Policy Associate

Asian Solidarity Collective (ASC) is a grassroots organization in San Diego whose mission is to activate Asian American social justice consciousness, condemn anti-Blackness, and build Asian solidarity intersectionally with Black, Brown and Indigenous folks, people with disabilities, queer and trans people of color, and all oppressed communities.
Our work includes political education, community building, and collective action.
ASC’s newly launched office and community space, The Asian Advocacy Community & Action Center (also known as “The Action Center”) is a movement and power-building community center in San Diego that moves people into action to create profound radical, sustainable and fundamental change in the world through organizing and community care.
Asian Solidarity Collective functions collaboratively as a program with The Asian Advocacy, Community & Action Center (TAC) in which TAC’s work includes civic engagement & policy, education, advocacy, direct services and transformative leadership development.
Asian Solidarity Collective (ASC) is a grassroots organization in San Diego whose mission is to activate Asian American social justice consciousness, condemn anti-Blackness, and build Asian solidarity intersectionally with Black, Brown and Indigenous folks, people with disabilities, queer and trans people of color, and all oppressed communities.
Our work includes political education, community building, and collective action.
ASC’s newly launched office and community space, The Asian Advocacy Community & Action Center (also known as “The Action Center”) is a movement and power-building community center in San Diego that moves people into action to create profound radical, sustainable and fundamental change in the world through organizing and community care.
Asian Solidarity Collective functions collaboratively as a program with The Asian Advocacy, Community & Action Center (TAC) in which TAC’s work includes civic engagement & policy, education, advocacy, direct services and transformative leadership development.
We are currently hiring a temporary full-time Policy Associate (PA) to advance ASC’s mission and implement ASC’s community organizing priorities.
Under the supervision of ASC/TAC’s Executive Director, the Policy Associate will have a lead role in establishing and executing on a clear, bold and impactful policy agenda for Asian Solidarity Collective and The Asian Advocacy, Community & Action Center.
The Policy Associate will be activated on building relationships and strive for collective action for economic, social, racial and gender justice.
The PA will play an integral role in shaping important policy decisions and actions across a wide range of issues including ASC/TAC’s main issue areas of mass incarceration, public health/mental health, racial justice, civil rights, surveillance and immigration.
This position is new to ASC/TAC and was created to provide left of center policy development, examine and determine existing city-to-county and state wide policies, and recommend improvements to city-to-county and state programs.
Overall, this position is pivotal to the landscape of San Diego as it will be a part of developing policy analysis, solutions and campaigns to impact systemic change to all of whom ASC/TAC serves.
The ideal candidate will be a driven policy professional who has outstanding strategist, project management, collaboration skills, able to integrate complex ideas and knowledge, learn quickly, devise communication, and share information productively, providing research and inquiry promptly.
The Policy Associate will be involved in advancing many aspects of ASC/TAC’s work, including educational and campaign programs that promote and pushes ASC/TAC’s mission and policy objectives; building and strengthening relationships with members of ASC/TAC’s network; strengthening and identifying new partnerships with other relevant organizations; and will have an exciting opportunity to help shape the overall strategy for ASC/TAC’s next phase of growth.
In addition, this role will develop political engagement strategy - identifying key stakeholders, developing talking points, maintaining an understanding of relevant policy and progress to inform engagements including strategizing on working with key elected officials who should champion the policies that ASC/TAC’s takes lead on and/or develops.
The PA will also be responsible for communicating policy agenda priorities to the communities ASC/TAC serves in partnership with the current staff.
They will oversee and lead development of briefings, educational series, toolkits and one-pagers, etc to support ongoing learning and dissemination across the community.
The Policy Associate that works for Asian Solidarity Collective and The Action Center will be able to function in a grassroots organizing setting, while appreciating ASC’s dream of abundance practices.
Position Location: San Diego, CA _(Office/Center is located in Chula Vista, CA)_ Reports to: Executive Director *Job Responsibilities *may include but are not limited to the following: *Policy, Policy Development & Legislative Research (45 %)* * Working with the Executive Director to develop ASC/TAC’s policy development on the city, county and state level.
Drive ASC/TAC’s collaborative and sporadic internal policy development process, with significant attention to posing strategic open questions, producing and incorporating key insights from across multiple ASC/TAC staff, members and community partners, and employing excellent project management skills to develop clear and impactful policy proposals.
* Conduct thorough policy research while ensuring that ASC/TAC policy concepts are informed by sound research through identifying and analyzing relevant previously passed policies and utilizing them to develop clear concise integrated summaries to progress an internal ASC/TAC awareness of the policy landscape we are operating within.
Research policies, develop and make recommendations related for specific prioritized campaigns and department/committee/project priorities, particularly concerning low and moderate-income BIPOC communities.
* Gather external insights and identify opportunities for ASC/TAC campaigns and policies.
In collaboration with the Executive Director and other ASC/TAC staff who frequently engage externally, systematically and strategically gather input from key local, regional and state level stakeholders on existing related policies and identify new strategic opportunities.
