Senior Staff Writer and Special Projects Lead

WestCoast Children’s Clinic, located in Oakland, California, is a non-profit community psychology clinic that provides mental health services to Bay Area children, youth and families. Working at WestCoast Children’s Clinic means being part of an organization that is client-centered, trauma-informed, collaborative, and committed to justice and equity. 

WestCoast Children’s Clinic is looking for a Senior Staff Writer and Special Projects Lead to join our team. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Special Projects Administrator will manage a broad range of complex projects, supporting the CEO and Executive Management Team with agency-wide initiatives and communication efforts.

Please note that as this is a writing position, cover letters are an important part of the application review process.

Key Responsibilities:

Special Projects Lead

• Manage and lead special projects, including the preparation of reports for county, or state meetings, Op-Eds and literature reviews, as requested by the CEO or other members of the Executive team.
• Stay informed on issues related to our mission, and public systems; i.e. child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice, and education.
• Research and provide analysis on upcoming bills affecting our clients and families, Provide metrics as requested by management.
• Assist in annual agency and departmental goal development, monitor progress, and compile end-of-year summary reports.

Communication and Community Outreach

• Enhance communication with community stakeholders through various channels of communication.
• Assist in the development and maintenance of communications platforms, including website, social media, and internal newsletter.
• Create content - posts, videos, stories - for social media and other outreach.

Grant Coordination

• Participate in the development of federal, state, and local grants, including researching grant opportunities and preparing applications.
• Ensure proper administration of grants, including reporting, applications for adjustments, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Qualifications:

• Must possess strong writing and communication skills
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in social work, public policy, political science, law, public health or other related field preferred
• Experience in project management, nonprofit management or similar preferred
• Experience with child welfare and mental health systems preferred
• Sense of humor
• Able to shift gears seamlessly
• Persistence 
• Flexibility

Key Skills:

• Troubleshooting and solving complex problems with sound judgment.
• Coordinating project work 
• Analyzing and organizing information using critical thinking.
• Diplomacy and presenting a positive agency image, both verbally and in writing.
• Planning, organizing work, and meeting schedules and timelines.
• Preparing various reports, logs, records, and files.
• Drafting letters, memos, and related correspondence with excellent writing skills.

The successful candidate will have the ability to:

• Manage multiple complex projects with extreme attention to detail.
• Promote and support the agency’s goals and priorities professionally.
• Perform responsible and complex technical, administrative, and clerical work independently.
• Remain informed on issues impacting the agency.
• Work collaboratively on cross-functional teams and communicate complex information diplomatically.
• Project a strong commitment to the agency’s mission, vision, and values.
• Maintain systems according to designated practices and procedures.
• Research and prepare accurate reports and analyses.
• Communicate effectively and build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Work Environment, Position Details, and Compensation:

• This is a hybrid role, must be able to work in the office/in person as needed.
• Must be able to manage and prioritize multiple projects and work through constant interruptions.
• May be required to work extended hours to meet department deadlines.
• Salary range: $68,000-$74,000, depending on experience. Includes competitive benefits package, 403(b) plan, and performance-based compensation.

As this is a writing position, cover letters are an important part of the application review process, and your cover letter will be evaluated by the hiring team.

Why work here?

-Be part of a compassionate, driven team that is social justice-focused: We have Staff Affinity Groups such as Staff of Color, LGBTQ+, Equity and Inclusion, Health and Wellness, and more!

-Make a difference for the Bay Area’s most vulnerable populations: We serve hundreds of vulnerable kids and their families each year to create positive changes in their lives!

-Access a growth-oriented learning community: As a Joint Commission Accredited agency, we are dedicated to providing the highest standard of care, and offer extensive clinical trainings and seminars led by field experts. 

We also offer:

• Annual incentive compensation and retirement plan contribution
• 100% Employer paid medical (base plan, Kaiser HMO), dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability coverage for full-time employees
• Variety of medical plan options including a variety of carriers and types of plans
• 403b retirement plan with ROTH and 403b contribution options
• Flex-spending options - Medical, Dependent Care and Commuter Plans
• 15 days paid time off per year (equivalent to 3 weeks), 11 Paid Holidays, plus Self-Care Leave (additional PTO accrual with increased years of service)
• Professional development stipend
• Monthly wellness stipend

Join us and make a difference in the lives of vulnerable children and families in the Bay Area.  

WCC is passionate about leading and encouraging open conversations around race, gender, power, and privilege and how these impact community mental health. We are an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diminishing the influence of privilege and discrimination in our field and our workplace, whether due to differences concerning age, citizenship, color, disability, marital or parental status, race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation.