POLICY & RESEARCH ANALYST I POLITICAL VOICE

*(This is an initial hybrid position which may convert to a remote work-from-home position.) Applicant must be able to commute to the Los Angeles office.

Organizational Background

Catalyst California (formerly known as Advancement Project California) advocates for racial justice by building power and transforming public systems. We partner with communities of color, conduct innovative research, develop policies for actionable change, and shift money and power back into our communities. Rooted in the historic struggle for racial and economic equality, Catalyst California envisions a world where systems are designed for justice and support equitable access to resources and opportunities for all Californians to thrive. Our primary programs are Educational Equity, Equity in Community Investments, Political Voice, and Reimagine Justice & Safety.

Position Summary

Political Voice works to make state and local governments more participatory and representative of the communities they serve. Our goal is that all community members are able to genuinely participate in the making of effective public policy in ways that go beyond just voting and that governments respond equitably to community concerns. To accomplish this goal, we advocate for racially and economically just democracy reforms.

The Policy & Research Analyst I will report to the Senior Manager of Political Voice and will, in partnership with community-based organizations and government offices, support local advocacy campaigns across the state to eliminate racial and economic disparities in political participation and government responsiveness.

The successful applicant must have a strong, demonstrated commitment to social and racial justice, strong research, writing, and communication skills, the ability to engage with a variety of stakeholders, including community-based organizations, low-income communities of color, and government officials, and have a passion for strengthening the political power of underrepresented communities in our democracy.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• · A strong focus on democracy reform in the City of Los Angeles, government responsiveness to racial equity, and emerging state legislative priorities and/or electoral work.
• · Tracking and analyzing public policies and administrative practices that expand opportunities for political participation and enhance government responsiveness, particularly in low-income communities of color.
• · Supporting coalition efforts, including coordination and logistics of meetings, events, and/or actions, to address disparities in political participation and government responsiveness.
• · Enhancing Political Voice’s internal coordination and cross programmatic collaboration.
• · Providing logistical support for policy campaigns and initiatives to improve political participation, government responsiveness, and/or advance legislative and electoral systems reform.
• · Ability to conduct policy analysis, research (qualitative/quantitative), and synthesizing complex information/data for policy, planning, and advocacy agendas related to public engagement, government responsiveness, and/or legislative and electoral systems reform.
• · Preparing and drafting materials for advocacy campaigns, including toolkits, letters, presentations, policy briefs, reports, emails, etc.
• · Participating in meetings with community stakeholders, relevant government staff, and political leadership, including playing supportive roles during meetings (i.e., notetaking, timekeeping, co-facilitating, etc.).
• · Participating in organization-wide planning, development, and communications activities, as needed, and ensure adherence to Catalyst California’s goals and policies within the project area.
• · Supporting project implementation for current and emerging cross-programmatic efforts.
• · Serving as liaison with community-based organizations and coalitions.
• · Staying apprised of developments related to state and local policy and advocacy efforts.
• · Providing support and contribute ideas in team strategic brainstorming sessions.
• · Other duties as assigned dependent on organizational needs and employee skills.
• · Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in public policy, law, or the social sciences preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential job duties may be considered.
• · 2-4 years of experience in civil rights and social justice, public policy, inside government, labor, community-based policy advocacy, and/or organizing (including summer or short-term internships).
• · Experience working in the democracy reform field. Experience with engaging/advocacy of LA or other local government jurisdictions, and/or state legislative advocacy, preferred.
• · Experience working with community partners (e.g. families, youth, local residents, community organizations, labor, coalitions, etc.) and civil rights organizations, including experience building and working in coalitions, especially multiracial coalitions.
• · Sincere and demonstrated commitment to advancing social and racial justice progress for the highest-need communities.
• · Passion and commitment to creating an equitable and effective multiracial democracy through the reform of processes like redistricting, seat expansion of local jurisdictions, government responsiveness to racial equity, among others.
• · Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills – experience translating technical analyses into compelling advocacy messages are especially preferred.
• · Demonstrated familiarity and confidence with reviewing and analyzing data and statistics on political participation and government responsiveness from a variety of sources preferred.
• · Proven ability to work with diverse communities, leaders, and staff.
• · Demonstrated experience in organizing large-scale events.
• · Strong writing and editing skills.
• · Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• · Self-starter, organized, analytical, and detail oriented.
• · Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• · Demonstrated ability to work in a small team setting.
• · Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to execute projects on time and on-budget.
• · Flexibility to adjust and contribute to continually evolving work situations and changing priorities.
• · Good computer skills, proficient with MS Office applications.
• · Bilingual English-Spanish is a plus.
• · Must be able to travel locally and statewide.
• · Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• · Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times
• · Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits with an affordable employee contribution for spouses and/or dependents, including registered Domestic Partners.
• · 403B retirement plan with employer matching benefits after 90 days.
• · Flexible Spending Account for eligible employees to allocate pre-tax money throughout the year.
• · Yearly professional development allowance and personalized professional development goals.
• · 15 vacation days, 6 personal days, 8 sick days, and 2 weeks paid parental leave along with national and office holidays.
• · Organizational and team wellness days to help build team cohesion and camaraderie.
• · Opportunity to see the meaning and impact of your work at an organization that is actively building more equitable communities and systems across California.
• · Opportunity to work in a flexible work culture that is sensitive to employee wellbeing and encourages work life balance.
• · Opportunity to work in a company dedicated to pay equity and a diverse work culture.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function assigned satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education and Experience

• · Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in public policy, law, or the social sciences preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential job duties may be considered.
• · 2-4 years of experience in civil rights and social justice, public policy, inside government, labor, community-based policy advocacy, and/or organizing (including summer or short-term internships).
• · Experience working in the democracy reform field. Experience with engaging/advocacy of LA or other local government jurisdictions, and/or state legislative advocacy, preferred.
• · Experience working with community partners (e.g. families, youth, local residents, community organizations, labor, coalitions, etc.) and civil rights organizations, including experience building and working in coalitions, especially multiracial coalitions.
• · Sincere and demonstrated commitment to advancing social and racial justice progress for the highest-need communities.
• · Passion and commitment to creating an equitable and effective multiracial democracy through the reform of processes like redistricting, seat expansion of local jurisdictions, government responsiveness to racial equity, among others.

Candidate Profile, Skills, and Abilities

• · Strong interpersonal, communication, facilitation, and presentation skills – experience translating technical analyses into compelling advocacy messages are especially preferred.
• · Demonstrated familiarity and confidence with reviewing and analyzing data and statistics on political participation and government responsiveness from a variety of sources preferred.
• · Proven ability to work with diverse communities, leaders, and staff.
• · Demonstrated experience in organizing large-scale events.
• · Strong writing and editing skills.
• · Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• · Self-starter, organized, analytical, and detail oriented.
• · Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• · Demonstrated ability to work in a small team setting.
• · Excellent organizational skills with demonstrated ability to execute projects on time and on-budget.
• · Flexibility to adjust and contribute to continually evolving work situations and changing priorities.
• · Good computer skills, proficient with MS Office applications.
• · Bilingual English-Spanish is a plus.
• · Must be able to travel locally and statewide.

Physical Requirements

• · Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• · Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times

Benefits, Perks & Work Environment

• · Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits with an affordable employee contribution for spouses and/or dependents, including registered Domestic Partners.
• · 403B retirement plan with employer matching benefits after 90 days.
• · Flexible Spending Account for eligible employees to allocate pre-tax money throughout the year.
• · Yearly professional development allowance and personalized professional development goals.
• · 15 vacation days, 6 personal days, 8 sick days, and 2 weeks paid parental leave along with national and office holidays.
• · Organizational and team wellness days to help build team cohesion and camaraderie.
• · Opportunity to see the meaning and impact of your work at an organization that is actively building more equitable communities and systems across California.
• · Opportunity to work in a flexible work culture that is sensitive to employee wellbeing and encourages work life balance.
• · Opportunity to work in a company dedicated to pay equity and a diverse work culture.

Salary

In the spirit of pay transparency, we are excited to share the base salary range for this position is $62,500 - $72,500. If you are hired at Catalyst California, your final salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills, education, and/or experience. In addition to those factors – we believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as a part of any final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the full salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary growth.