* Educate, and create education materials on policies and campaigns included draft charts, maps, infographics, and other collateral on research findings and trends for use by various stakeholders.
* Closely follow legislative and policy meetings, and report on timelines and details *Advocacy (45%)* * Plan and execute advocacy and community outreach strategies including grassroot and community activation * Participate in, represent at relevant events including participating in hearings, coalition meetings, panel discussions, roundtables, press conferences and rallies * Curate external panels and convenings including coordinating ASC/TAC’s first local Asian American policy summit in San Diego.
* Co-Lead/Co-Support a committee/team on a campaign that is designed through a policy developed and researched by you and your team.
* Lead education efforts for ASC members and overall community members around relevant program or function activities, ie preparation for meetings, town halls, briefings etc.
* Work with staff to ensure participation in advocacy work * Engage members in ongoing advocacy priorities, campaigns and opportunities * Base Build and develop relationships with ASC/TAC members and overall community * Maintain relationships with and understand the needs of ASC/TAC’s constituency of neighborhood-based, not-for-profit organizations.
*ASC Organizing Team Support (10%)* * Maintain an organizing database to track community members, potential organizers, supporters, volunteers, and events, and use data to identify strategic ways to engage supporters.
* Cultivate key relationships and partnerships with community leaders and community-based organizations in ASC’s network.
* Support in organizing and/or direct actions * Conduct regular 1-1s and propositions to base contacts to become members of ASC towards building power.
* Identify, develop, and proposition community members and active members to become transformative leaders and join an ASC committee.
* Supervise a Committee Advisor of an ASC Committee * Support Staff and Programming in ASC organizational priorities including but not limited to: ASC’s civic engagement initiatives and programs (including census, voter registration, phone banking, canvassing, voter education, and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) initiatives in San Diego), ASC’s Committees programs and events, ASC’s events and more.
* Create educational outreach material, toolkits, fact sheets and more on ASC’s campaigns and advocacy priorities.
* Create presentations and facilitate meetings, discussions and workshops * actions in San Diego.
* Contribute to monthly newsletters, fundraising campaigns, and general organizational activities * Represent ASC’s strategy and values in all internal and external activities * Follow ASC’s procedures, policies and work practices * Hand in all reports in timely manner * Assist in administrative and operational duties.
* Additional projects, duties and tasks as assigned.
*Required Skills and Qualifications* * Minimum 2-3 year experience and/or demonstrated interest in policy and/or government affairs * Minimum 2-3 years experience and/or demonstrated interest in not-for-profit, or grassroots community organizing * Minimum 2-3 years of experience and/or demonstrated interest in research, legislative tracking, policy analysis and development, electoral and advocacy campaign planning and project management.
* Demonstrated record of sound political judgment * Minimum of 2-3 years experience and/or demonstrated interest in event and/or program coordination * Minimum of five years of community organizing experience and/or demonstrated interest in activism and support for community members.
* Minimum of 2-3 year experience of staff leadership, building a team, and providing cross departmental leadership * Expertise and understanding of government partnerships and systems, ecosystem building and partnership development subject matter knowledge of public health, surveillance, mass incarceration, immigration, and reentry services a plus.
* Expertise leading and tackling multiple facets of government contracts and projects including program management, compliance, programmatic and fiscal reporting, marketing and outreach, providing technical assistance, etc.
* Significant experience in public speaking to large audiences, research and analytical skills * Experience writing in numerous formats including presentations, advocacy documents, and reports * Excellent communication skills with the ability to provide analysis and explanations of technical policies in both written and oral format * Two years experience and/or demonstrated interest in working with an organization serving working class communities of color, especially in San Diego and/or advocacy for own lived experience * Experience and/or interest in operating in and/or organizing Asian communities.
* Experience with and/or demonstrated interest in learning base building and leadership development * Experience with and/or demonstrated interest in learning how to develop and implement political education and leadership development plans and curriculum * Experience in other base building, organizing and/or movement organizations * Willingness to work additional hours including volunteer hours to meet organizing initiatives * Strong ability to develop work plans, manage budgets, set deadlines, oversee multiple projects and duties simultaneously, and prioritize assignments * Excellent, well-developed verbal and writing skills are essential * Ideal applicants will be efficient, results-oriented with high energy and exhibit an exceptional ability to work with others * A valid drivers license and reliable transportation is required * Must have access to quality wi-fi at home for occasional remote working.
* Knowledge and experience working with and/or willingness to learn MS Office and Google programs, fast computer skills, * Experience navigating between office and virtual settings.
* Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and some weekends * Able to travel up to 20% of the time for work purposes (with COVID-19 precautions).
*Preferred Qualifications* * Non-profit and/or grassroots organization experience is preferred.
* Justice involved and/or people with lived experiences is preferred.
* Commitment to racial equity and comfort applying a racial equity lens to policy and advocacy work as well as to interpersonal professional interactions and relationships.
* Detailed knowledge about, and/or connections to, reentry services providers, including those assisting with housing, case management, employment services, family reunification, transportation, communication skills/resources, education, and basic needs.
