Public Policy & Communications Internship

POSITION SUMMARY

The Center for Children & Youth Justice, founded in 2006 by Justice Bobbe J. Bridge (ret.), is committed to reforming Washington's juvenile justice and child welfare systems.

CCYJ leads communities, our state, and the nation in empowering children and youth, stabilizing families, and strengthening communities through meaningful and lasting reform.

CCYJ identifies gaps in the system, researches, develops innovative and creative solutions, and ensures that policymakers integrate these system improvements into practices and procedures.

CCYJ's results are realized into state law, adopted as standing protocols by the courts, schools, and other partners; and they are developed into new interventions for at-risk, abused and / or neglected children and their families.

CCYJ has succeeded in driving positive systems change for more than a decade. Following an extensive national search, our Board of Directors appointed our second President and CEO Rachel Sottile in late 2018.

Our passionate staff is deeply committed to the youth for whom we advocate.

The Public Policy & Communications Intern assists and supports aspects of CCYJ's design and implementation of public policy.

This position will use a race equity lens to support in the identification, tracking, analysis, and registration of CCYJ's positions of public policy proposals, activities, and other outcomes impacting CCYJ's mission;

and support in policy research and education. In addition, the Intern will support the understanding of current events by keeping in touch with recent news, social media, and other narratives related to the mission, and also develop external policy communication tools that showcase CCYJ's reform work.

This is a temporary, part-time position from September 2024 through May 2025.

This position will typically work an average of 12-16 hours per week. During the legislative session, between January - March 2025, weekly work hours may exceed 16 on occasion but will not exceed 20 hours.

The intern will be expected to monitor legislation on a daily basis.

CCYJ's offices are located in Seattle, Washington.

This position will be set up to work in a hybrid setting (combination of home office and in-office) and may be subject to change at any time at the discretion of the CEO / President.

CCYJ'S CULTURE EMBRACES

• We are committed to a diverse, fully self-expressed workforce, representing the communities in which we serve.
• We are committed to examining our own internal structures, policies, and culture, identifying and eliminating those aspects that promulgate racism
• Together we are transparent, accountable, respectful, and self-aware in order to foster belonging and a sense of community.
• We operate with an innovative and leading-edge mindset.
• We are purpose driven and laser sharp in the fulfillment of our mission.
• Our staff embraces a growth mindset; our development is essential to expand and grow our impact for children and youth in WA.
• We produce results, not reasons.
• We (believe) anything is possible.
• We believe everyone has something to contribute.
• We believe everything happens out of your relationship with other people.
• We are grounded in the premise that great ideas can come from anyone at any time.
• We believe people up to big things are going to make big mistakes. We own them, learn from them, and move on.
• We believe transparency is essential to a highly functioning organization.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

Reports to : Public Policy, Training, Technical Assistance, & Capacity Building Manager

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

None.

FLSA STATUS

This position is considered non-exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is therefore eligible for overtime pay.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The examples of essential functions listed below are intended as illustrations of the types of work that may be performed.

The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position. Duties and responsibilities are also subject to change by CCYJ as the needs of the organization and requirements of the job shift over time.

PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH & ANALYSIS

• Assist and support in the identification, tracking, and analysis of public policy proposals, activities, and decisions / outcomes impacting CCYJ's mission, including but not limited to legislation, rule-making, impact litigation, and agency level policy changes, through working closely with partners and stakeholders, attending relevant coalition meetings, reviewing relevant publications and listservs, and researching online sources.
• Monitor partners and stakeholders' positions on and engagement with policy proposals, activities, and decisions / outcomes.
• Keep CCYJ leadership and staff apprised of policy proposals, activities, and decisions / outcomes, and provide overviews and analyses.
• Support the management and facilitation of internal CCYJ policy, strategy, and alignment meetings.
• Complete discrete research assignments as assigned.

PUBLIC POLICY EDUCATION & COMMUNICATIONS

• Assist and support in the registration of CCYJ's positions on public policy proposals and activities, which may include activities related to cultivating and maintaining relationships with stakeholders, educating agency and elected officials, signing on in support or opposition to proposed legislation, and managing the process of signing on to amicus briefs or advocacy letters.
• Track and keep in touch with recent news, social media, and other narratives related to the mission.
• Prepare meeting materials, including meeting agendas, minutes, and handouts, as needed.
• Support the drafting of, draft, and / or provide testimony, letters, white papers, one-pagers, and other strategic communications in support of or opposition to policy proposals and that showcase CCYJ's reform work as needed.
• Support the organization and facilitation of CCYJ driven policy coalition meetings and other meetings with partners and stakeholders regarding policy as needed.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of policy goals and objectives.
• Participate in coalition work and advocacy spaces as appropriate.
• Support efforts to engage, elevate, and amplify the voices of people most impacted by our state systems and systemic / structural racism, keeping their voices and perspectives at the forefront of all policy, strategy, and program work.

Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS : EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Experience

• Demonstrated knowledge in the fields of public policy, public administration, juvenile justice, child welfare, homelessness, community engagement, education, and / or positive youth development.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to flex communication style to multiple cultural environments.
• Understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on BIPOC communities.
• Experience supporting the implementation of policy reform work desired.
• Lived experience in the child welfare, homelessness, and / or youth criminal legal system(s) desired.

Skills And Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to work independently completing assigned duties in a timely and efficient manner while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to listen to others and communicate honestly, responsibly and professionally; in writing, verbally, and electronically.
• Commitment to impeccability and integrity.
• Technologically savvy and knowledgeable including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite and Google apps.

COACHABILITY

• Able to work in a team environment and has the courage to communicate openly and honestly
• Possess a growth mindset : the willingness to be coached and to develop to increase effectiveness, collaboration, and produce results
• Adaptable
• High functioning sense of humor, humility, and emotional intelligence
• Foster a culture of integrity, service, adaptability, innovation, and responsibility

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This position requires the manual dexterity sufficient to operate phones, computers, and other office equipment, and the ability to sit and to use a computer for significant periods of time.
• This person must speak clearly using the English language to accurately convey information.
• Generally good working conditions with little or no exposure to extremes in noises, temperature.
• Little or no safety or health hazards.
• Minimal lifting or climbing.
• Work performed in an office setting as applicable determined by activities.

COMPENSATION

The hourly wage for this placement opportunity is $22.00 per hour. CCYJ also offers parking or ORCA reimbursement.

TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information on our website : https : / / center-for-children-youth-justice.breezy.hr /

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We value a diverse workforce.