Community Momentum at Thrive:

To ensure that every child gets a great start in school and life, Thrive Washington plays a central role in building effective and coordinated regional platforms so that local communities can shape and advance key policies and strategies toward a comprehensive statewide early learning system. We help state and local organizations work together, tap into each other’s wisdom, and respond effectively to the needs of all children and families. The Community Momentum team does its work in the following ways:

Championing and supporting partnerships at all levels and between sectors, so that our state’s early learning efforts meet the diverse needs of all children and families.
Collaborating closely with leaders and stakeholders in 10 Regional Early Learning Coalitions as well as the Department of Early Learning, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Department of Health and the Department of Social and Health Services to implement the state’s Early Learning Plan.
Embracing the richness of the state’s early learning field by engaging in partnerships and alliances in specific content areas, such as the Early Learning Public Library Partnership, or represent specific communities, such as the First Peoples, First Steps Alliance.

Key Responsibilities:

This is a policy and advocacy position with an emphasis on field organizing functions. While the work will focus most heavily on engaging and supporting the Regional Coalitions in their effort to build advocacy capacity, the Policy Manager will also provide equity-driven analysis and advocacy of state-level early learning policies to close the opportunity gap. The Policy Manager reports to the Director of Community Momentum and works within a highly collaborative team of two other managers with expertise in program and agency capacity building in the regions.

Statewide Field Engagement (50%)

Represent and integrate the experiences, perspectives, and expertise from communities across Washington state to strengthen the policies that underpin good practice
Share leadership to maintain and grow effective advocacy partnerships with Early Learning Regional Coalitions and various early learning stakeholders
Support local field organizing activities that promote the importance of building and sustaining a high quality early learning system in Washington state
Provide training and other onsite technical support to regional partners regarding legislative and administrative agency advocacy
Enable and facilitate planning for proactive advocacy site visits, events and engagements at a local, regional and state level

Legislative Advocacy (30%)

Manage relationships with a diverse array of advocates, coalitions, state agencies and legislative staff to discuss and advance policy priorities
Facilitate and support cross departmental Thrive policy team in developing and implementing legislative strategies
Offer a strong field and community perspective on implications of specific legislation
Track legislation and budget processes that are key to Thrive’s legislative priorities
Represent Thrive in targeted state and local policy dialogues

Advancing Racial Equity (20%)

Facilitate conversations of community stakeholders to support implementation of the Racial Equity Theory of Change

Utilize a racial equity lens in analysis of policies, programs and practices to ensure the early learning system serves as a powerful driver to eliminate the opportunity gap
Draft reports and recommendations on proven and promising policies so that the early learning system is responsive to the unique racial, ethnic and cultural needs of children and families

Key Qualifications:

The successful candidate must have strong passion for equity and a commitment to addressing the opportunity gap, and the ability to work cooperatively and effectively with staff and partners. He or she must have the ability to think relationally, creatively and strategically, work independently and as a team member within deadlines, and prioritize work. Specific qualifications include:

Strong and flexible communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
Ability to engage with and facilitate broad groups of stakeholders on a diverse array of topics
Ability to handle multiple projects with moderate direction and manage workflow among team members and external stakeholders
A sense of humor and demeanor for extensive teamwork are a must
Ability to work with data to synthesize and communicate results to diverse audiences
Experience working on policy issues related to education
Experience working on community mobilization and community-based collaborations
Technical skills with typical office software, presentation design and social media
Conversational fluency in Spanish would be a great asset in this role

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in political science, psychology, social work or related field is required. A Master’s degree in public administration or public policy and 3 to 5 years of related work experience is desired.

How to apply

To apply, please send a resume and thoughtful, succinct letter of introduction to: hr@thrivewa.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the job is open until filled, with a first review date of July 6, 2015.