Public Policy Director

The Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) provides leadership, advocacy, and support to address and prevent sexual violence. CCASA was founded in 1984 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit to be the collective voice of rape crisis advocates across the state of Colorado. As a statewide coalition, CCASA supports our members, partners, and the broader community through technical assistance, training, information and referrals, educational materials, statewide systems change, and public policy education and advocacy.

CCASA values diverse life experience and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color and people who are bilingual/bicultural, identify as LGBTQIA, and/or have disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Public Policy Director

The Public Policy Director develops and implements CCASA’s public policy agenda, both statewide and nationally; educates CCASA members, decision makers, and the public about public policy issues; and serves as a representative of CCASA with elected and government officials, stakeholders, and statewide and national groups.

This position requires occasional statewide and national travel. Due to the nature of the work, which requires a frequent presence at the State Capitol, this position is based in Denver. CCASA has a flexible workplace policy that allows for telecommuting when job duties do not require an in-person presence.

Job Responsibilities:

Policy and Systems Advocacy

• Develop, research, analyze, track, and advocate on key public policy issues related to sexual violence, statewide and nationally.
• Connect with and engage CCASA’s members and key stakeholders in order to ensure that CCASA’s public policy work is informed by the perspectives of diverse communities and is culturally relevant.
• Work with the Executive Director, Policy Committee, CCASA members, Lobbyist, and other staff and partners to establish and promote public policy priorities.
• Develop and maintain relationships with elected officials, legislative and committee staff, and government officials and staff.
• Coordinate with national partners, including the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence, to support public policy efforts at the federal level and implement national public policy efforts at the state level.
• Work with the Communications and Community Engagement Manager to develop, organize, and implement events and other opportunities for demonstrating membership and grassroots support for CCASA’s public policy priorities.
• Provide support to members and survivors who engage in public policy activities.
• Represent CCASA with elected and government officials, members of the media, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent CCASA on statewide boards/committees/taskforces, as assigned.

Education and Training

• Work with the Executive Director, Communications and Community Engagement Manager, and other staff to develop and implement communications and public relations strategies to educate members, stakeholders, decision makers, and the public in order to promote CCASA’s public policy priorities; including action alerts, talking points, factsheets, issue briefs, reports, op-eds, and policy-related social media posts.
• Provide support, consultation, technical assistance, and training to members and partners in order to assist them with responding to and preventing sexual violence, especially in relation to public policy changes and implementation.

Other Duties

• Assist with and participate in CCASA events, including the annual SAAM Kick-Off at the Capitol, Colorado Denim Day, and the Colorado Advocacy in Action Conference.
• Help inform CCASA’s developing understanding and integration of culturally-relevant, empowerment- and strength-based strategies within an anti-oppression and social justice framework.
• Track activities and complete required documentation, and assist with the preparation of grant reports.
• Supervise and support interns/volunteers.
• Provide input on relevant program and project budgets, as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: 

• 8 years of related professional work experience and a Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, or similar area; experience and education may be swapped on a year-for-year basis.
• Knowledge of/experience with public policy and systems change, including legislative advocacy.
• Knowledge of/experience with sexual violence, social justice, and anti-oppression work.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, multi-task, and identify and respond to shifting priorities and deadlines.
• Must be flexible, organized, detailed oriented, and self-motivated.
• Must have strong communications skills in order to convey complex concepts, research, and analysis in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with others who have diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
• Demonstrated success with managing and implementing complex projects.
• Experience and comfort with public speaking, including speaking with public officials and the press.
• Experience and comfort with providing training.
• Experience with facilitating meetings and event/meeting planning and management.
• Proficiency with technology and platforms required for the functions of the position, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Commitment to grappling with the complexities of societal power and privilege in order to understand how multiple forms of oppression (racism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, etc.) intersect with CCASA’s work to end sexual violence.
• Comfort with working in a small, team-oriented environment.
• Enthusiasm about promoting the mission, vision, and values of CCASA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Existing relationships with members of the Colorado General Assembly.
• Experience with/knowledge of victim service systems within Colorado.
• Experience working with/supporting survivors of sexual violence.

 

Starting Salary: $70,000 – $72,000 annually DOE
Benefits: Generous PTO and holidays; 100% employer paid premiums for employee medical, dental, and vision insurance; employer retirement contribution; flexible workplace
Work Status: Full-Time; Exempt
Work Schedule: Schedule may vary to meet job demands; some evenings and weekends are required; some overnight travel is required
Location: Denver
Reports to: Executive Director

 

Application Instructions:

Please email a cover letter, resume, and answers to supplemental questions (see below) as separate attachments to brie@ccasa.org with “Public Policy Director” in subject line.

Instructions for Supplemental Questions: Briefly answer the following questions using no more than 3 pages total, typed, 12pt Times New Roman font.

• Why do you want to work at CCASA?
• How do your knowledge, skills, and experience fit with the job responsibilities and requirements?
• What are some urgent or emerging public policy issues related to sexual violence?

 

Position open until filled. Review of applications will begin Monday, June 21st.