National Center for Youth Law

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) works to amplify youth power, dismantle racism and other structural inequities, and build just policies, practices, and culture in support of young people. Our efforts advance justice through research, community collaboration, impact litigation, and policy advocacy that fundamentally transforms our nation's approach to education, health, immigration, foster care, and youth justice. Our vision is a world in which every young person thrives and has a full and fair opportunity to achieve the future they envision for themselves. 

The Team 

The Compassionate Education Systems (CES) initiative at NCYL aims to improve the educational outcomes of young people experiencing homelessness, involved in the foster care system, and/or on juvenile probation. This initiative operates at systems, youth, and community levels to ensure students experience compassion by the many adults entrusted to support them and are supported on their path to graduate from high school and the many opportunities ahead of them.  This role will work closely with SchoolHouse Connection and other closely connected coalition partners. 

Position 

NCYL seeks a Senior Program and Policy Manager to lead a statewide coalition to ensure that students experiencing homelessness receive the timely attention, compassion, resources, and support they need to remain engaged in school and learning and on a pathway to graduation. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who is knowledgeable and passionate about youth homelessness to do interesting and impactful engagement, movement-building, and policy work. 

Essential Functions 

• Drive the development, execution, and implementation of CES’s coalition and legislative priorities, including to advance graduation equity for students experiencing homelessness 
• Lead and facilitate a statewide coalition of passionate advocates and practitioners dedicated to students experiencing homelessness  
• Research, draft, and uplift action alerts and advocacy talking points to the coalition to advance legislative goals 
• Develop and sustain strong, collaborative partnerships with external partners 
• Create and implement tools and processes to help local education agencies with implementation 
• Monitor the legislative process to identify opportunities and challenges to advocate for students experiencing homelessness. 

Salary, Benefits and Location 

This is a full-time, exempt position. Salary is competitive at $122,731.00 annually if located in the Los Angeles or San Francisco Bay metro areas, or $110,406.00 annually if located in the Sacramento or equivalent areas. If located anywhere else in California, a geographic salary differential will be applied for places where the cost of labor is less than San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles or Sacramento. 

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

Candidates must be currently living in, or willing to move to, California.  

This position is eligible for 100% remote work through December 31, 2024. It is possible that starting in January of 2025, NCYL will require people to work in an office, in which case they will need to be in a location where they can commute to a NCYL office regularly (Los Angeles, Oakland, or Sacramento).

How to Apply 

Please submit a cover letter and resume at the link below. No phone calls or emails, please.

Apply at: https://recruiting.paylocity.com/Recruiting/Jobs/Details/1976528

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.

Qualifications 

• A JD is preferred, but not required 
• Seven (7) or more years of work experience. If a JD, seven (7) or more years of experience since law school  
• Knowledge of and experience with California state policy 
• Has been involved with passing bills in California within the last five (5) years 
• Familiarity and expertise with the California legislative process and cycle 
• Strong understanding of the McKinney-Vento Act and education funding  
• Familiarity with the policies and issues surrounding homeless youth 
• Experience with successfully planning and leading coalitions of internal and external stakeholders, cultivating strong relationships, and creating partnerships at all organizational levels to achieve results 
• Understanding of grassroots organizing and movement-building 
• Experience in planning and facilitating community outreach, meetings, and training after bill passage 
• A proven track record of producing positive outcomes in a complex political environment  
• 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 
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills and a strong ability to tailor communication style to diverse audiences 
• Ability to use or quickly learn technological platforms such as Zoom/Webex, social media platforms, Google Drive, and SharePoint 
• 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. 

About National Center for Youth Law

The National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) works to amplify youth power, dismantle racism and other structural inequities, and build just policies, practices, and culture in support of young people. Our efforts advance justice through research, community collaboration, impact litigation, and policy advocacy that fundamentally transforms our nation's approach to education, health, immigration, foster care, and youth justice. Our vision is a world in which every young person thrives and has a full and fair opportunity to achieve the future they envision for themselves.

Connections working at National Center for Youth Law