Government Affairs Director | Grants Manager | Michigan Government Affairs Manager

Government Affairs Director

Location: Sacramento, CA strongly preferred
Reports to: CSJ Executive Director
Start Date: ASAP – position open until filled
Position type: Full time, Exempt

Summary

Californians for Safety and Justice (Safe and Just) is a nonprofit project of the Tides Center focused on replacing waste in California’s prison and justice system with common sense solutions that increase safety and reduce costs. Through policy advocacy, communications, alliance-building, and direct support for counties, Californians for Safety and Justice works to advance systemic policy reform to reduce our over-reliance on incarceration and advance more effective approaches to public safety. We also work to expand the use of alternatives to incarceration, including community corrections, drug treatment, mental health treatment, community service, workforce development, healing programs for victims of crime and other evidence-based practices. Central to our work is the recognition that survivors deserve a justice system that prioritizes healing, prevention and recovery – and too often these are unmet.

Position Overview

The Government Affairs Director leads the organization’s policy and legislative reform advocacy, a central component of the organization’s mission and strategies. The Government Affairs Director will be responsible for engaging in extensive legislative research and analysis, tracking criminal justice legislative developments, developing and shepherding a legislative agenda, producing high-quality policy reports and briefings, maintaining relationships with policymakers, staff, and government officials, supporting our crime survivors’ network, and facilitating coalitions with allied organizations. The Government Affairs Director will support overall organizational strategy development and work collaboratively with the Safe and Just team on a daily basis.

Essential Position Responsibilities

Represent Californians for Safety and Justice in the state Capitol and among policymakers and policy advocates across the state of California.
Lead the organization’s development of an annual legislative policy agenda and legislative priorities, and facilitate the organization’s analysis of policy developments and trends. Lead and shepherd the organization’s legislative agenda.
Oversee contracts and grants related to the organization’s legislative agenda, including but not limited to, lobbying contracts, grants to policy research organizations, and/or grants to allied policy advocacy organizations.
Conduct detailed and ongoing research and analysis of criminal justice legislation, data, law, and policy reform proposals, including local and state criminal justice data, local and state public safety budgets, local and state legislation, state ballot measures, and budgetary and administrative reforms moving forward at the state and local level.
Draft briefings and reports and/or coordinate with other legislative experts and academics to produce reports on issues relevant for advancing organizational goals, such as best practices in recidivism reduction, the cost of incarceration and alternatives, summaries of criminal justice data and/or budgets, and other related policy matters.
Maintain effective relationships with the offices of state legislators, local criminal justice and elected leaders in key counties, state corrections agencies, the California Governor, and others.
Facilitate the development of the organization’s Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice (CSSJ) legislative agenda, train crime survivors in policy advocacy, and partner with the network to engage crime survivors in policy advocacy and legislative advocacy work. Ensure that CSSJ is visible in the State Capitol and participating in policy makers’ understanding of crime survivor issues.
Maintain a deep understanding of the legislative landscape in Sacramento and key counties.
Other duties as needed to achieve the success of the organization.

Required Qualifications

5+ years of professional legislative advocacy experience, preferably in a government position or a campaign or social justice advocacy setting.
Expertise in criminal justice policy in California.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills.
Capacity to work effectively in a rapidly changing environment, with a strong commitment to communication and collaboration with other staff and allied organizations.
Desired Skills and Capabilities
A law degree or a Masters in Public Policy or equivalent educational background preferred.
Professional experience working inside California’s criminal justice system preferred.
Existing relationships with legislators, legislative staffers and analysts, policy experts, and/or grassroots advocates preferred.
Goal-driven and results-oriented individual with a strong commitment to social justice.
Well-organized, a self-starter, flexible, creative, able to work under pressure, and be able to work quickly and cooperatively on several efforts at one time.
Organizational Relationship This position reports to the Californians for Safety and Justice Executive Director.

Qualifications

Comfortable with Mac laptops generally and Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel in particular, Google Drive experience a plus.

Physical Demands

Must be able to sit at a computer for extended periods of time. Some travel required.

Work Environment

Sacramento, CA preferred.

Downtown office environment with open seating areas and individual offices. Standard work desks and furniture, fluorescent lighting. There is an elevator in the building. Located close to train station. Work hours, dependent on deadlines, may sometimes be odd and include occasional night or weekend assignments.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The Tides Center offers a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement, and annual leave.

