California Policy Associate

Job Title: California Policy Associate

Department: Campaigns & Organizing

Reports To: California State Director

Who We Are:

The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) addresses the harms of drug use and drug criminalization through policy solutions, organizing, and public education. We advocate for a holistic approach to drugs that prioritizes health, social supports, and community wellbeing. DPA opposes punitive approaches that destabilize people, block access to care, and drain communities of resources. We believe that the regulation of drugs should be grounded in evidence, health, equity, and human rights. In collaboration with other movements, we change laws, advance justice, and save lives.

DPA has 40 staff across the U.S. with an annual operating budget of approximately $12 million, and 200,000 members, activists, and supporters. The organization has a solid track record of success at the local, state, and federal levels and consistent visibility in prominent media and policy circles.

Recognizing the broad reach of the drug war, DPA works across issue areas to engage more deeply with organizations and leaders in immigration, family policing, education, reproductive justice, housing, and other aligned spaces. This commitment to building power across movements and building a base contributes to and works in tandem with DPA’s work on policy and legislative change.

Learn more about working at the Drug Policy Alliance here and learn about our work to end the drug war here.

The Role:

The Policy Associate will be part of the California team, working within the Drug Policy Alliance’s Organizing and Campaigns Department to advocate for drug policy reforms throughout the state of California

The Policy Associate will be located in Sacramento and principally assist with advocacy in the California State Legislature on drug policy issues, including those related to criminal-legal system reform, civil-system reform, overdose prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery, marijuana legalization, and more. The responsibilities include tracking legislation, researching policy, creating advocacy materials, participating in and supporting coalitions and lobbying efforts on behalf of DPA.

The role may include event planning, providing administrative support, and participating in public education efforts through various media, and assisting with the management of social media channels.

The Policy Associate reports to the California State Director.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support advocacy efforts in the state legislature in coordination with California team and consultant(s).
• Develop advocacy materials, including reports, policy briefs, blog posts, opinion pieces, and social media content that are consistent with the organization’s overall mission, philosophy, and strategic plan and objectives.
• Implement strategies to achieve DPA’s core priorities, primarily at the state level in California, while assisting as needed in advocacy efforts at the county and local levels.
• Monitor emerging issues that impact DPA’s state policy agenda.
• Assist in building a statewide campaign to promote drug policies consistent with DPA’s mission, philosophy and strategic plan and objectives. Create and maintain solid relationships with diverse partners, including community-based organizations, elected officials, state agencies, coalition allies, and local DPA members.
• Represent DPA in community events, conferences, and other forums.
• Collaborate as needed with other DPA departments, such as Communications, Policy, Research, and Development, to further organizational goals and projects.

Skills and Experience:

Passion

• Strong commitment to DPA’s mission to end the war on drugs
• Demonstrated commitment to social and racial justice
• Enthusiasm and motivation to lead on cutting-edge issues
• Embrace harm reduction as a core value and principle of policies relating to substance use disorder, including treatment and recovery

Experience

• Experience engaging in public policy advocacy, legislative and/or governmental affairs, organizing campaigns, political campaigns, or ballot initiatives; criminal justice and/or public health experience preferred
• Experience building and leading coalitions in pursuit of an activist agenda with measurable results is preferred
• Familiarity with drug policy is highly preferred

Skills

• Leading and maintaining portfolio of work with minimal day-to-day supervision.
• Versatility working with diverse partners, including community-based organizations, community members/constituents, and people directly impacted by the war on drugs.
• Understanding of the California political and legislative process is preferred.
• Excellent writing and oral advocacy skills.
• Community organizing experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, creativity, curiosity, and a good sense of humor are essential.

Compensation:

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range for this position is $61,000-67,000 depending on the level of experience. Benefits for DPA staff include comprehensive health insurance and coverage (including dental and vision), 403b retirement plan with 10% employer matching contribution after completion of one-year, paid time off including 20 days of vacation, plus national holidays, sick days, organizational closure at the end of December, and year-round early dismissal on Fridays.

Location:

The California Policy Associate is a remote position, but will require in-person attendance for hearings and events in Sacramento and occasional travel within California.

Hours:

Full-time.

Terms of Employment: Travel within California and occasional national travel is expected.

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit the following two things:

1. Your resume
2. A cover letter that includes brief responses to the following prompts:

• Why do you want to work in drug policy/for the Drug Policy Alliance?
• Briefly describe one previous work experience and how it has prepared you for this role.

Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. DPA encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ethnicity, personal appearance, political affiliation, family responsibility, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction. Drug Policy Alliance is particularly interested in hiring people who have been adversely affected by the war on drugs.