Rise, a NYC parent advocacy organization, is seeking a Policy Coordinator to support Rise’s shift to community organizing to reverse NYC’s over-investment in child welfare and under-investment in communities.

This is a full-time role. All work will be remote for now because of COVID-19 but this position will be based in Rise’s NYC office when possible.

About Rise: Founded in 2005, Rise is a parent-led NYC organization whose mission is to support parents’ leadership to dismantle the child welfare system and create communities that invest in families and offer collective healing and support. Rise has a staff of 12 that is two-thirds child welfare-impacted as well as 9 part-time parent contributors. The Policy and Communications Coordinator would report to Rise’s Executive Director and work collaboratively across our programs to infuse a depth of policy expertise into all of our work. The Coordinator also will be part of Rise’s Communications Team, working closely with our executive team, development director and publications team.

Policy Coordinator Position: Rise is seeking a Policy Coordinator who is driven by a passion for Rise’s mission, vision and organizational values; has a background in child welfare and related law and policy, with legislative advocacy and community organizing a plus; and thrives working in teams in a collaborative environment. Rise invests deeply in the leadership development of staff. This is an excellent position for growth for a self-starter with a strong commitment to justice for families.

Rise’s strategic plan developed by the staff two years ago calls for a shift toward abolitionist organizing. Rise’s focus is on community investment and development of community approaches to prevent and address harm. This fall, Rise will publish a Parents’ Platform for community investment in NYC and mobilize parents around specific campaigns based on the platform. In addition, Rise will launch a parent Peer Supporter training to strengthen peer community care networks in impacted communities. To have impact, these projects must build political and philanthropic support to advance parents’ priorities. The Policy Coordinator will assist with relationship- and coalition-building to support legislative and budget advocacy at the city and state level. Rise parents frequently testify to City Council and state legislators, work on coalitions and committees, develop white papers, speak with media, and in other ways influence child welfare and aligned policy areas. The Policy Coordinator will work in tandem with Rise staff, particularly our emerging parent leaders, to respond to strategic opportunities and build the influence of parents impacted.

Rise’s Communications Team works collaboratively on fundraising, internal communication to inform staff, and media strategy to amplify parents’ perspectives. The Policy Coordinator will join this team, contributing both depth of knowledge and writing skills to this critical work at Rise.

Responsibilities

• Work in partnership with program leaders to build the policy knowledge of our teams, support development of advocacy goals and organizing campaigns and contribute to strategic planning and Rise’s shift to community organizing;
• Contribute to advancing legislation, budget advocacy and organizing campaigns;
• Work collaboratively to recognize opportunities for impact and coordinate Rise’s efforts to influence policy and the public conversation through media, testimony, white papers, etc.;
• Support emerging parent leaders representing Rise on task forces and in coalitions;
• Keep up to date on child welfare and related policy and legislation and share critical updates with staff and board, synthesizing the meaning of shifts and trends;
• Contribute policy knowledge and communication skills to fundraising, particularly in proposal writing;
• Contribute to external and internal communication of Rise’s vision and priorities, including through social media.

Qualifications

The ideal job candidate will have:

• Background in child welfare policy and law;
• Background or willingness to build depth of knowledge of legislative advocacy and community organizing;
• Excellent writing and communication skills;
• Connections to others across child welfare activism, including allies in related fields and political leadership;
• Experience serving effectively on committees, coalitions, task forces, etc.;
• Background in fundraising and/or organizational communication;
• Emerging understanding of abolition as a vision and practice and of RJ and TJ approaches;
• Passion for parent-led change, child welfare abolition and justice for impacted communities.

Compensation 

Salary range is commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits include: medical, dental and eye coverage; 4 weeks of vacation; TransitCheks, health savings and dependent savings account, etc. Rise is a partner project of the Fund for the City of New York.

To Apply

Please email a cover letter and resume to info@risemagazine.org.

Anticipated hire date: June 15 but position will remain open until it is filled. Rise values a diverse workforce and culture that centers the leadership of impacted parents. We strongly encourage applications from women and people of color as well as people with prior contact with the child welfare system.

Candidates will be contacted for virtual interviews on a rolling basis. We are unable to respond to all applications.