Federal Policy Associate

The SPLC is seeking a Federal Policy Associate committed to racial justice and passionate about public policy advocacy.  

The Policy Associate supports the implementation of SPLC and SPLC Action Fund policy campaigns under the direction of the Federal Policy Director. They track, review, and analyze legislation, support advocacy efforts with legislators and local elected officials on issues of importance, and engage with directly impacted people, allied partner organizations and supporters to achieve desired outcomes in each of our priority impact areas.

Who You Are

Experienced. Demonstrated experience in public policy with knowledge and local and/or state advocacy expertise on issues related to poverty, democracy, criminal legal system, hate, and extremism, among other civil rights issues.

Effective Communicator. Skilled in articulating ideas, problems, and solutions, in both written and oral presentations, to audiences across the political ideological spectrum.

Thoughtful and analytical. Ability to be a strategic, forward-thinking person who can facilitate meetings with stakeholders.

Efficient. Ability to effectively manage time while working in a fast-paced environment, often with competing deadlines and varied assignments. Must be able to pivot from one assignment to another to accomplish goals and complete assignments promptly.

Collaborative. Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with people of diverse backgrounds, including internal departments, external organizations, and stakeholders, to execute specific policy strategies to advance the work of the policy department.

Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment. Demonstrates an understanding of and a commitment to SPLC’s mission, vision and values.

What You'll Do

Assist the Federal Policy team in planning and implementing state and local policy campaigns in alignment with our strategic priorities, including conducting research and analysis on SPLC priority issues as needed, attending and notetaking at legislative hearings, attending and notetaking at meetings with internal and external stakeholders, and tracking and analyzing legislation.

Coordinate meetings between the Federal Policy Director, team members, and external SPLC’s partners and support federal policy team members in building or strengthening coalitions that center and uplift the input of directly impacted persons to advance SPLC’s impact goals and priority issues.

Communicate with advocacy policymakers, partners, and supporters regarding relevant issues and action items.

Work collaboratively with federal policy team members and other departments to develop educational resources that inform legislators, agency officials, stakeholders, and the public to advance SPLC’s policy objectives.

Draft a variety of written materials for internal and external use, including but not limited to factsheets, talking points, issue one-pagers, letters, emails, internal memos, questions for the record, and other content that supports the work of the federal team and SPLC advocacy priorities.

Lead the dissemination of SPLC advocacy materials to internal and external stakeholders, including but not limited to policymakers, federal or state agency officials, partners, other important allies, and internal departments and teams to advance SPLC’s impact goals and priorities.

Perform other administrative duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Minimum Qualifications 

We are committed to equitable hiring practices; therefore, you must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the role.

• At least five (5) years of experience in public policy and demonstrated knowledge of the federal legislative process;
• A combination of public policy experience, education and training that would provide the level of knowledge, skills and abilities required; and
• At least a bachelor’s degree in public policy or related field.

Compensation & Benefits

This is an exempt role and the minimum starting salary is $94,637.00 annually. Salary will be commensurate with experience

Click here to view the benefits available to SPLC staff.

Where & How You'll Work 

• Local Remote: Will work remotely, but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.
• Telework: Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location.
• This role reports to the Director, Federal Policy.

Other Special Considerations 

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

This position is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, on the basis of genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.