How to Apply

To Apply Applications should be sent to jobs@safeandjust.org with a reference to the job title, “Government Affairs Director” in the subject line. Please send:

A cover letter indicating your match to the stated job requirements;
Your resume;
3-4 professional references, and;
A writing sample demonstrating your policy aptitude, such as a policy briefing, a policy advocacy plan you have implemented, or a previous legislative proposal.

Californians for Safety and Justice, a project of Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, medical condition (cancer-related) or conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related conditions (ARC). Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

Grants Manager

Location: Bay Area or Los Angeles California preferred, Washington D.C. or remote telecommute
Reports to: ASJ Development Director
Start Date: ASAP – position open until filled
Position type: Full time

Background

Founded in 2016, Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ), a project of the Tides Center, is a multi-state organization that aims to win new safety priorities in large incarceration states across the country. At a time of immense opportunity, ASJ partners with leaders and advocates to advance state criminal justice reform through policy advocacy, coalition building, research, education, and strategic communications. ASJ also brings together diverse crime survivors to advance policies that help communities most harmed by crime and violence. ASJ’s sister organization, Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ), also a project of Tides Center, has been leading state advocacy efforts to replace over-incarceration in California with new safety priorities for the last six years. With a substantial California staff and a strong track record, CSJ operates as ASJ’s flagship state advocacy effort. Additionally, Alliance for Safety and Justice Action Fund, a project of Tides Advocacy, is the 501 (c)4 arm of both ASJ and CSJ. Combined, ASJ and CSJ operate with 60 staff and an annual budget of over $20 million.

Position Summary

Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ) seeks a Grants Manager to oversee all (c)3 and (c)4 grant-related activities. The successful candidate will use their excellent written communication skills to maintain and grow ASJ’s grants portfolio, translating our important criminal justice reform work to external stakeholders. The Grants Manager position will be responsible for writing and submitting LOIs, grant proposals and reports to private foundation and corporate partners; maintaining the organization’s development calendar; keeping track of all grant-related records and maintaining strong relationships with foundation contacts, among other things. This experienced development professional will have the unique opportunity to strengthen ASJ’s community of supporters as well as convey the critical work of our dedicated team.

The Grants Manager will work closely with our leadership, our program staff and other members of our growing development team, and will have responsibilities driving fundraising from a local to national level. This positio n is based in the Bay Area or Los Angeles, California, though consideration will also be given to candidates in locations where Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ) has a growing staff presence including Florida, Ohio and New York.

Primary Responsibilities

Reporting to the Development Director, the Grants Manager will focus on:

Grant Writing and Management (60%)

Act as lead writer on all letters of inquiry, grant proposals and reports for private foundation and corporate partners.
Draft original content, and strategically pull from existing content, to represent ASJ’s nationwide work in a fast-paced and time-pressured environment.
Lead efforts to gather quantitative and qualitative research and data for reports and proposals.
Manage all aspects of grant reporting and proposal submission, including managing annual grant calendars, preparing materials, ensuring timely submissions, tracking the status of submissions, sending thank you letters and maintaining strong relationships with foundation contacts.
Work closely with the ASJ Management Team to develop other related fundraising materials including concept papers, PowerPoint presentations and other branding documents as needed.

Relationship Management and Information Sharing (30%)

Maintain close communication with the ASJ Management Team and program staff to ensure that fundraising priorities and narratives reflect state strategies and goals.
Establish strong relationships with foundation and corporate contacts, keeping them apprised of new and relevant programmatic successes and requesting information from them as needed.
Work closely with the Development Director to secure meetings and site visits with foundation and corporate staff as needed, and to help facilitate their attendance at major ASJ events.
Work closely with the Development Communications Manager, along with other communications and development staff, to ensure that foundation contacts receive programmatic information through multiple channels (email, social media, etc.)
Oversee the tracking of all funder records and other relevant funder information through Salesforce and G Suite, working with the Development Associate.
Create and refine reporting and data tracking systems.
Carefully review grant award letters to ensure compliance.