* Strong commitment to ASC's mission and core values * Experience or familiarity and willingness to work with Asian American folks, communities of color, im/migrant communities, youth, students, and/or people whose first or only language is other than English; especially in San Diego.
* Ability to work collaboratively with ASC and externally with disabled, multi-ethnic, multi-racial, LGBTQ2IA+ communities, * Bilingual and bi-literate in English and any of the following languages: Burmese, Chinese, Hindi, Khmer, Korean, Laotian, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and/or additional languages is a plus.
* Experience in planning grassroots and policy campaigns & advocacy at the local and state level through legislation, changes in government policy and ballot measures is a plus.
* Strong and demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice issues * Capacity to motivate, agitate, laugh with, capture, and move groups of people toward a common vision * Ability to challenge others and a willingness to be challenged * Ability to build consensus and effectively manage conflict * Self-Starter and ability to perform under pressure in a fast-paced flexible environment and meet deadlines * Flexible and ability to adapt to learning new ideas and concepts, responding to changes and last minute requests from partners or policy makers.
* Will do what it takes to support participants, even if that means diverging from the original plan.
* Sets personal ego and judgment aside; genuinely curious and asks questions before making a decision or judgment * Able to make important decision under conditions of ambiguity and imperfect information; able to identify and evaluate complicated trade-offs * Continuously uses feedback and embodies a growth mindset to improve work product and personal development; confident in giving and receiving feedback to other team members.
* Strong advocate: Ability to fight for others unapologetically; willingness to learn, ask questions, and discern the most strategic way to advocate for participants and staff * Acts with integrity at all times; transparent and direct, yet approachable and supportive; operates with accountability what they know to be right at all times.
* Motivates others by leading by example; builds authentic relationships; strong emotional intelligence; provides clear expectations and feedback; coaching rather than directive * Open minded and considers alternative perspectives; recognizes assumptions, evaluates evidence, and seeks to understand before making a decision; mindful of political and positional power differences.
* Ability to work independently, think creatively, and prioritize multiple projects * Excellent listening, oral, and written communication skills * Willingness to be a part of an ongoing learning culture.
* Knowledge and/or willingness to practice restorative practices, transformative justice, and abolition approaches.
*Physical Requirements:* The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
Accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing this position the employee is regularly required to operate a personal computer on a desk for many hours at a time, to communicate in-person, on a phone and/or webcam for multiple hours per day.
The employee is occasionally required to lift and/or move paperworks, files and other objects of up to 20 pounds.
The employee must be able to maneuver in various sites and public venues.
Reliable transportation for local travel is required.
Despite California’s movement towards herd immunity, low case rates, etc, the COVID-19 pandemic still exists at large.
We have a responsibility to provide working conditions that mitigate any direct threat to the health and safety of our employees and others affiliated with Asian Solidarity Collective and The Asian Advocacy, Community & Action Center and the broader community.
ASC/TAC has adopted a COVID-19 vaccination policy to safeguard the health and well-being of our employees.
As a condition of employment, all ASC/TAC employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
ASC/TAC will consider requests for reasonable accommodations from the vaccine requirement for employees who request them because of disability, pregnancy, childbirth, religious beliefs or observances, or other accommodations as required by law.
Our COVID-19 vaccination policy will adapt as we continue to review our obligations under federal, state and local laws.
*Compensation * Asian Solidarity Collective and The Asian Advocacy, Community & Action Center are committed to practicing salary transparency as we offer a competitive salary based on the organization’s compensation philosophy and is grounded in market data.
The salary for this position is $70,000.
Through our fiscal sponsor, ASC/TAC can offer 100% coverage of health insurance and dental insurance for yourself, 15 paid vacation days per year (for the first 3 years and then it increases), 12 paid sick days and an IRA retirement benefit with up to 3% match.
ASC/TAC offers a hybrid work mode and flexible work arrangements.
*Duration * The position is open until filled.
Position is temporary as it will end 1 year post from hiring.
If additional funding is acquired, this position could lead to a permanent position with the organization.
*To Apply* Interested applicants are invited to email a cover letter explaining your interest and fit for the position, resume, and three references to admin@asiansolidaritycollective.
org.
The deadline to apply is 5:00 pm on April 5, 2024.
_The Asian Solidarity Collective is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
We especially encourage women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ2IA+ folks to apply.
_ Job Type: Full-time Pay: $70,000.
00 per year Benefits: * Dental insurance * Flexible schedule * Health insurance * Paid time off * Parental leave * Vision insurance Schedule: * Choose your own hours * Monday to Friday * On call * Weekends as needed Experience: * Policy Associate: 2 years (Preferred) * nonprofit: 3 years (Preferred) * Community Organizer: 3 years (Preferred) * Research: 3 years (Preferred) Ability to Commute: * Chula Vista, CA 91910 (Required) Ability to Relocate: * Chula Vista, CA 91910: Relocate before starting work (Required) Willingness to travel: * 25% (Required) Work Location: In person