Policy Coordinator

About the National Youth Employment Coalition

NYEC (National Youth Employment Coalition) is a national membership network representing hundreds of workforce-development organizations and tens of thousands direct service professionals and young people. NYEC’s membership is primarily composed of direct-service organizations, and includes workforce development boards and other intermediaries, research organizations, and national nonprofits. NYEC works to improve the effectiveness of all organizations that serve young people aged 14-26 who are out of school and out of work, or opportunity youth (OY). NYEC sets and promotes quality standards; tracks, crafts, and influences policy; provides and supports professional development; and builds the capacity of organizations and programs. For 46 years, NYEC has been central to the youth workforce system as a convener, policy and advocacy lead, training and technical assistance provider, and builder of youth leadership nationally. As a membership organization, we track and shape changing practices within our industry, and employers in the industry.

Our Principles

Our efforts are guided by principles that reflect the needs of today’s young people.

Center Race and Gender Equity: Policies and programs must focus on race and gender explicitly, prioritize people of color for services, and be driven by people with lived experience.

Expand Opportunities for the Most Vulnerable: Policies must prioritize youth and young adults facing the most barriers to employment, adopt performance measures that encourage serving these young people, and reflect our deeper understanding of the effects of trauma.

Invest in Capacity Building and Local Decision-Making: Funders should provide sufficient resources to support strong local conveners or intermediaries, thriving local service ecosystems, and a healthy workforce of youth-serving professionals.

Co-Design Solutions with Young People: Youth voice and building youth leadership are at the heart of positive youth workforce development efforts. With training, support, and compensation, young people can be invaluable contributors and co-designers of programs and policies.

Prepare the Next Generation of Leaders: We must train and support a new generation of leaders. Additional resources are needed not only to expand services for the young people, but also to hire, train, and refine the work of the adults who deliver youth employment programming.

Summary

The National Youth Employment Coalition (NYEC) seeks a driven individual for a Policy Coordinator position. This is a full-time, hybrid position. The Policy Coordinator must be available for regular meetings in the Washington, DC, area and be present in our DC office 2-3 days a week. The ideal applicant will be a curious and creative advocate for marginalized young adults, with experience doing the day-to-day work of policy advocacy. Candidates who come from a communications background will also have a set of skills desirable for this position.

With support and guidance from the Senior Advisor for Federal Policy, the Policy Coordinator will help lead NYEC’s efforts to connect young people and the professionals who serve them with decision-makers and advance NYEC’s policy agenda. They will remain in constant communication with key allies in the legislative and executive branches, help organize advocacy days for NYEC members and allies, and support internal and external coalitions and committees. They will assist with crafting communications, planning policy events and training, and building relationships with NYEC’s wide array of stakeholders. Applicants with lived experience of disconnection from school or work, or with job-training programs, are especially encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Help drive the implementation of NYEC’s policy agenda, primarily focused on federal efforts with support to state and local efforts.
• Develop and contribute to a range of advocacy and communications materials, including policy priority plans, weekly policy updates, NYEC’s monthly newsletter, toolkits, blog posts, talking points, visualizations, and reports.
• Serve as a primary contact for legislative- and executive-branch staff to support NYEC’s policy agenda, including the Bipartisan Opportunity Youth Caucus.
• Track relevant policy topics, including workforce development, education, juvenile justice, homelessness, and national service.
• Track and maintain updated mapping of both chambers of Congress (Members and staffers) and key staff positions within the administration.
• Support NYEC’s contribution to and leadership of coalitions and steering committees.
• Support efforts to collect and evaluate the effectiveness of the NYEC advocacy efforts.
• Contribute to grant proposals and reports to funders.
• Staff NYEC’s Policy Committee, composed of practitioners and young people drawn from NYEC’s membership.
• Assist in the organization of NYEC advocacy days and annual convenings.
• Facilitate advocacy related workshops and provide related content within NYEC’s convenings and workshop series.
• Occasionally assist with travel and event logistics, communications, and administrative duties.

Qualifications:

• 0-2 years of experience in policy, communications, advocacy, and political campaigns (including internships).
• Strong desire to learn about the federal policy and advocacy processes and contribute to advancing policies that support young people.
• Skilled writer who can communicate persuasively in policy papers, emails, talking points, and social media posts.
• Possesses strong organization and time management skills, to manage varied and changing responsibilities.
• Knowledge and experience with youth workforce development, youth ecosystems, juvenile justice systems, opportunity youth and other NYEC priorities.
• Familiarity or experience with policy advocacy, especially at the federal level, and the capacity to analyze legislative and regulatory provisions and assess policy options.
• Proven ability to build and grow relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Is committed to racial equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice work.
• Can travel as needed.
• Lives in the Washington, DC, area or is willing to move to the area within three months of taking the role. Note: We hope that candidates will be able to interview in-person at a later stage of the interview process.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $45,000-$65,000 per year and will be commensurate with experience. NYEC offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including health and dental insurance coverage; a 403(b)-retirement plan that includes a guaranteed employer contribution; and five weeks of combined vacation time and sick leave.

Working Environment

The Policy Coordinator is a full-time, hybrid position. The Policy Coordinator will work in NYEC’s office 2-3 days a week and may work remotely the other days of the week. NYEC values a diverse workforce and provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all to employees and applicants for employment and prohibits unlawful discrimination and unlawful harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability status, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or any other protected classes or categories as defined by federal, state or local laws.

To Apply

Please complete this Jotform and upload a resume, professional writing sample (3 pages or fewer preferred), 3 references, and a cover letter describing your interest in transforming policy and systems that affect Opportunity Youth. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis and will close on December 3, 2024, with priority given to those who apply earlier.