Planning and Prospecting (10%)

Identify prospective funders and corporate sponsors, support cultivation, and assist in securing major gifts to support 501(c)3 and (c)4 activities.
Work closely with Development Director to support retention processes and strategies for grant partners.
Stay current on grant-making trends, the criminal justice reform field and relevant news, and the organization’s program activities to inform funder communications.
Work closely with the Development Director to identify metrics for success and establish goals and milestones for ASJ’s grants portfolio, specifically related to annual fundraising targets.
Other duties as needed to achieve the success of the organization.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be adaptable, resourceful, deadline-driven and a strong team player. They will have a keen eye for detail and a commitment to criminal justice reform. Specific skills and experience include:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; advanced degree preferred
Impeccable written and verbal communication skills required
Excellent organizational skills with a detail-oriented focus
At least 5 years of fundraising experience, with a minimum of 2 years of proven experience writing grant proposals and managing a grants portfolio at a mission-driven organization or non-profit (preferably in a political or issue advocacy campaign setting)
Experience securing large grants or major gifts required ($100,000 and up)
Familiarity with criminal justice issues preferred
Demonstrated experience in developing and sustaining collaborative working relationships
Ability to work independently and collaboratively, listen and learn from feedback, and make decisions in accordance with established policies
Ability to manage a series of different projects and thrive in a busy, multi-tasking, and time-pressured environment
Proficiency with Salesforce or another donor database and with G Suite
Ease of use of workplace apps including Slack, Asana, Google apps, and similar tools
Empathetic, humble, kind and level-headed

Physical Demands

Must be able to sit at a computer for extended periods of time. Some travel may be required.

Work Environment

Bay Area, CA, Oakland, CA, or remote telecommute. Downtown office environment with open seating areas and individual offices. Standard work desks and furniture, fluorescent lighting. There is an elevator in the building. Located close to a train station. Work hours, dependent on deadlines, may sometimes include occasional night or weekend assignments.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The Tides Center offers a competitive benefits package including health insurance, retirement, and annual leave.

How to Apply

Applications should be sent to Emily Schelle ( eschelle@cnpstaffing.com ) with a reference to the job title, “Grants Manager,” in the subject line. Please send a cover letter indicating your match to the stated job requirements; your resume; and at least two writing samples.

Writing samples should include:

A grant proposal to a private foundation at or above the $100,000 level
A grant report to a private foundation or corporation at or above the $100,000 level

Position open until filled.

The Alliance for Safety and Justice, a project of Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.

Michigan Government Affairs Manager

Location: Michigan
Reports to: Managing Director, Government Affairs
Start Date: ASAP – Position open until filled
Position type: Full time, exempt

Background

Founded in 2016, the Alliance for Safety and Justice (ASJ), a project of the Tides Center, is a multi-state organization that aims to win new safety priorities in large incarceration states across the country. At a time of immense opportunity, ASJ partners with leaders and advocates to advance state criminal justice reform through policy advocacy, coalition building, research, education and strategic communications. ASJ also brings together diverse crime survivors to advance policies that help communities most harmed by crime and violence. ASJ’s sister organization, Californians for Safety and Justice (CSJ), also a project of Tides Center, has been leading state advocacy efforts to replace over-incarceration in California with new safety priorities for the last six years. With a substantial California staff and a strong track record, CSJ operates as ASJ’s flagship state advocacy effort. Additionally, the Alliance for Safety and Justice Action Fund, a project of Tides Advocacy, is the 501 (c) 4 arm of both ASJ and CSJ. Combined, ASJ and CSJ operate with over 60 staff.

Position Summary

In recent years with local partners ASJ supported the historic passage of Objective Parole (HB 5377) into law, establishing objective criteria for release upon a first parole hearing for people assessed as low risk—the Michigan Department of Corrections (MDOC) estimates this will lead to a savings of $40 million and the reduction of thousands of prison beds. ASJ also helped to secure the passage of HB 5243, a medical probation bill to give greater flexibility to counties to move medically frail individuals to treatment from jail. ASJ will continue to work in Michigan to advance ambitious policies that improve public safety and outcomes for crime survivors. The Alliance for Safety and Justice seeks a Government Affairs Manager who will be responsible for the success of 1) legislative advocacy efforts to advance smart safety solutions and reduce incarceration, 2) advancing and supporting the implementation of justice reform policy to maximize impact, and 3) developing strong and positive partnerships in the state in support of legislative and implementation strategies—with a particular focus on building partnerships with law enforcement leaders from across the state. Legislative and implementation efforts include building bipartisan coalitions and partnerships with law enforcement, business, crime survivor stakeholders, community leaders and associated agencies.

