Policy & Government Affairs Manager

Policy & Government Affairs Manager

ABOUT US

Founded in 1991, Hope Solutions, formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Housing, is a vibrant and socially responsive non-profit agency that provides permanent housing and vital support services to over 2,000 homeless or at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County. Over 40 faith-based communities support our work, although there are no religious requirements or affiliations to receive services.

Are you seeking a new role that fully utilizes your talents and potential—while helping to make the world a better place? If so, please read on!

What are you passionate about?

At Hope Solutions—we envision a world in which everyone has a place to call home and the support of a strong community so that they can live with dignity and reach their full potential. We strive to be inclusive and responsive to community needs. We are committed to excellence and accomplish our work with integrity, respect, compassion, and humility.

Hope Solution's mission is to heal the effects of poverty and homelessness by providing permanent housing and vital support services to highly vulnerable families and individuals.

Could our mission be your mission?

Learn more about us @ hopesolutions.org

TEAM SNAPSHOT

We're adding to our team of passionate folks—who are on a mission to help make the lives of others better—through services and support that lead to a higher quality of life for our clients.

We'd like to learn more about you—apply for the role! What's our team like?

Here's a snapshot of some of the folks at Hope Solutions who help advance our vision to achieve—secure housing and the dignity of self-sufficiency for the homeless and at-risk families and individuals in Contra Costa County.

A FEW OF US...

Deanne—Chief Executive Officer—Resides with her husband and three children. Enjoys hiking, camping, reading, cooking, and cheering at her kids' games.

Alex—Chief Operating Officer—Lives with his wife, son, and dog (and loves when the grandkids visit!). MSW and macro social worker who enjoys reading, baseball (Go Giants!), cooking, hiking, jazz, and family time.

Christina—Chief Financial Officer—Resides with her husband, son, two daughters, and their dog. MPA, Non-Profit Graduate Certificate, and 20+ years in finance; enjoys traveling and family time.

Beth—Director of Clinical and Support Services—Resides with her sister and son. Licensed psychologist with 30+ years working with children and families; enjoys singing, cooking, gardening, and traveling.

Bill—Director of Properties and Support Services—Resides with his partner. Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with 25+ years’ experience working with underserved populations, specialized training in somatic psychotherapy and end-of-life care; enjoys reading, gardening, and meditation.

Cayla—Director of Evaluation and Learning —Resides with her husband and children. MBA in Business Analytics that thrives on spreadsheet analysis, dashboard creation, and reading.

Debbie—Director of Development and External Relations—Resides with her husband, two teenagers, and a rescue mutt. Leads external relations and development with 20+ years in marketing and communications.

Jasmine—Consulting Director of Strategic Initiatives—Resides with her husband, three children, and three dogs. MS in Organizational Leadership and Innovation; co-convener of the Multi-faith ACTION Coalition and board member.

Kristina—Director of Human Resources—Resides with her spouse, child, and French Bulldogs. 20+ years in leadership, operations, and people management; Bachelor's in Business Administration, SHRM-SCP certified; enjoys family time, lifting weights, indoor cycling, hiking, and laughter.

Mashal—Director of Housing & Support Services—Resides in the Bay Area. Daughter of Afghan refugees; enjoys weekends with her son, concerts, reading, and Sonoma Coast drives; former Program Manager for housing and care for chronically homeless adults with AIDS/HIV; co-chair for Hope Solutions' DEIB Committee and board member.

Tanya—Director of Rapid Re-Housing and Navigation—Resides with her husband, daughter, and two sons. Master's in Counseling Psychology with 15+ years serving underserved populations; enjoys music, comedy, movies, exercising, and basketball.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

The Policy and Government Affairs Manager will expand Hope Solutions' efforts to impact local, regional, and state policy advocacy to influence public funding and service systems to increase adequate resources to prevent and end homelessness. This is a newly created position at Hope Solutions and a successful candidate for this position will have the proven capacity to engage with staff, stakeholders, elected officials, and our clients around key advocacy initiatives.

Supervisory Responsibility: None

WHAT WILL YOU DO:

• Partner with Hope Solutions CEO, Board of Directors, and Resident Empowerment Program (REP) team to develop Hope Solutions’ policy and advocacy efforts. This will include field research, assessments with staff, interviews with our peers and partners, and the development of our Advocacy and Policy Plan.

