Policy Coordinator

Job title: Policy Coordinator

Reports to: Thrive Kansas Assistant Director

• Job purpose:

This position will coordinate Thrive Kansas and Thrive Allen County’s public policy work, with primary responsibility for: visioning, planning, implementing, and evaluating a policy agenda; budgeting; contract and grant reporting; coordinating with staff and stakeholders; and representing Thrive Allen County and Thrive Kansas in local and state policy arenas. Periodic overnight travel will be required.

Duties and responsibilities

• 1) Design and implement organizations’ public policy program, including but not limited to (a) researching, analyzing, and monitoring public policy issues affecting rural communities throughout Kansas; (b) formulating policy agenda through coordinated discussion and input from Thrive staff, board, community members, and key stakeholders; (c) building alliances to promote policy collaborations across issues, such as childcare, poverty, food access, transportation, and Medicaid Expansion; (d) providing education and technical assistance to policymakers; (e) leading organizations’ participation in local and statewide policy efforts; (f) maintaining strong relationships with organizations’ diverse member programs from around the state through meetings, networking, training, technical assistance, and dissemination of public policy information; (g) facilitating stakeholder participation in public policy work
• 2) Track legislative initiatives, read, and provide comments on legislative drafts, provide testimony during the legislative session, and meet with key policymakers both local and statewide throughout the year.
• 3) Provide training and technical assistance on public policy topics.
• 4) Represent organizations on task forces, workgroups, and committees as needed.
• 5) Collaborate with Thrive team on grassroots advocacy efforts and stakeholder outreach.
• 6) Perform all work in a culturally responsive manner consistent with Thrive Kansas and Thrive Allen County’s mission and vision.

Other Responsibilities:

• Prepare and submit reports for policy program.
• Attend local, regional, and state outreach and advocacy events.
• Ensure that all policy and strategic initiatives communications, requests, and questions are addressed in a timely manner.
• Provide content updates for publications, social media, etc.
• Other projects and duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• 1) Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• 2) Experience promoting access for and involvement of historically marginalized groups, such as communities of color, LGBTQ+, and economically disadvantaged communities.
• 3) Understanding of advocacy with a working knowledge of laws, trends, initiatives, and challenges for the field.
• 4) Demonstrated competence with program coordination, including but not limited to: designing and presenting training; public speaking; facilitation; team leadership and collaboration; detailed program planning and timely implementation; event organizing; and developing and editing written materials.
• 5) Ability to mediate differences of philosophy and opinion.
• 6) Willingness to travel periodically to events throughout the state.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 1) Working knowledge of key state and federal policy issues impacting rural communities.
• 2) Experience working with rural communities.
• 3) Existing relationships with Kansas legislators and key stakeholders.
• 4) Experience leading grassroots efforts.
• 5) Bachelor’s degree in related field preferred, or equivalent experience.

More Information:

• Thrive is an EOE
• Compensation and Benefits: $21.16/hr. Hourly position with medical, dental, and vision benefits and 100% of premiums paid by employer
• IRA with 3% employer match
• 120 hours of paid vacation a year; and 10 paid holidays
• Thrive places a high priority on team players and community-minded individuals
• Must be a Kansas resident within 90 days of hire, preference given to individuals willing to be or already an Allen County resident

To apply send your resume and cover letter to jobs@thriveallencounty.org

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21.16 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Travel requirement:

• Up to 25% travel

Work setting:

• Hybrid work
• Office

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Iola, KS 66749