The Government Affairs Manager will represent the Alliance for Safety and Justice in the state capitol and local jurisdictions, manage key in-state partner relationships and shepherd ASJ’s role in day-to-day coordination with in-state advocates. The Government Affairs Manager will report directly to the Managing Director for State Campaigns and be a part of the Programs team.

Primary Responsibilities

Reporting to ASJ’s Managing Director of Government Affairs, the Michigan Government Affairs Manager will focus on the following:

Michigan Policy Development & Strategy (70%)

Assist with managing the lobbying team by overseeing the execution of lobbying strategy; writing lobbying reports and tracking the activities of lobbying activities with respect to implementation and legislative advocacy work plans
Develop and execute legislative and policy implementation advocacy strategies at the state and local level with guidance from the Managing Director
Develop and maintain a working understanding of the political, policy and criminal justice landscape in Michigan, including but not limited to key legislative activities; key grassroots organizations and activities; government and program innovations;forward-thinking criminal justice leaders and state influencers
Represent the Alliance for Safety and Justice in public forums and before legislative and other government bodies
Develop an understanding of what role each of our key partners will play, establish effective partnerships between ASJ and local officials, government agencies, key stakeholders (such as local law enforcement), business leadership and in-state advocates
Develop and manage coalitions and coalition partners
Identify decision points, analyze relevant information and make recommendations to the ASJ leadership team about changes in advocacy strategies

Relationship Management and Information Sharing (20%)

Cultivate and maintain strong partnerships and relationships with allies and key stake holders in law enforcement, the community and government
Represent ASJ in public forums and before legislative and other government bodies

Planning and Prospecting (10%)

Research and analyze state legislation, state budgets and public safety administrative procedures and develop a strong understanding of best practices in criminal justice and public safety policy
Provide recommendations for ASJ leadership and produce memos, briefs and powerpoint presentations on those findings.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; advanced degree preferred
Impeccable written and verbal communication skills required
Sound judgment and decision-making skills
Strong public speaking and persuasive communication skills with great attention to detail and an ability to explain complex ideas in a simple way
Strategic and critical thinker able to focus on diverse internal and external stakeholders
Demonstrated awareness of related laws and regulations that govern the state of Michigan and the legislative process, including related legislative committee structures and the roles of other important influencers
A self-starter who is well-organized and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously and independently
Able to work efficiently and adapt to rapidly evolving climates with limited oversight
Strong project management skills
A demonstrated commitment to meeting a high bar and a history of getting things done even in the face of obstacles
Dynamic comprehension skills with a keen ability to analyze, summarize, draw conclusions and problem solve
Flexible, goal-oriented and able to work long hours and travel extensively when necessary
Expertise and experience in Michigan criminal justice and public safety policy and/or systems
Strong community ties in Michigan, preferably downstate
Experience with policy advocacy, coalition building, community outreach and organizing
Demonstrated experience working directly with government officials to advance policy reform objectives
Experience with law enforcement or victim advocacy is strongly preferred

Physical Demands

Must be able to sit at a computer for extended periods of time. Travel will be required.

Work Environment

This is a remote telecommute position that requires travel, especially within Michigan. Work hours, depending on circumstances may sometimes be odd and include an occasional night or weekend assignments.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The Tides Center offers a competitive benefits package including health/vision/dental insurance, retirement 403b match benefit and paid sick, holiday and vacation leave.

How to Apply

Applications should be sent to jobs@safeandjust.org with a reference to the job title, “Michigan Government Affairs Manager” in the subject line. Please send a cover letter indicating your match to the stated job requirements and your resume as well as 3-4 references.

Position open until filled. The Alliance for Safety and Justice, a project of Tides Center, is an equal opportunity employer. We strongly encourage and seek applications from women, people of color, including bilingual and bicultural individuals, as well as members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities. Applicants shall not be discriminated against because of race, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, color, marital status, or medical conditions. Reasonable accommodation will be made so that qualified disabled applicants may participate in the application process. Please advise in writing of special needs at the time of application.