Senior Public Policy Officer

• Collaborate with the Chief People & Public Affairs Officer (CPPAO) to develop and implement a strategic civic health agenda aligned with KZCFs W.H.E.N. priority areas.
• Advises the CPPAO on advocacy strategy consistent with community foundation guidelines identifying opportunities to advance systems change through relationships with policymakers and civic leaders.
• Monitors local state and federal policy developments; coordinates appropriate actions within the scope allowable for community foundations; and connects this work to KZCFs strategic priorities.
• Co-develops and implements strategies for KZCFs nonpartisan education and engagement with policymakers and elected officials at all levels of government.
• Partners with the grantmaking team to understand current funding approaches identify gaps and inform strategies that build long-term community capacity and structural change centered on the priorities of those most impacted.
• Builds and sustains partnerships with internal teams and external stakeholders to integrate research nonpartisan analysis and advocacy efforts that strengthen civic participation in Kalamazoo County.
• Strengthens relationships with advocacy and organizing groups driving local systems change and supports the design and implementation of new strategic initiatives in collaboration with partners.
• Promotes the use of public education toolssuch as briefings meetings social media trainings and other innovative approachesto share information and advance equity across the community.
• Leads resident and partner engagement efforts including convenings events and participation on committees task forces and boards relevant to KZCFs policy and systems change priorities.
• Provides direction and oversight to interns fellows staff and consultants supporting assigned initiatives public policy and advocacy efforts.

• Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• Apply an equitable and anti-racist lens to all aspects of your work advancing our mission to create a thriving community grounded in racial social and economic justice.
• Embrace and integrate Kalamazoo Community Foundations commitment to anti-racism inclusion and healing acknowledging and addressing all forms of bias with humility and accountability.
• Demonstrate the abilityand willingness to examine personal and systemic bias including around race gender age ability and identity fostering a workplace rooted in love learning and growth.
• Engage with emotional intelligence and resilience in conversations about power privilege and oppression cultivating transformative relationships that support healing and justice.
• Lead and collaborate with joy authenticity and a deep dedication to serving the greater good contributing meaningfully to our vision of a more equitable Kalamazoo County.

• Support the mission vision and strategic goals through excellent job performance to best serve the community.
• Follow and support KZCF policies and procedures.
• Regularly reflect on own performance and assume responsibility for professional development and learning.
• Maintain current knowledge of all changes affecting area of work. This may include maintaining process documentation for clarity and consistency.
• Conduct self in a professional manner and follows and supports the core values commitments and behaviors.
• Maintain appropriate professional appearance and confidentiality consistent with KZCF policies.

• As directed by your department Chief regularly represent KZCF at community-based meetings and events including evening and weekend engagements throughout the year.
• As scheduled by KZCF Leadership actively participate in meetings committees and volunteer opportunities within the organization.
• Consistently apply an anti-racism analysis and engage with others in support of learning ways to advance collective understanding and skills.
• Collaborate effectively as a team member and individual contributor to achieve KZCF Strategic Goals through consistent department updates and organizational strategic plan meetings.
• Provide proactive creative cross-functional thinking and ideas to enhance services to the community through supervisor 1:1 department meetings and organizational wide meetings.
• Ability to work both independently as a team member and with a broad range of constituencies. This includes a demonstrated ability to effectively interact communicate and collaborate with people from all cultural backgrounds.

• Bachelors degree in public administration public policy or a related field or an equivalent combination of training and relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in public policy government relations or nonprofit advocacy including direct engagement with policymakers civic leaders and advocacy organizations on policy or systemschangeinitiatives.
• Ability to read interpret and analyze policy briefs legislation and regulatory documents and to distill complex information into clear actionable insights for diverse audiences.
• Deep understandinganddemonstratedcommitment to advancingracialsocialand economic justicethrough policy and practice.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively across teams and with external partners to set goals develop strategies and adapt to evolving priorities and contexts.
• Strong ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and credibly to diverse audiences build trust and foster productive dialogue.
• Creative and strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solvingskills;brings imagination and an entrepreneurial approach to systems change work.
• Demonstrates high emotional intelligence and a collegial approach with the capacity to work effectively under pressure and within an evolving legislative landscape to build relationships and support collaboration.
• Proficient with standard business and communication software including Microsoft Office Suite policy tracking tools and related software.

• While working virtually the remote environment must have consistent access to high-speed internet free from distractions confidential space and workspace must be safe and free from hazards.
• Work in well-lit pleasant smoke-free office.
• Occasionally requires physical activity including heavy lifting and other strenuous tasks as required by KZCF operations.
• Must be able to sit for long periods of time including ones entire shift.
• Frequent requirement to stand; walk; use hands to finger handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Frequently involves extended workdays and periodically involves irregular work hours.
• Regular group and public speaking.
• Occasional work at multiple sites travel and/or overnight work schedules.
• Requires attention to detail and ability to concentrate on figures paperwork data etc.
• Frequent pressures related to meeting deadlines and fulfilling scheduling requirements.
• Frequent distracting influences such as people phone calls noise and so forth.
• Frequent simultaneous handling of multiple tasks and intermittent or cyclical work pressures.
• Occasionally requires on-call availability to handle work problems emergencies/crisis situations etc.

Required Experience:

Senior IC