Policy Advocacy Manager

WHO ARE WE: California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (CRLA) is an anti-poverty law firm dedicated to dismantling unjust systems through community lawyering in California’s historically rural areas. For over five decades, we have partnered with communities priced out of private legal representation to uphold civil rights in housing, employment, health, and public education. Building on a radical legacy rooted in the farmworker movement and the War on Poverty, CRLA continues to fight for the rights and prosperity of rural Californians through bold advocacy, systemic change, and a vision of thriving, empowered communities. CRLA’s community-led legal services activate community power to achieve justice, ensuring our clients and partners have the tools to dismantle poverty, discrimination, and systemic inequities.  

• Job Title: Policy Advocacy Manager 

• Experience: 3+ years   

• Application Deadline: Open until filled  

• Location: Any CRLA Office - (Hybrid)  

• Other: FLSA Exempt, Full-Time, Non-Union Position 

Overview of Responsibilities   

The Policy Advocacy Manager will play a crucial role in advancing our organization's mission through policy research, analysis, and education across California. This position will develop evidence-based policy recommendations, create educational materials, and foster community partnerships to support our advocacy work. Specifically, the Policy Advocacy Manager will play a key role in advancing CRLA’s mission by leading the development and implementation of policy and advocacy strategies, researching crucial issues impacting CRLA client communities, and engaging with CRLA staff and community partners to promote positive and sustainable change. The Policy Advocacy Manager will work closely with leadership, legal, communications, and program teams to ensure policy initiatives align with organizational priorities and community needs.  

The ideal candidate is a self-motivated and organized collaborator who flourishes in a rich, inter-connected work environment and can simultaneously manage multiple projects and issues.  The Policy Advocacy Manager will have excellent attention to detail, demonstrate exceptionally strong oral and written communication skills, and display a commitment to advancing equity.  They will possess an understanding of and experience working with mission-driven local, state and notional organizations and community allies.   

In addition to the development of policy and advocacy strategies, this position will also engage in outreach, collaborate and advocate with multiple external partners including policy makers, and take part in state, regional, and national coalitions with partners policymakers and advocates. This position does not engage in direct lobbying activities.   

Key Responsibilities   

Research and Analysis:  

• Conduct thorough research on policy issues, legislation, and regulations affecting our focus areas and constituencies. 

• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, disparities, and potential areas for policy intervention. 

• Synthesize complex information into clear, accessible, and concise formats for various audiences. 

• Develop research methodologies and frameworks to evaluate policy impacts on underserved communities. 

• Track emerging policy issues and best practices from other states and organizations.  

Development and Education:  

• Serve as a lead staff overseeing the formulation and implementation of the organization’s policy-related activities in order to achieve long-term strategic policy goals.  

• Prepare policy briefings, position papers, comments, memos, reports to funders, advocacy letters, factsheets, internal and external communications, and other documents for use by CRLA Leadership, staff, community advocates, and the public.  

• Develop, coordinate, and direct CRLA’s policy program and assist in the development and implementation of policy agendas and strategies aligned with organizational priorities. 

• Assist legal staff in researching policy contexts and developing resources that connect legal advocacy with broader systemic issues. 

• Prepare presentations and materials for community forums, trainings, and conferences. 

• Engage with community members, stakeholders, coalition partners, and the public to gather input and share research findings. 

• Design and implement policy education programs for community members and organizational partners. 

Tracking, Monitoring, and Documentation:  

• Monitor and track relevant policy developments, administrative actions, and regulatory changes at federal, state, and local levels. 

• Provide regular updates and assessments on policy developments in all organizational focus areas, including employment, housing, education, health access, and others. 

• Draft policy analyses and educational materials explaining regulatory changes and their potential impacts. 

• Create and track metrics to evaluate the progress of policy advocacy activities and provide key feedback or interventions to ensure effective execution.   

• Develop and ensure effective implementation of identified policy components annual workplans, deliverables, benchmarks and timelines, including collection of data necessary to complete required reports and updates.  

• Create and maintain policy tracking systems and databases.  

Communication and Outreach:  

• Develop and maintain relationships with policy researchers, academic institutions, community organizations, and other stakeholders. 

• Prepare and deliver presentations and training materials for diverse audiences. 

• Develop and oversee content related to policy research and education for social media channels. 

• Create and maintain website materials related to policy objectives, research findings, and community education initiatives. 

• Represent the organization at community forums, conferences, and coalition meetings.  

Project Management and Collaboration 

• In partnership with the Office of General Counsel and the Leadership Team, lead the development and ongoing assessment and adaptation of strategies, campaigns, and tactics to support organizational goals.  

• Coordinate with program teams to integrate policy research into their work. 

• Manage policy-related projects from conception through implementation and evaluation. 

• Cultivate and maintain collaborative relationships with external partners including research institutions, community-based organizations, and policy centers. 

• Support grant writing and reporting related to policy initiatives. 

• Collaborate with legal and communications teams to develop integrated advocacy strategies. 

Required Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, law, social work, or related field 

• 3-5 years of experience in policy analysis, research, or related field  

• Oral and written proficiency in English is required for this role 

• Strong research and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills  

• Demonstrated ability to translate technical policy information into accessible formats  

• Experience working with diverse communities and stakeholders  

• Strong project management skills and attention to detail  

• Proficiency with data analysis tools and research methodologies 

• Expertise in Word, Excel, Microsoft applications, online databases and California legislative portals 

• Strong communication skills with ability to translate complex policy concepts to various stakeholders 

• Passion for legal services, mission-driven organizations, and a commitment to serving underrepresented communities 

• Residence in the State of California, and regular in-person attendance at community meetings and events, permitted legislative advocacy, and at CRLA-related meetings and retreats 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in public policy, law, social work, or related field 

• Experience working in a legal services organization or non-profit setting 

• Knowledge of California's policy landscape related to our focus areas 

• Proficiency in one or more languages relevant to CRLA client communities  

• Experience with participatory research methods and community engagement 

• Background in one or more of our key issue areas (housing, employment, education, health access) 

• Experience developing policy education materials for diverse audiences 

• Demonstrated commitment to social justice and equity 

Compensation & Benefits:  

We offer a diverse, family-friendly environment and compensation based on competitive public interest salaries; this position has a salary range of $77,000-$106,000 (placement in the range is primarily determined by years of related experience). Generous benefits package includes 100% employer-covered medical, dental, vision, life, and short & long-term disability insurance for employees and up to 50% for dependent coverage. A 401K retirement plan with a CRLA contribution is effective immediately. The generous paid leave policy includes; 15 days of sick leave, 15 holidays each year, and vacation (accrue 15 days for the first year of service and 20 days after one year of service at CRLA).  

CRLA requires that all employees be Fully Vaccinated, defined as a CDC-approved COVID vaccination and one booster shot. This offer is contingent on meeting this requirement. The complete vaccination policy, including the process for reasonable allowable accommodations, is available for your review upon request.  

Application:  

CRLA invites you to submit your resume and cover letter.  At your discretion, you may also include a statement about how your unique background and/or experiences might contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and legal services practice.  

California Rural Legal Assistance thrives on our diversity, and we are proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a culturally diverse workplace and strongly encourage women, persons of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, veterans, persons with disabilities, and persons from other underrepresented groups to apply.