Organizational Summary
We’re a non-profit urban land trust that builds parks and community gardens in Los Angeles’ park-poor, low-income communities of color. We’ve got 18 parks and community gardens up and running and we’ve got another 10 in our development pipeline. You can learn more about us here. We’ve also got a pretty chatty Facebook page.
We’re located in a heritage office building in Downtown LA, close to Staples Center, tons of restaurants, and lots of transit options. We’re pretty busy and change is part of our work-a-day life. Our office is a bustling and cheerful space, with an in-house team of 20+ dedicated and hardworking folks. We have monthly potlucks, a serious dedication to health and wellness, and we take time to laugh throughout our workday.
We are looking to bring on a self-starter and systems-thinker with strong research and policy skills to fill the role of Policy and Research Manager.
Position Purpose and Summary
The Policy and Research Manager supports the Director of Special Projects in the development and implementation of innovative research and policy efforts. The Policy and Research Manager manages a diverse and dynamic portfolio of work including the development of an organization-wide evaluation system and the management of the Park Equity Now Coalition. The Policy and Research Manager takes a central role identifying, designing, developing, and authoring readily-accessible information for use in grant reports, applications, communications, and trainings. The Policy and Research Manager leads active campaigns to build green space equity throughout the region. The Policy and Research Manager also leads the organizations effort to identify potential sites for park and community garden development. Strong candidates for the position will come with a broad consciousness of environmental justice, equity, and community based participatory research and policy change experience. Successful candidates will also come prepared to lead work that is emerging, not fully defined, and be expected to create strong organizational practices. The Policy and Research Manager works primarily in an office environment, but will be expected to travel to Land Trust sites and stakeholder events throughout the greater LA area.
Essential Functions: The essential functions or duties listed are intended as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
Policy and Advocacy
Lead facilitation, convening, and relationship building for the Park Equity Now Coalition and the Parks for All campaign.
Conduct on-going advocacy and policy trainings with LANLT’s Park Equity Leadership Academy.
Build strategic relationships with local decision-makers and elected officials to support the Land Trust campaign and park development work.
Track and analyze important legislation at the City, County, State, and Federal level; and provide updates to staff at monthly staff meetings.
Be a strong advocate for policies in-line with the organization’s mission including routinely giving public testimony, writing sign-on or support letters, and meeting with legislative staff.
Participate in stakeholder and partner working groups/coalitions as appropriate to advance the organization’s mission.
Develop, review, and produce policy reports, issue briefs, comment letters, or similar materials to inform community members and policy makers.
Identify, support, and craft policies in partnership with community members to support increased access to green space.
Lead planning, development, and coordination of yearly Park Equity Summits.
Disseminate information to wide range of audiences.
Research and Evaluation
Develop an organization-wide evaluation system to track inputs, outcomes, and impact of the organization’s work.
Lead community based participatory research efforts across all organization activities including the cultivation of a strong network of community researchers.
Develop a readily accessible system for fellow staff to retrieve information for use in grant applications, report, communications, and trainings.
Routinely map, analyze, and evaluate information as directed by the Director of Special Projects.
Lead research, focus groups, and qualitative and quantitative research activities across the organization.
Present and disseminate findings to wide range of audiences including local community groups and national conferences.
Project Identification, Assessment, and Impact Evaluation
Manage TILL Database to identify prospective publicly-owned parcels for development into parks and community gardens.
Create marketable reports for stakeholders to review potential development opportunities.
Convene diverse stakeholder groups to discuss potential development opportunities.
Create open-source tools for community partners to identify and develop vacant land in LA City and unincorporated LA County.
Supervision/Accountability
Supervision Scope: Performs highly responsible work requiring the frequent exercise of leadership, independent judgment, and initiative in planning and oversight of the administration of programs and in the development and delivery of services to meet programmatic needs.
Supervision Received: Works under the direction of the Director of Special Projects, and consults with the Director of Special Projects when clarification, interpretation, or exception to organizational policies may be required.
Supervision Given: Supervises research interns and sub-contractors. Will be asked to lead projects that involve managing teams of fellow staff.
Minimum Requirements/Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily, as well as other duties as assigned by the Director of Special Projects. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience – Master’s degree with applied quantitative and qualitative research and/or policy advocacy background. Experience with GIS and statistical analysis applications highly desired. Experience supporting a policy change effort also highly desired.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – Excellent organizational and written/verbal communication skills. Ability to plan and achieve annual goals and objectives using project management frameworks. Strong facilitator and presenter comfortable building relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders. Highly adaptive and flexible. Strong work ethic and self-starter a requirement. Knowledge of standard office practices, procedures, equipment, and techniques;
Language Skills – Ability to write routine reports and correspondence; strong ability to speak effectively with colleagues and diverse stakeholder groups; ability to read, process, and synthesize large amount of information into clear and concise points.
Reasoning Ability – Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills – Experience with and knowledge of computer operation; knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.). Experience working with project management software, database applications (Access, SPPSS), GIS, and/or statistical analysis applications (STATA) highly desirable.
A strong commitment to Land Trust mission including working in dense, low-income communities of color absolutely necessary.
Other Requirements
If a private vehicle is utilized for company purposes validation of a California Class C Driver’s License, validation of driving record and approval of commercial policy insurability is required in conjunction with proof of personal minimum liability insurance coverage per the requirements of the state of California (REQUIRED).
Reference checks will be conducted. Employment is also contingent upon receipt of acceptable references (REQUIRED).
Special Requirements – When necessary, working weekends and occasional overnight travel required.
Salary and Benefits
The Policy and Research Manager position is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range for this position is $45,000-$50,000. The Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust offers competitive benefits. Salary is based on qualifications and experience.
How To ApplyApplicants should submit (1) a cover letter that includes relevant experience, achievements, salary history information, and 3-5 professional references; (2) a resume; (3) a written sample of research or policy work of which the candidate was primary author to:
Mark Glassock, Director of Special Projects: mglassock@lanlt.org
Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust 315 West 9th Street, Suite 950 Los Angeles, CA 90015 www.lanlt.org