Policy & Advocacy Coordinator

Overview:

For three decades, School’s Out Washington (SOWA) has served a critical role to advance equitable expanded learning ecosystems in Washington state. We work to ensure high-quality afterschool and summer programs are available so all of Washington’s youth—and especially low-income youth and youth of color—can have the opportunities they deserve to thrive. SOWA is dedicated to building responsive community systems to support quality afterschool, youth development and summer programs for Washington’s children and youth ages 5 through young adulthood.

Position Summary:

The Policy and Advocacy Coordinator will play a key role in mobilizing a movement for more equitable access to high quality expanded learning and youth development opportunities across Washington state. As part of SOWA’s small policy and advocacy team and large statewide coalition, the Youth Development Strategy Table, coordinating policy-related activities including policymaker outreach and advocacy planning; afterschool and summer system building; expanding opportunities for STEM education; and helping create communications for policymakers, providers, stakeholders, and the public.

Reports to: Policy & Advocacy Director

Location: Remote from anywhere in Washington state, or from our Tukwila office

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Policy & Advocacy Support

• Work closely with the Policy & Advocacy Director to mobilize support for SOWA and the Youth Development Strategy Table’s advocacy priorities
• Coordinate and support logistics for the Youth Development Strategy Table, including regular leadership team meetings and coalition meetings, annual retreat, and regional meetings
• Assist in coordinating policy and advocacy projects, including our annual legislative advocacy day
• Assist in local, state, and federal legislation research, tracking, and analysis
• Assist in tracking and sharing of emerging trends and research in expanded learning and youth development system-building, including resourcing the field, advancing equity within and through youth development and Youth Program Quality initiatives across the country
• Coordinate ways to implement new trends within the context of current and future work

Communications and Administrative Responsibilities

• Support project budgets, grant reporting, and lobbying public disclosure requirements
• Lead meeting administration including scheduling, securing space and food, taking notes, upkeep of Monday.com boards, Google/SharePoint files etc.
• Work with the Communications team to develop and implement various communication tools to inform and educate afterschool providers, policymakers, stakeholders and the community at-large about afterschool and related issues
• Write bi-monthly YDST newsletter using the MailChimp platform.
• Implement the Light's On Afterschool and Summer Learning Day communications strategies

Other Responsibilities

• Address racism, sexism, heterosexism and other discriminatory practices, including reflecting and addressing how racism and bias may appear in the context of your work with others
• Work toward racial equity through undoing institutional and structural racism, including active participation in organizational learning
• Support overall office functionality and organization
• Participate in staff and team meetings
• Serve as an ambassador for the organization, both formally and informally
• Perform other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS AND COMPETENCIES:

• Two years of related work experience and/or combination of related work experience and education;
• Experience working on policy, advocacy, or political campaigns preferred
• Youth development/expanded learning provider experience preferred
• Knowledge of equity and social justice principles and practices
• Direct knowledge and/or lived experience and connections to BIPOC communities preferred
• Experience convening and communicating with stakeholders of diverse backgrounds and opinions
• Commitment to working with diverse individuals, groups, communities and organizations;
• Understanding of the legislative process and relationships of public agencies preferred
• Strong administration, coordination and organizing skills
• Ability to synthesize, interpret, and communicate research and data to general audiences (or non-technical audiences)
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with demonstrated experience working effectively in collaboration with others
• Excellent oral and written communication
• Requires flexibility in time requirements/constraints; may require some early morning, evening, weekend meetings, including some statewide and national travel and limited overnight stays

HOURS AND BENEFITS:

40 hours per week, Monday-Friday Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Classification: Nonexempt

Hiring range: Pay band 22, $55,000-$63,300 annual salary range based on relevant experience. Over time, the employee in this role may earn up to $72,000 per year with additional years of service at SOWA.

Benefit package includes medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, a 403b retirement savings plan, and generous paid time off.

Our Equity Commitment: School’s Out Washington is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has a commitment to addressing racism, sexism, heterosexism and other discriminatory practices and a commitment to working toward racial equity through undoing institutional and structural racism. People of Color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ individuals are encouraged to apply.