Statewide Policy Coordinator

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:  California Youth Connection (CYC) was founded in 1988 by foster youth and adult supporters. It has evolved into a vibrant statewide youth leadership, advocacy, and training organization with county-based chapters throughout California, four satellite offices, and a budget close to $2.1 million. CYC empowers and educates current and former foster youth, providing them with leadership and advocacy opportunities to be the lead agents of change for system improvements throughout the state through legislative, policy, and practice change.

We believe outstanding people are the key to our success.  As an equal opportunity employer, we recruit individuals without regard to membership in any protected class, including, but not limited to, race, national origin, religion, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, prior conviction, arrest history, disability, marital status, veteran status, or age.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Statewide Policy Coordinator, under general supervision, plays a pivotal role in CYC’s success by advocating for and supporting the policy goals and vision of the CYC membership through policy, practice, and legislative change. This role is essential in creating a framework that develops youth leaders and ensures that the organization’s advocacy and policy agenda are youth-led. The Coordinator will focus on equipping young people with the necessary skills and competencies to advocate effectively for themselves and their peers.

This role emphasizes the establishment of effective listening practices and feedback loops that encourage deep listening and critical analysis. The coordinator will synthesize insights gathered from diverse stakeholders, transforming them into actionable and impactful policies that genuinely serve the interests of foster youth.

The Statewide Policy Coordinator is expected to possess a profound understanding of youth-led advocacy, which includes recognizing and empowering the unique perspectives and experiences of young people in the policy-making process. This understanding extends to leadership development, focusing on equipping youth with the skills and confidence necessary to take the lead in advocacy efforts. Additionally, a comprehensive knowledge of child welfare policy is crucial, enabling the Coordinator to navigate and influence the systems that affect foster youth.

By fostering an environment of open communication and collaboration, the Coordinator will ensure that the voices and experiences of those impacted by policies are integral to the decision-making process. This role also highlights the Coordinator’s responsibility to ensure that internal and external stakeholders grasp the essential expertise and ethical framework required to develop effective and impactful policies that prioritize the needs and rights of foster youth. The focus will remain on skill-building and empowerment, aligning with the organization’s nonprofit status and commitment to youth leadership.

WORK LOCATION AND CONDITIONS: This is a hybrid California-based position that will involve working remotely from home, in the field in the Sacramento area, and at various meeting and conference locations throughout California, which will be scheduled between the employee and the Statewide Legislative and Policy Manager.  Regular work hours are from Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.  Some weekend and evening work will be required.

CLASSIFICATION: The Statewide Policy Coordinator is a full-time, non-exempt employee of CYC, is employed at-will, and reports directly to the Statewide Legislative Policy Manager.  As a non-exempt employee, the Statewide Policy Coordinator must receive pre-approval in writing to work more than 40 hours in any given week and 8 hours in any given day.  As an employee of CYC, the Statewide Policy Coordinator is subject to the policies and procedures outlined in the Employee Handbook.

RATE OF PAY:  The Statewide Policy Coordinator is a non-exempt salaried position and receives a salary of $62,400 annually, with an overtime rate based on $30 per hour.  

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Statewide Policy Advocacy & Implementation

• Network, build relationships, and engage with policy stakeholders whose work aligns with CYC’s youth-led policy platform and goals.
• Develop toolkits, fact sheets, and other educational materials to engage and empower youth ages 14 to 24 on relevant policies, laws, and governing structures.

Youth Leadership Development Cohort

• Recruit, engage, and oversee a cohort of young people interested in engaging in policy work, fostering their leadership and advocacy skills throughout the year.
• Develop a year-long calendar of activities and curriculum that aligns CYC’s policy work with the overall leadership development needs of the organization and the advocacy agenda of youth members.
• Coordinate activities within the calendar, including retreats, workshops, and shadow days, ensuring each event contributes to the growth and development of participants as advocates and leaders.
• Assist the Statewide Policy Manager in planning and executing annual retreats and bi-weekly check-ins, ensuring agendas are set and minutes are prepared. Solicit input from cohort members on legislative issues and integrate their perspectives into CYC’s advocacy efforts.
• Support the cohort by providing guidance and mentorship, helping members establish and achieve personal and group goals that align with CYC’s objectives.
• Manage CYC’s overall presence among CDSS staff and other advocates to advance youth-led advocacy efforts.

