The Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC) is seeking a highly skilled individual with strong background in community engagement, non-profit management, and advocacy to join a dedicated team of passionate professionals working on social justice issues impacting Southeast Asian American (SEAA) communities. The California Director oversees SEARAC’s comprehensive California strategy to amplify SEARAC’s national voice. The ideal candidate will have experience managing grant-funded projects, building and working in coalitions, advocating with policy makers, providing training and technical assistance to community-based partners, as well as deep familiarity with the SEAA community in California. The California Director manages a small team, and serves as a key member of SEARAC’s policy and management team. This full-time position is based in Sacramento, CA, and reports to the Executive Director.
MAJOR ROLES
California is home to almost one million Southeast Asian Americans who trace their heritage to Cambodia, Laos, or Vietnam, comprising the nation’s largest Southeast Asian American (SEAA) community. The California Director works within coalitions such as the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, and the California Immigrant Policy Center, to identify and advocate for policies to support SEAA communities, and works to build the capacity of local community-based organizations to advocate for their community’s needs and demands at the California-state level. The California Director will oversee SEARAC’s health equity advocacy and boys & men of color (BMOC) work, provide training and technical assistance to community-based partners, and build strategic relationships with policymakers, local partners, and philanthropy.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Community engagement and training
Strategically build and expand relationships in California with local partners, policymakers, and philanthropy to advance SEARAC’s work and the interests of SEAA communities.
Oversee and implement state-wide training initiatives including regional and local trainings for community-based organizations and advocates to build their advocacy and organizational capacity.
Lead development of advocacy training materials and training modules.
Represent SEARAC at conferences and prepare conference presentations.
Policy and advocacy
Lead policy analysis and advocacy on select California state legislation, regulations, and guidance affecting SEAA communities.
Direct and implement SEARAC’s advocacy campaigns on health equity and boys & men of color with the support of SEARAC’s Health Policy Advocate and Boys & Men of Color Coordinator.
Establish and maintain relationships with key decision making offices and allies to advance advocacy efforts.
Request and lead meetings with legislative, administrative, and community decision makers on policy issues affecting SEAA communities.
Collaborate and lead numerous coalition initiatives to advance SEARAC’s policy priorities. Ensure SEARAC’s priorities remain an integral part of coalition work.
Represent SEARAC in state coalitions around health equity, immigration, issues facing boys & men of color.
Engage AAPI community-based organizations in sustained advocacy.
Management (Staff, Financial, and Operations)
Supervise at least two full time-staff and additional interns/volunteers.
Work with the Executive Director to annually review policy staff performance and work plans.
Oversee all CA grants and work with Executive Director to modify budgets as needed.
Work with Executive Director and Director of Communications and Development to identify, pursue, and develop development strategies for program expansion/sustainability.
Manage CA office facilities, and communicate with the DC office to manage maintenance and billing.
Work with other SEARAC staff and board members in support of SEARAC’s overall mission.
EXPERIENCE/SKILLS REQUIRED
3-5 years of experience in non-profit management.
Experience with one of SEARAC’s major policy areas (health, immigration, education, or boys & men of color) as they pertain to SEAAs.
Ability to communicate complex policy issues to local communities and community-based organizations.
Community engagement through community-based organizations. Demonstrated effective grassroots public policy strategies a plus.
Budgeting, financial management, and project reporting.
Program planning, management, and implementation.
Superior verbal and written communication abilities.
Experience supervising staff.
EXPERIENCE/SKILLS PREFERRED
Familiarity with the CA legislative system.
Group facilitation and training.
Deep familiarity with CA’s SEAA communities.
Ability to travel and work weekends as required.
EDUCATION
Advanced degree or equivalent in public policy or administration, social sciences, or other relevant fields. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
COMPENSATION
Competitive, plus a strong benefits package.
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Priority Deadline: July 17, 2015.
How to apply
APPLICATION PROCESS
Those interested in this position may apply by submitting a letter of interest, a current resume, and a brief writing sample (preferably policy-related, no more than 3 pages). Electronic application packages are encouraged and should be sent in PDF or MS Word format.
Please include “California Director” in the subject line of emails.
Please address all application materials to:
Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
ATTN: Quyen Dinh, Executive Director
1628 16th Street, NW | Washington, D.C. 20009
E-mail: application@searac.org