Public Policy Advocate II

Equitable and Inclusive Hiring at Disability Rights California (DRC)

At Disability Rights California (DRC) we are committed to creating an equitable accessible and inclusive experience for all applicants. Below weve outlined important details to ensure you feel fully supported throughout the hiring process.

Examples of reasonable accommodations include:

• American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation
• Alternative formats for interview materials (e.g. large print Braille digital files)
• Interview questions provided prior to the interview
• Extended interview time
• A quiet or distraction-free interview setting
• Adjustments to the interview format for accessibility (e.g. pinning participants)
• Assistance with reading or note-taking during interviews

If you require an accommodation due to a disability to complete this application OR you are experiencing issues submitting your application and accompanying materials please e-mail: . Please note resume and cover letter are required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Location: Work from Home and our Sacramento Office. There is some travel required for this position.

JOB TITLE: Public Policy Advocate II

UNIT: Public Policy Unit

REPORTS TO: Associate Director of Public Policy

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Exempt Regular Full Time

SALARY RANGE: The salary range for this position is $68640 $86131. Please note that we base salary offers education experience plus an internal equity analysis.

BENEFITS

Our benefits include an 8% 401k Match when you contribute 3%. We offer Health Insurance (HMO Base and Buy Up Plans A PPO for Employees outside of the HMO area). A Health Reimbursement Account is available for some of our health plans. Dental vision basic life insurance long-term disability insurance and flexible spending accounts (medical dependent care and commuter). Additionally we offer paid vacation paid wellness time and eighteen paid holidays (including the last week in December). We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - eligible employer.

Application Due Date: This position is open until filled. Applications must be received by October 3 2025 to be considered for interviews. Please note that a resume and cover letter are reviewed and required. We will not consider applications without a resume and cover letter.

WHO WE ARE

Disability Rights California (DRC) defends advances and strengthens the rights and opportunities of people with disabilities.

DRC works for a world where all disabled people have power and are treated with dignity and this world people with disabilities are supported valued included in their communities afforded the same opportunities as people without disabilities and make their own decisions.

DRC values all forms of human diversity. We are committed to a culture of belonging where all people are order to be effective advocates for all people with disabilities we must address discrimination in all its forms including the unique challenges faced by people who experience the intersection of multiple systems of discrimination.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Public Policy Advocate II is part of the policy unit for Disability Rights California (DRC) and is responsible for legislative advocacy activities. The Public Policy Advocate II identifies monitors and advocates on legislative activities that affect disabled Californians; has proficient knowledge in multiple disability rights areas; and working knowledge of all areas covered by Disability Rights California.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions:

Legislative Advocacy 100%

- Independently identify and develop sponsored bill ideas.

- Draft and advocate on priority bills and/or budget items including DRC-sponsored legislation.

- Represent DRC through the legislative process: advocate consult and negotiate with legislators and their staff committee consultants administrative department heads and their staff and other stakeholders involved in the legislative process including other disability rights organizations and the disability community.

- Analyze and develop policy recommendations on policy and budget proposals with limited support from legal and advocacy staff.

- Draft position letters and amendments on complex bills and budget items. Testify as appropriate at legislative committee hearings.

- Engage in advocacy activities at the Capitol and within the disability community on issues of importance to the disability community.

- Act as a liaison and representative of DRC and build strong relationships with selected agencies task forces committees coalitions and community-based organizations related to areas of responsibility.

- Organize train and develop easy to understand materials on complex legislative matters for California grassroots constituencies to understand and respond to state and national issues and legislation.

- Support Disability Rights Californias efforts in the media on areas of expertise and work with the Director of Communications to identify legislative matters for the media.

Other Duties

- Limited travel as assigned.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

There are no supervisory responsibilities for this position.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to travel occasionally for activities such as out-of-town meetings trainings or policy activities up to 10% of the time.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

- A BA or BS degree in a relevant field plus at least one year of experience as a legislative staffer or advocate. (Two years additional legislative experience can be substituted for a degree.)

- Two years experience in any of the following areas: 1) legislative advocacy or legislative staffing; 2) community organizing; or 3) advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.

- Experience and ability to work effectively with a variety of organizations and individuals with diverse perspectives the public elected and appointed officials people with disabilities and governmental agencies especially at the state and local levels.

- Demonstrated understanding of legislative process and protocols and public policy issues regarding rights of and services for persons with disabilities and other public interest areas.

- Demonstrated ability to independently analyze complex legislation and draft related statements on behalf of the organization.

- Knowledge of public policy developments and laws at the local state and federal levels regarding rights of and services for people with disabilities.

- Ability to work collaboratively with other DRC staff community organizations agencies and the Legislature.

- Ability to analyze complex problems develop solutions and explain legislation so it is easily understood by people in the Legislature and the general public.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

- Bilingual: Spanish American Sign Language or an Asian language.

- Life experience as a person with a disability or connection to disability.

- J.D. or post graduate degree in related fields such as political science public administration or other subjects that provide foundation for legal analysis lobbying and drafting of legislation for people with disabilities.

- Experience working with and/or sensitivity to disabled people and/or experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons from multi-ethnic communities.

- Experience with CapitolTrack or other legislative tracking platforms.

- Demonstrated ability to draft sponsored bill language budget trailer bill language and bill amendments.

- Demonstrated ability to participate in stakeholder meetings and build relationships with government officials/offices to influence public policy.

- Contacts with disability organizations or within disability communities.

Licenses / Certificates

- Must be a registered lobbyist or become registered within 60 days of employment.

- Must attend Lobbyist Ethics Course.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job which can be performed with or without disability related reasonable accommodations. Duties are generally performed in an office environment and also in the State Capitol in legislative offices and public hearing rooms.