Supervisory

• Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with policies and procedures, including recruiting, interviewing, and training cohort members; planning, assigning, scheduling, and directing work; evaluating progress; approving timesheets; and addressing conflicts.
• Plan, coordinate, assign, and monitor performance while coaching, mentoring, training, and advising youth members to meet program or project goals and assist in completing assigned tasks.
• Exercise independent decision-making skills regarding activities and partnerships at the cohort level.
• Track participation by members and update the database with attendance and participant information.

Conferences, Shadow Day & Events

• Assist in coordinating annual conferences and related events, ensuring these activities are integrated into the year-long development plan and support youth leadership.
• Partner with the training team to develop and support the pre-conference and conference training agenda and materials for both new and experienced youth members, focusing on their role in advocacy.
• Collaborate in the development of curriculum for CYC’s two annual statewide policy conferences, ensuring it reflects youth leadership and advocacy.
• Provide tangible support and coaching to youth leaders to help them succeed as conference facilitators, emphasizing their development as advocates in these spaces.

Administrative & Reporting

• Collect, analyze, and manage chapter-level data to measure the impact of various strategies aimed at developing youth leadership and advocacy.
• Track participation by members and supporters, updating the database with attendance and participant information.
• Prepare and submit program and expense reports in a timely manner, at least on a monthly basis, ensuring accountability and transparency.

General Duties

• Additional duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

• Associates Degree, or equivalent from an accredited two-year college.
• At least three (3) years of progressively responsible project coordinator experience.
• Experience working directly with youth and adult volunteers and a love for working with teenagers and young adults, preferably within foster care.
• Experience with foster care issues, community organizing, state legislation, policies, and working with government agencies.
• Hold a current driver’s license with at least three (3) years of driving experience, reliable transportation, and the ability to drive long distances on occasion.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong Commitment to Mission and Values: Deep commitment to CYC’s mission and values, with a passion for empowering young people and advocating for their rights and needs.
• Relationship Building: Ability to establish and nurture trusting relationships with diverse individuals from various backgrounds, fostering collaboration across multiple teams within the organization.
• Emotional Intelligence: High level of emotional intelligence, enabling effective communication and understanding of the needs and perspectives of young people and colleagues. This includes empathy, active listening, and the ability to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics.
• Creative and Inclusive Approach: A creative mindset that incorporates a lens for considering multiple perspectives and needs, particularly in developing and implementing youth-led initiatives and systems.
• Leadership Development Focus: Understanding of youth leadership principles and the ability to create and facilitate opportunities that promote the growth and development of young advocates.
• Self-Starter and Initiative: Highly motivated self-starter capable of identifying initial and subsequent steps needed to advance projects and initiatives, performing well with minimal day-to-day oversight.
• Organizational Skills: Excellent organizational skills with meticulous attention to detail, enabling effective management and follow-through on multiple concurrent projects.
• Effective Time Management: Strong time management abilities, with a demonstrated capacity to prioritize tasks and implement a comprehensive work plan aligned with organizational goals.
• Results-Oriented and Continuous Learning: Proactive approach with a genuine enthusiasm for achieving results; strong curiosity and dedication to continuous learning and personal development.
• Flexibility and Dependability: Adaptable and reliable in both independent and collaborative environments, demonstrating a commitment to team success and organizational goals.
• Team Player: Strong collaborator who values input from team members, actively contributes to team dynamics, and fosters a positive working atmosphere.
• Judgment and Decision-Making: Excellent judgment and sound decision-making skills, particularly in high-stakes situations involving youth advocacy and policy development.
• Interpersonal Skills: Positive attitude with outstanding interpersonal skills, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for youth and colleagues alike.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficiency in MS Office Suite, Gmail, Google Docs and Calendar, database programs, and other online information management tools, including Apricot, with the ability to quickly adapt to new technologies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position for long periods while operating a computer to create documents, conducting Internet research, sending and receiving emails and participating in meetings, communicating on a telephone and in-person; read and write, apply logic and focus attention in the presence of distractions. Occasional requirements are to move about the office to access file cabinets and office equipment, pack and move boxes, luggage, and training supplies up to 50 pounds, etc.