Director of Policy and Government Affairs

Position Objective: To lead JCRC’s engagement efforts with elected and government officials and advance JCRC’s policy objectives through education, relationship building, advocacy and lobbying

Reporting/Supervision: This position reports directly to the Senior Director of Government Affairs (J. Mintzer)

Primary Responsibilities

Cultivate Relationships with Elected Officials and Government Leaders (50%)

• Lead efforts to cultivate and steward relationships with state and local elected officials including state legislators, county supervisors, mayors, councilmembers, district attorneys, and others
• Plan and execute engagement and educational activities with elected leaders including trainings, community programs, stakeholder meeting, speaking opportunities, and other programs that connect officials with the Jewish community
• Attend community, political and nonprofit events and programs on behalf of JCRC
• Develop resources, talking points, email alerts and other written materials to assist elected officials in advancement of JCRC’s objectives and positions

Lead Public Policy and Lobbying Efforts (25%)

• In consultation with Senior Director of Jewish Affairs, develop annual policy objectives and execute plan to advance state and local legislation in alignment with organizational consensus statements and strategic plan
• Conduct policy advocacy activities such as legislative drafting/analysis, direct lobbying, constituent meeting, public testimony, positions papers, grassroots advocacy, and public communication
• Oversee the JCRC Public Policy Committee, an advisory body responsible for JCRC policy proposals, as well as the review, analysis, support and advocacy of state and local legislation.
• Serve as JCRC policy expert and serve as primary policy liaison with JCRC staff, Jewish community, and civic partners.

Oversee Bay Area Network of Jewish Elected Officials (BANJO) (15%)

• Plan and execute innovative programs and events to support the networking and educational needs of BANJO, such as retreats, webinars, seminars, happy hours, etc
• Strengthen BANJO by recruiting new members, creating a robust alumni program, supporting cohort leaders, and engaging non-Jewish elected leaders as allies
• Create resources and opportunities to support members in their work as local officials

Organize annual Israel Trip (10%)

• In partnership with the Senior Director of External Affairs, organize, plan, and execute annual educational trips to Israel for elected and community leaders to learn about Jewish identity, Jewish connection to Israel, and Israeli society
• Oversee administration with support staff  (participant registration, cohort communications, flight management, trip surveys, post trip reports and other coordination.)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; graduate degree in public policy, public administration, business administration, nonprofit management, or similar field preferred.
• Four to eight years’ relationship building experience in state or local politics, government affairs, political campaigns, lobbying/advocacy, community relations, or similar fields.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of state/local legislative and lobbying process
• Strong communication skills and an ability to communicate complicated information into digestible material for public consumption
• Knowledge of Jewish identity, Jewish history and religions practices, experiences with antisemitism, and connection to Israel
• Knowledge of the Bay Area Jewish community and local political landscape preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interface with people from varied backgrounds in a professional manner on the phone, via email and in person
• Availability for evening meetings/events and willingness to travel on occasion