Policy Analyst

Job Description Job Description Title: Policy Analyst
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Compensation: $58,000 to $62,000
Full Time / Part Time: Full Time

JOB TITLE: Policy Analyst

SUPERVISOR: Director of Advocacy and Public Policy

COMPENSATION: Compensation base range is from $58,000 - $62,000 annually, commensurate with education and experience.

SCHEDULE: The position is a full-time, exempt with a regular schedule of Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00, with occasional mandated night and weekends.

LOCATION: Will work remotely but needs to be located in the Portland Metro Area to participate in our in-person programming.

SCOPE OF WORK:
The Policy Analyst is a key leader in the League's public affairs, representing the League to advance justice through regional policies and initiatives that promote equity, parity, and civil rights for Black and African American communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington. This staffer is responsible for providing leadership and guidance on a variety of Urban League of Portland initiatives in the areas of administration, grassroots organizing, community outreach, government relations, communications and policy program assistance.

WORK TRACK:
There are three specific tracks of work for which one of the Policy Analysts will be responsible for. The specific position is for the liberation tract:

• Health - the Health Policy Analyst's essential duties and responsibilities will focus specifically on behavioral health, public health, environmental justice, and homelessness.
• Wealth - the Wealth Policy Analyst's essential duties and responsibilities will focus specifically on housing, jobs, community development.
• Liberation - the Liberation Policy Analyst's essential duties and responsibilities will focus on education, criminal justice, voting protections, systemic racism/white supremacy.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Advocacy & Policy

• Research and analyze housing, economic, employment, healthcare, and other public policy that directly or indirectly; negatively or positively impact African Americans at the local, regional, state, and at times, federal levels.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and administrative matters related to policy issues important to the Urban League of Portland at the local and state level; advise and make recommendations to advance Urban League of Portland's priorities.
• Advise the League's executive team on the League's public positions on pending legislative matters, developing public statements, guidance on testimony.
• Conducting policy or health research and draft or review a range of materials including testimony, briefings, statements, key findings, frequently asked questions, alerts to ensure they are evidence based, accurate and represent Urban League of Portland's positions.
• Oversee the education and training of staff on the League's policy priorities
• Represent the Urban League at meetings and collaborate with partners on task forces, work groups, and committees to promote parity and civil rights for African Americans and others living in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
• Identify emerging policy and systems issues through networking with Urban League staff, constituents, program participants, and community-based organizations and partnerships, state, and at times, national affiliate organizations.
• Advise and guide the policy aspects of the State of Black Oregon and periodic issue updates and policy briefs.
• Lead efforts to coordinate with Urban League of Portland program directors and managers to ensure coherence between policies, proposed legislation, and practices.

Writing & Communication

• Write reports and other communications related to the work of the Urban League of Portland tailored to a specific and/or general audience.
• Support the implementation of Urban League of Portland's policy priorities. To include, but not limited to, communication and outreach with neighborhood and community coalition groups on a particular policy item; taking the lead on communication pieces such as Op-eds; and working with team members to get pertinent information out to members and the public at large.
• Develop policy briefs on issues that empower African Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security and overall quality of life to help educate elected officials, partner organizations, board of directors, and the general public.
• Drafting model legislation, amendments to legislation, and administrative rules that advance consider the organization's positions.
• Assist in developing policy-related backgrounders, public testimony, talking points, letters and other materials to support Urban League of Portland's policy priorities.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

• Exceptional analytical, writing, and problem-solving skills.
• Creative and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to work both independently and cooperatively.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication and customer service skills.
• Able to work under pressure, prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Knowledge of diverse groups, working with multicultural workforce and sensitivity and appreciation of cultural differences.
• Understanding of factors that may influence racial disparity and policies that prevent or contribute to social and economic inequity for African-Americans.
• Ability to cultivate and sustain relationships and work effectively with a wide variety of people.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Passion and desire to make a difference to the community through your efforts.

EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's degree (B.A./B.S.), preferably in political science, public policy, social science, law or related field of study, from a college or university, required.

or

• At least 3 years' experience in a related field, required.

and

• At least 5 years of experience in policy development, government relations, organizing, politics, or a related field, required.
• At least three years of experience in social justice and systems advocacy work, preferred.
• Community organizing and campaign experience, preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to serving African-American communities in Oregon and Southwest Washington, required.
• Professional, personal, or volunteer experience with Black immigrant communities, preferred.

BENEFITS:

Within your first year of employment the Urban League of Portland is excited to offer the following benefits after 60 days of successful employment:

• 100% employer paid medical, dental and vision for qualifying employees and their additional dependents.
• 21 days of PTO in your first year
• 12 paid holidays
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Life insurance
• The ability to plan and volunteer in engaging community events.
• The ability to serve your community through a culturally specific lens.

About the Urban League of Portland: Established in 1945, the Urban League of Portland is one of the oldest African American service, civil rights, and advocacy organizations in the region. We are part of a network of over 90 National Urban League Affiliates across the country and are recognized as one of the leading voices for African Americans and others in Oregon and Southwest Washington. We are a key coalition-builder amongst other organizations and work extensively with both traditional and emerging groups, the faith-based community, businesses, and other organizations, including those serving immigrants and refugees. The Urban League of Portland's mission is to empower African Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security, and quality of life. Our programs include a distinctive blend of direct services, organizing, outreach, and advocacy. We offer workforce services, community health services, summer youth programming, senior services, meaningful civic engagement opportunities, and powerful advocacy.

Equal Opportunity Statement: The Urban League of Portland is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified employees and applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, mental or physical disability, or status as a Vietnam-era or special disabled veteran in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

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