Policy Associate (Orange County)


JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Policy Associate (Orange County)

Division: Policy Department

FLSA: Non-Exempt – Full Time

Reports to: President & Chief Executive Officer

Location: Orange, CA

Rate: $25.00 per hour

Revised: January 2025

 

SUMMARY

The TransLatin@ Coalition (TLC), a nonprofit organization, has been growing steadily and seeks to continue growth and sustainability in the Orange County area. Reporting to the CEO directly but working collaboratively with the OC Center Coordinator, this entry-level position is an integral member of the policy and communications team and is housed at TLC’s Orange County Center. The Policy Associate (PA) assists the organization in working towards our goal of being a catalyst for social and structural change for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) people by utilizing a transformative policy platform in the Orange County area. The Policy Associate is responsible for advocating for and implementing TLC’s legislative and public policy strategies related to specific priority issues in Orange County. The Policy Associate will research, analyze, and advocate for trans-specific policies and services in the Orange County area and help to implement TransLatin@ Coalition’s #TransPolicyAgenda; present at hearings, workshops, and conferences; set up meetings with elected officials and engage staff; program, and partner organizations in TLC’s advocacy work. The ideal candidate will be an outstanding advocate who can effectively convey the mission, policies, and advocacy efforts of The TransLatin@ Coalition to various constituencies, ranging from policymakers to local community members. The work will center in Orange County but will play a role in contributing to the state and national discourse around ‘trans’ politics, focusing on proactive, innovative, and strategic policies to proactively address issues including but not limited to immigration detention and deportation, employment, HIV and AIDS, healthcare access, violence prevention, sex work, criminalization and incarceration, housing, and poverty.  This is a six-month performance probationary period upon hiring.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Attendance and punctuality. 

  • Work with the CEO in their daily activities and tasks, such as legislative research, note taking, and participating in coalition calls, calls with partner organizations, and local and statewide government meetings and convenings.

  • Assisting in coordinating coalitions in Orange County, working with local electeds to move toward county and statewide policy change, and participating regularly, lending expertise around strategy and implementation of legislation and policies.

  • Monitoring and implementing the organizational #TransPolicyAgenda, regularly seeking local and statewide policy change opportunities, and strategizing with organizational partners to coordinate legislative campaigns.

  • Work collaboratively with our staff at TLC’s Orange County center.

  • Engage TGI communities in Orange County to be empowered and advocate. 

  • Planning and implementing legislative strategies, analyzing and drafting legislation, working with state and local policymakers, preparing and presenting testimony, and supporting advocacy through public education and public policy campaigns, as well as engaging TransLatin@ Coalition members, community stakeholders, and leaders to advance TransLatin@’s strategic priorities.

  • Leading public education and community engagement efforts to increase the participation of transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGI) community members within the public policy process.

  • Working to increase the visibility of TLC’s local and statewide policy work in local, state, and national media outlets to increase public support of specific policy issues.

  • Participating in local and state government meetings and convenings, uplifting specific community issues and organizational policy priorities.

  • Exceptional initiative, vision, and ability to develop and implement short and long-term integrated legislative and advocacy strategies.

  • Exceptional strategic planning, analytical, research, writing, and oral advocacy skills

  • Ability to synthesize complex issues and communicate them effectively to diverse audiences, including elected officials’ attorneys, advocates, impacted communities, and in particular
    TransLatin@ and other immigrant groups, other supporters, and the public.

  • Able to communicate with elected officials and set up appointments to address issues related to trans and gender-expansive people in Orange County and throughout the state of California.

  • Must have legitimate transportation and current insurance to be able to run occasional errands, appointments, and out-of-office site visits as needed.  

  • Other duties as assigned by the CEO.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Knowledge, Skills, and Ability

  • Bachelor’s Degree in public policy, Social Work, Psychology, or Public Health-related fields or a minimum of at least 5 years of working with people of trans and gender-expansive experience and understanding policy needs of trans and gender-expansive people.   

  • Proof of employment eligibility, valid California Driver’s License and/or California Identification, and yearly automobile insurance.

  • Updated tuberculosis test (annual requirement) – read, reviewed, and dated by a clinician 6 months before employment.

  • Ability to coordinate multiple projects & tasks simultaneously in a high-pressure environment.

  • Ability to master a wide range of information, take initiative, and adapt to a team environment.

  • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, both in English & Spanish, preferred but not required.

  • Ability to work with diverse communities (e.g., multi-gender, ethnic, generation, monolingual Spanish speakers, Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, substance, homeless, etc.).

  • Experience and knowledge of PC hardware and software (Windows, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel a must).

  • Ability to competently conduct training, presentations, and workshops and coordinate policy-related activities.

  • Knowledgeable about trans and gender-expansive culture.

  • Work weekends or evenings and special events as needed.

 

NON-ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS - Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Experience and knowledge of MS Access and Gmail Suite.

  • Bilingual in Spanish and English is preferred.

  • Knowledge of specific policy needs and issues of TGI people.

  • Understanding how policy meetings are managed keeping notes, and ensuring there is continuous follow-up on pending items.

  • Excellent writing and reading skills.

 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

  • Ergonomically safe office environment with desktop computer, desk, chair, and natural light from windows.

  • Occasional attendance at community events, conferences, and other policy-related meeting venues. Must be comfortable with environmental conditions at the event locations, such as noise level, aggressive patrons, and substance use and abuse.

  • As part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and productive work environment, candidates for this position may be required to undergo random drug tests. The drug test may be conducted at any stage of the hiring process and will be in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. While performing this job, the incumbent typically spends time sitting, standing, walking, frequently driving, carrying (max.20lbs), lifting (max. 20lbs), listening, and speaking.

 

MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

  • The candidate in this position must accommodate any/all the following: constant distractions, interruptions, uncontrollable changes in priorities/work schedules, availability for on-call/duty after regular working hours, and exposure to inappropriate behavior and language of others.

 

BENEFITS

  • The following benefits are offered for full-time employees:

    • Employee Paid Medical – after a 60-day probationary period.

    • Employee Paid Dental – after a 60-day probationary period.

    • Employee Paid Vision – after a 60-day probationary period.

    • 403 (b) 100% with a match by the organization – after 90-days.

    • Personal Time – after 90-days.

    • Vacation Time – after 90-days.

    • Sabbatical Time – eligible after six consecutive years of employment.

 

How to apply

Please email your cover letter and resume to hr@translatinacoalition.org with the subject line Policy Associate (Orange County).


The TransLatin@ Coalition is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. TransLatin@ encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender expression, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, and veteran status.