Advocacy Specialist
Location: Raleigh, NC with flexible remote/office work
Salary Range: $47,000-$55,825
Supervisor: Director of Advocacy
To Apply: Send resume, cover letter, and one writing sample to:
Jacquie Ayala, Director of Advocacy, jacqueline.ayala@habitatwake.org
Please type "Advocacy Specialist" in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Summary:
Reporting to the Director of Advocacy, the Advocacy Specialist (AS) will further outreach, mobilization efforts, and policy research related to housing affordability. Through our advocacy work, Habitat Wake is mobilizing local partners, volunteers, and community members to promote better housing policies locally, statewide, and nationally.
This is a full time, non-exempt position requiring flexibility to work evening and weekend hours as needed for meeting and projects. The AS will likely work on average at least five days per week, Monday-Friday (40-hour workweek with 8 hours days).
Essential Functions:
Community Engagement
- In collaboration with the Director of Advocacy, organize homeowners and community members to engage in Habitat campaigns.
- Help organize and provide logistical support at advocacy events.
- Serve as liaison to community advocacy groups to support Habitat Wake's advocacy priorities.
- Draft slide decks and represent Habitat Wake to internal and external audiences.
- Build and maintain data management system for engaged volunteers and homeowners.
- Provide staff support to the Advocacy Committee and other ad hoc committees.
Influencing Decision Makers
- In coordination with Director of Advocacy, maintain positive working relationships with policy makers, including elected officials so that Habitat Wake is positioned as a housing resource in the community.
- Represent Habitat Wake at community meetings, public hearings, or other engagement opportunities to speak on our advocacy priorities as needed.
- Draft written comments and letters to City of Town Councils, Boards of Commissioners, transportation agencies, and other agencies.
- Work with legislative aids and assistants to schedule meetings with elected officials.
- Regularly attend Town and City Council meetings relevant to affordable housing priorities.
Advocacy Communications
- Copywrite for the Advocacy Department's external communications, including biweekly action alerts, blog posts, landing page, and print documents.
- Work with the Director of Advocacy and partner organizations to host panel discussions, webinars, or advocacy briefings.
- Regularly supply the Communications Team with advocacy related social content.
- Coordinate network's from-home participation in Habitat for Humanity's national legislative conference, Habitat on the Hill.
- Monitor performance of biweekly advocacy alerts in i-Contact with the Communications Department to maintain outreach and engagement goals.
Policy Analysis & Research
- Conduct policy research and data analysis to inform public awareness and advocacy efforts of the organization.
- Develop research briefs and position papers on key housing policies and related issues.
- Regularly monitor municipal, state, and federal government activity for topics related to affordable housing.
Property Management
- Organize and serve as the main point of contact for Habitat Wake's Advocacy Ambassadors program to recruit, train and retain a group of core advocates to act on affordable housing in their municipality and position Habitat Wake as a local leader in advocating for affordable housing.
- Support Habitat Wake's Local Lobby Day efforts, including scheduling meetings with elected officials and managing volunteers.
- Regularly report activities and outcomes on the advocacy metrics dashboard.
- Other work as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
- Several years of experience in nonprofit advocacy, government affairs, public policy, and public awareness campaigns.
- Excellent communication and public relations skills with a strong passion for the organization's mission.
- Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and as part of a team and with great energy and persistence. Experience working with diverse constituencies.
- Proven organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple tasks and project simultaneously and produce high quality results quickly and on time.
- Critical thinking, problem solving, accuracy, and attention to detail.
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with ability to persuade people to take action.
- Experience organizing people to mobilize for a cause.
- Understanding of the way local and state governments operate.
- Comfortable speaking in front of large groups.
- Experience working with diverse constituencies, including policy makers, and ability to maintain good relationships with these groups.
- Ability to prioritize information, i.e., able to pull out important points from complex policy and summarize into digestible format for the general public.
- Ability to effectively organize work and time. Must be a self-starter.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced office environment with frequent interruptions.
- Experience conducting secondary research preferred.
- Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Office Suite, Office 365, and virtual meeting platforms.
- Bachelor's degree or comparable experience in political science, public administration, community organizing, advocacy, or related field.
To Apply: Send resume, cover letter, and one writing sample to:
Jacquie Ayala, Director of Advocacy, jacqueline.ayala@habitatwake.org
Please type "Advocacy Specialist" in the subject line. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until February 10, 2023.
Habitat Wake is an equal opportunity employer.