strategies 
• Directly engage with policymakers in collaboration with Program and Policy team leadership to manage relationships critical to CEO funding and advocacy
• Engage with state and local policy organizations to understand and support current statewide justice/workforce development reform efforts and contribute to field-building efforts for employment, decarceration and racial justice
• Lead and support CEO’s coalition building at the state and federal level
• Work with Policy team leadership to develop content for the organization’s strategic plan, ongoing funder updates and Board updates
• Identify and share best practices with external audiences related to criminal justice and workforce investment and/or the mitigation of collateral consequences

Collaboration and Technical Assistance

• Collaborate with other divisions within CEO to implement program innovation strategies (such as economic opportunity initiatives or participant engagement strategies) 
• Provide internal capacity building to Program team through the development of trainings and/or learning tables
• Engage national resources in message development and strategy refinement in collaboration with CEO’s Communications team
• Work with the organization’s Fund Development team in support of CEO’s fundraising agenda

Administration

• Collect, summarize and analyze state data and CEO program data to inform CEO’s policy strategy
• Attend trainings, conferences and other meetings that help further inform CEO’s policy strategy
• Offer suggestions around improvements to processes and systems related to CEO’s policy work

Compensation and Benefits  

The salary for this position is $63,500 -$77,000. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, paid parental leave, participation in a retirement plan, sick and vacation leave, paid holidays and more.  We're a workplace that promotes continual learning and teamwork, offering lunch and learns, team outings, holiday gatherings and more for our staff.

 More About Us

The Center for Employment Opportunities believes that everyone deserves the chance to shape a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. Our commitment to being an anti-racism organization that is inclusive across all identities and experiences drives us forward every day. We exist to create greater opportunities for people who face multiple barriers to personal and professional success, and we’re passionate about being agents of change who promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access to opportunities for all.

People who are justice involved, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQ+ , and people with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. We are an equal employment opportunity for all regardless of race, color, citizenship, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran or reservist status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

Please note that due to the volume of resumes received, we are unable to contact each applicant regarding the status of each position or reply to candidates' inquiries via phone or email.

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