Community Policy Associate, Mental Health (California) – No longer accepting applications

Team Description 

NCYL’s Mental Health Team engages in advocacy to advance the mental health and well-being of children and youth. The Team is committed to developing and implementing community-based work that centers children and families and informs its broader advocacy priorities and strategies. 

Position 

NCYL seeks a Community Policy Associate to lead work engaging with parents, caregivers, community leaders, and advocates to advance early childhood social, emotional, and mental health and well-being of young children ages 0 to 5. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who is knowledgeable and passionate about early childhood issues to do interesting and impactful engagement, movement-building, and policy work. 

Essential Functions 

• Drive implementation of multi-part work plan to advance early childhood mental health and well-being, with a focus on family and community engagement 
• Develop and sustain strong, collaborative partnerships with families, communities, and external partners: 
  • Plan and facilitate community meetings and forums (virtual and in-person) 
  • Engage and organize parents, caregivers, and community members in advocacy to increase services, programs, and resources available to support young children and their families 
  • Design and conduct educational workshops and advocacy training to cultivate advocacy and leadership skills 
  • Develop and implement tools and processes to help communities engage in policy advocacy 
  • Oversee the development and roll-out of a podcast featuring parent and community voices 
• Collaborate with other members of the NCYL Mental Health Team and external partners to ensure community input drives policy advocacy 

Qualifications 

• Minimum of 3 years of experience directly working with youth and families, which may include: grassroots organizing; leading and executing issue-based campaigns; or providing social, educational, or clinical services 
• Knowledge of early childhood social, emotional, and mental health  
• Understanding of grassroots organizing and movement-building 
• Experience in planning and facilitating community outreach, meetings, and training 
• Understanding of culturally responsive, trauma-informed practices 
• Experience with California state policy reform 
• Fluency in oral and written Spanish and English preferred 
• Ability to travel throughout California  
• Strong organizational and project management skills  
• Creative and adaptable work orientation; ability to problem-solve, think creatively, and be flexible in response to shifting needs of the community and partners 
• Strong verbal and written communication skills 
• Ability to use or quickly learn technological platforms (i.e., Zoom/Webex, social media platforms, Google Drive, SharePoint, etc.) 
• Demonstrated support of and commitment to NCYL’s mission, including the advancement of racial justice 

Physical Requirements 

Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. This position may require some travel. 

Salary, Benefits and Location  

This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary is competitive at $83,919.00 annually if located in Los Angeles or the San Francisco Bay areas, or $75,526.00 annually if located in the Sacramento area. 

Candidates must be currently living in, or willing to move to, the San Francisco Bay area, CA; the Los Angeles area, CA; or the Sacramento area, CA. 

NCYL provides a robust benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, generous vacation and sick benefits, flexible spending account, employer contribution to a retirement plan, and short-term and long-term disability insurance. 

This position is eligible for 100% remote work through December 31, 2023. It is possible that starting in January of 2024, NCYL will require people to work in an office. 

How to Apply 

No longer accepting applications.

Applicants with lived experience within any of our practice areas, and Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, are strongly encouraged to apply.  

It is the policy of NCYL to provide equal employment opportunities to all Applicants (including Employees) regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, national origin, age, abilities/disabilities, neurotypicality, socioeconomic status, veteran status, marital status, prior convictions, or any other protected classifications under federal, state, or local law.