Policy / Project Associate

About Just Cities Institute

Just Cities advances racial justice in public policy and urban planning through transformative models of participatory and community-based design. We organize collective action with directly impacted residents, government leaders, and other stakeholders to tackle the big racial justice issues facing Bay Area and California cities, including environmental justice, climate change, homelessness, displacement, and re-entry justice. We solve social and economic injustice by addressing the root causes of systemic injustice and designing appropriate policy change solutions. Our work is rooted in love-based justice and racial reconciliation principles. Our work has led to local, statewide, and national best practice policies and plans that have restored human rights and dignity for thousands of residents impacted by structural racism and other forms of discrimination.

POSITION SUMMARY

Just Cities seeks a compassionate public policy/urban planning research and project associate to:

• Coordinate and execute project activities in support of strategic resource development, grant writing, communications, and other organizational priorities
• Support external community planning projects
• Conduct research, analysis, and writing to support public policy and research reports

We seek a thoughtful, organized, and eager individual who enjoys building strong systems, supporting a team, and learning the fundamentals of policy research, communications, operations, and resource development in service of racial and restorative justice. The Policy/Project Associate will bring strong organizational and writing skills, a willingness to learn, and a genuine commitment to the Just Cities mission, working closely with the leadership team and project staff to help advance the organization's programmatic and operational goals.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Resource Development, Communications, and Organizational Priorities

• Support the coordination of strategic resource development activities, including tracking deadlines, maintaining calendars, and organizing supporting materials.
• Assist with the planning and execution of communications efforts, including newsletters, website updates, and other external-facing materials.
• Contribute to grant-writing efforts as part of a larger team, including drafting sections, gathering supporting materials, and assisting with proposal logistics.
• Work with the Director of Finance & Operations to support physical office management and organize other administrative and operations functions.

Community Engagement Project Coordination

• Manage administrative activities for community steering committees, as needed, including invoicing for committee members, logistical support for meetings, and coordination of any training.
• Help create and maintain project workplans, track task completion, and follow up with team members to keep priorities moving forward.
• Coordinate meetings with consultants, partners and community groups (i.e., Zoom logistics, note-taking, and other logistics).
• Support collaborative contracts, including partner reporting, budget tracking, invoicing, and payment requirements.

Research, Analysis, and Writing

• Work with Project Directors and Project Managers to support research, analysis, and writing on public policy reports.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research tasks, including data gathering, data analysis, organization, and summary write-ups.
• Help produce accessible summaries, briefs, and materials that translate research findings for community and government audiences.
• Support the creation of infographics and other data visualization products as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS

Professional Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a related field, or two years of direct relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• At least 1-2 years of related professional experience in project coordination, research, nonprofit communications/development, or a related area.
• Demonstrated commitment to low-income communities of color and advancing racial and social justice.
• Strong writing skills with excellent attention to detail in policy, research, and grant writing.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective coordination work with multiple organizations and individuals. Ability to support multiple concurrent tasks and follow through on deadlines.

Interpersonal & Team Building Skills

• Works well with grassroots community members and leaders, and values their expertise, knowledge, and leadership.
• Enjoys working as part of a team to accomplish common goals.
• Comfortable supporting the work of others while also taking ownership of specific tasks and responsibilities.
• Takes joy in and actively supports colleagues' and partners' success.
• Approaches conflicts and misunderstandings with a healthy, affirming attitude.

Personal Qualities

• Integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for Just Cities' mission.
• Demonstrates openness to feedback while exercising sound professional judgment.
• Takes initiative, is persistent, and delivers high-quality results.
• Embraces a growth mindset.
• Able to ask for help and advice when needed.
• Committed to continuous improvement.
• Demonstrates emotional intelligence.
• Patient, calm, and compassionate.

TERM AND COMPENSATION

Classification & Hours

This is a temporary, hourly, non-exempt position, estimated at 32 to 40 hours per week.

Term

The role has an expected 6-month term of September 2026 to February 2027, with the possibility of extension.

Compensation

Just Cities benchmarks its salaries against comparable positions in the Bay Area to ensure that they are equitable. The hourly rate for this position is $32.42 to $35.91, depending upon experience.

Benefits

This position is eligible for Just Cities' benefits, including paid time off, employer-sponsored healthcare, vision and dental insurance, and retirement plans.

LOCATION

The Policy / Project Associate will work at Just Cities’ Berkeley office on Mondays and Wednesdays. Just Cities’ work-from-home policy enables staff to work remotely three days a week.

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume by July 31, 2026. We will review and respond to applications on a rolling basis. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Just Cities values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBT individuals, people who have been systems impacted, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. Just Cities is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, criminal history, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.