• Build relationships with and represent Hope Solutions with local governments, regional agencies, elected officials, and local and regional policy coalitions.

• Guide and support the Hope Solutions Resident Empowerment Team as they work to equip affordable housing residents and community members at large to advocate for the creation and retention of affordable housing and supportive services. Additionally, provide logistical and organizational support to ensure effective events, operations, and collaboration.

• Assess Hope Solutions' connections and participation with state and local government and other partners.

• Track and influence emerging issues at the local, regional, and state levels and identify opportunities for action and opportunities for funding.

• Research and respond to requests for proposals (RFPs) for government funding opportunities.

• Support private grant writing and fundraising to develop and expand our local, regional, and statewide policy efforts.

• Prepare annual impact report in partnership with Grants & Communications manager

• Frequently attend and represent Hope Solutions at community, government, and partner events throughout Contra Costa County, periodically in the evening or on weekends.

• Active participation and contribution to the Management Team of Hope Solutions.

Cultural Responsiveness:

• Awareness of and aptitude to understand, respect, and adapt to cultural and identity-based differences within group environments appropriately and effectively.

• Knowledge of and commitment to concepts and issues tied to social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion and belonging.

• Experience fostering and reinforcing an environment that values unique experiences, cultures, and personal humility.

• Participate in and complete our new employee onboarding process, which includes reading and discussing a short chapter in the book The Color of Law.

Organizational/Administrative Responsibilities:

• Professionally represent Hope Solutions in all circumstances.

• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, standards of practice, and outcome measures for the programs, as well as consistent with the contracts.

• Comply with all legal/ethical professional guidelines for maintaining consumer confidentiality, adhering to HIPAA guidelines, protecting consumer rights, advocating on consumers' behalf, and assuring consumer safety.

• Comply with all local, state, and federal regulations.

• Attend all required meetings, including but not limited to Hope Solutions staff meetings and linkage meetings with other agencies.

• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Position Qualifications:

• At least 3 years of relevant experience that can include policy development, communications, government relations, real estate development, social justice, or community organizing.

• Pragmatic, strategic thinker with demonstrated experience advancing strategies in sensitive political environments.

• Demonstrated commitment or interest to racial equity and experience working with issues affecting vulnerable populations.

• Must be comfortable speaking in public, facilitating meetings, and have excellent communication and diplomacy skills required for politically sensitive situations.

• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines with attention to detail in a demanding environment.

• Flexibility with work hours, including occasional evening and weekend meetings.

• Strong proficiency in MS Office and excellent writing and research skills.

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in public policy, public administration, political science, etc., may substitute three years of equivalent work experience.

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills. (Bilingual English and Spanish are a plus.)

• Must have an operational vehicle, auto insurance, and valid California driver's license, and be willing to drive for work.

• Must pass LiveScan screening and TB test.

• Salary contingent upon skill and experience.

Physical Qualifications:

• Must be able to sit for long hours. Must be able to view and operate a computer.

• Must be able to work in a desk setting for up to 3 hours at a time to make calls to residents, research resources on the internet, and collaborate with community providers with calls/emails.

• Office setting activities are required, such as typing on a laptop/computer to respond to emails, entering case notes into a database, and copying and faxing forms and documents on a copy machine related to maintaining or obtaining housing.

• Occasionally must be able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including furnishings for new residents, files, holiday gifts, and food donations.

• Ability to drive an automobile and transport oneself, including driving at night.

Compensation & Benefits:

• Flexible, dynamic work environment.
• 100% premium paid for employee Kaiser health and dental care.
• Matched 403b retirement savings.
• 11 paid holidays, plus 3 floating holidays.
• Ability to accrue 2-4 weeks' vacation depending on tenure.
• Life insurance and Employee Assistance Program.

We are an equal-opportunity employer. If you're a good fit, we want to meet you!

• Please be advised that we are unable to provide sponsorship for this position. The nature of the work at Hope Solutions does not qualify us to support sponsorship. Only candidates authorized to work in the USA without the need for sponsorship will be considered.