Job description

Please apply through our website: https://utecinc.applytojob.com/apply/Q4CXMUzrPZ/Policy-Manager?source=nrg

Background on UTEC, INC.:

UTEC’s promise is to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disengaged youth to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. UTEC’s outcomes-focused model begins with intensive street outreach, reaching proven high-risk youth “where they’re at.” UTEC engages youth in workforce development and educational programs and provides intensive case management. Social justice and civic engagement are embedded in all programming. For more info, please visit www.utecinc.org.

Serving young adults throughout Merrimack Valley (Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill), UTEC was founded in 1999 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping young adults (ages 17-25) overcome the very real challenges of poverty, gang involvement, unemployment. UTEC reaches 500+ youth annually through an evidence-based model aimed at reducing recidivism while increasing education and employment attainment

Job Summary:

UTEC is looking for an innovative, creative, and committed leader to join the policy team at UTEC as Policy Manager. The Policy Manager will work closely with the Policy Director to make a lasting impact for young adults in the Commonwealth and country, through advocacy and legislative policies. Building off of the strong advocacy accomplishments over the past several years, we are excited to have a leader to help us further advance our collective work. Reporting to the Policy Director, this position will support the policy team in advancing UTEC’s statewide , federal policy, and budget efforts.

Responsible for researching state policies pertaining to justice involved young adults. Assisting in building and managing all local, state and federal relations, the policy manager will advance current initiatives and policies while creatively and collaboratively working towards developing new campaigns and legislative priorities for UTEC. The policy manager will work closely with the political director to lead draft fact sheets, legislative statements, and policies. Assist in tracking and analyzing key legislative bills that could represent opportunities for best advancing new policy initiatives. The policy manager will be a thought leader who is committed to relentlessly helping to build varied partnerships and coalitions, while ensuring the integration and elevation of youth voices in UTEC’s work. Policy and budget efforts will be focused on advancing racial, social and economic justice through the pursuit of campaigns that advance areas such as criminal justice reform and varied other areas.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Assist in Managing UTEC’s local, state, and federal policy and budget platform;
• Work on research and draft fact sheets, legislative statements, and policies with the support of the policy director.
• Build a relationship between the organizing program manager and the organizing crew to better facilitate the advocacy and organizing work.
• Assist in Researching and identify winnable administrative, legislative and/or budget campaigns for the organization, emphasizing new opportunities to lead with innovation and creativity;
• Draft fact sheets, legislative statements, and policies.
• Assist in tracking and analyzing key legislative bills that could represent opportunities for best advancing new policy initiatives, including regularly scanning policy innovations across the country for possible application by UTEC;
• Create and support opportunities for authentic young adult involvement in the creation and advancement of campaigns. Policy campaigns should align with the lived experiences of those young adults most impacted by the criminal justice system;
• With support from UTEC’s Policy Director Turn ideas into persuasive and data-driven policy statements and proposals to help advance new initiatives around racial, social, and economic justice issues, including;
• Assist in Managing and attending coalitions to support UTEC’s campaigns, and actively seek out new opportunities for meaningful partnerships. Work closely with the organizing department at UTEC to help amplify the voices of young adults in local, state level, and federal level policies.
• With support from UTEC’s Policy Director draft background materials for targeted legislative audiences, including leading legislative briefings, preparing testimony, press releases, action alerts and talking points;
• Represent UTEC at varied external meetings and national conferences.
• Point on Coalition Work specifically the legislative priorities taken on by the organization.
• Work closely on research to develop new and innovative approaches to the legislative work at UTEC that helps amplify the voices of justice involved young adults in the Merrimack Valley and across the state.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Commitment to UTEC core values and culture: See https://utecinc.org/who-we-are/mission/
• Commitment to advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Campaign management, and familiarity of the Massachusetts political landscape and state politics is a plus.
• Local campaign experience in the Merrimack Valley including and not limited to Lowell, Haverhill, and Lawrence.
• Embody UTEC’s value of chipping away in creatively building partnerships/coalitions and advancing projects
• Ability to be a thought leader and strategically and relationally, including strong facilitation skills and problem solving skills. Ability to adjust accordingly.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and creative thinking (turning ideas into a policy pitch is a big strength)
• Exemplify our commitment to follow-through (strong project management skills, ensuring systems for all key tasks to be completed on time, even in the midst of varied distractions and possible disorganization);
• Embracing the support and commitment you will receive from the Political Director while also maintaining independence, willingness to work within the grey areas, and handle the varied curveballs that may come about!
• Willingness to acknowledge mistakes is a must, and capacity to laugh at oneself is a BIG plus.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred and/or 1 to 3 years experience in related work.
• Advocacy, organizing, policy, or legislative experience.
• Passion and commitment for advancing equity and justice for young adults is a must.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to travel as needed.
• Able to hold flexible irregular work hours with travel to the Massachusetts State House and traveling to and from the Lowell UTEC office. The role is based in Lowell, MA (with approx. 20% time being spent in Boston at the State House)

Salary range of $50k-$65k, commensurate with experience. Benefits include retirement 401K plan, health and dental (50-85% subsidized), 3 weeks paid vacation, holiday and paid sick/personal time, the opportunity for a paid sabbatical after 3 years, first-time homebuyers funding, free counseling for all staff, and unlimited free coffee courtesy of Café UTEC! Please see www.utecinc.org/jobs for more details.

Please apply through our website: https://utecinc.applytojob.com/apply/Q4CXMUzrPZ/Policy-Manager?source=nrg

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,000.00 - $65,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person

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