Director of Public Policy

Full Job Description

About the Organization

The California Child Care Resource & Referral Network (Network) is a membership organization of the state-funded child care resource and referral (R&R) programs in California. It addresses the needs of parents and child care providers throughout California. The Network works with the state-funded child care resource and referral agencies in all counties in California to inform families about quality child care, assist child care providers in serving their communities, and encourage positive policy changes on local, state, and federal levels.

The Network’s budget is approximately $7M, with approximately 70% of the funding coming from state contracts. The Network has an experienced, committed management team and approximately 30 full-time staff. For more information about the Network, visit www.rrnetwork.org.

About the Public Policy Director Position

The Network is seeking an experienced policy professional to lead, plan, organize, and coordinate the organization’s advocacy work. The Director will work in partnership with the Network’s senior management and Public Policy Committee to strategically guide the Network and its member agencies in budget and legislative analysis and in public policy education and advocacy efforts. The Director will also work with the Network’s Lobbyist, when engaged. This position requires the employee to be present in Sacramento up to 80% of the time.

The ideal candidate understands the child care system in California, the critical role of child care resource and referral agencies within the statewide infrastructure, and the importance of the Network as a statewide leader. We are seeking someone who is an astute listener and a hands-on, collaborative leader who can skillfully build effective internal and external relationships to execute strategies and tactics to reach the organization’s audiences—advocates, policymakers, media, and funders. They must also be committed to the Network’s work to center race, gender, economic, and social equity.

This position manages the Policy department, supervises one staff member, and reports to the Senior Director of Member Services.

Job Responsibilities

Public Policy Planning and Development

• Facilitate the development of the Network’s public policy agenda with the Public Policy Committee, in alignment with the Network’s mission.
• Develop strategies and seek solutions for policy issues aligned with the policy agenda and important to the Network and member agencies.
• Review and analyze the Governor’s budget proposals for impacts on children, families, child care providers, member R&R programs, and programs administered by the Network, and prepare the Network’s response and position.
• Review, monitor, and analyze legislation and regulations that impact children, families, child care providers, and R&R programs, and prepare the Network’s response and position.
• Summarize in writing budget and legislative analyses in a clear and accessible manner to be shared with R&R members and partner organizations in a timely fashion.
• Prepare and present testimony, provide information and resources, and professionally represent the Network at hearings, advocacy events, and other public forums.
• Write position papers, letters, fact sheets, and editorials and work with the Research Manager to assemble other documents related to public policy issues and advocacy positions.
• Create and manage systems to track information about key issues and policymakers.

Network Development and Relationships

• Build and maintain relationships with members, partner organizations, coalitions, foundations, and associations to advance policy goals.
• Communicate budget and legislative analyses to member R&Rs through conference calls, webinars, regional meetings, training, and technical assistance.
• Develop strong relationships with state and congressional elected officials, policymakers, and state and federal program administrators in early childhood.
• Coordinate and collaborate with advocates for children, families, and child care providers, including coalitions, partner organizations, and public agencies.
• Respond to requests for information from members, partners, and policymakers.

Public Policy Education & Communications

• Establish a presence with legislative staff and State Departments to enhance the Network’s understanding and communicate concerns on budget, legislation, regulations, and policy issues.
• Provide policy updates at member meetings, both virtually and in person.
• Coordinate events such as R&R Advocacy Day and Child Care Aware of America legislative visits during the annual symposium.
• Develop and facilitate policy-related sessions at conferences and member meetings.
• Provide training, toolkits, and resources to help R&R members build advocacy skills.
• Establish relationships with media contacts and other stakeholders to enhance the Network’s public policy agenda.
• Work collaboratively with the Communications Coordinator to create media/social media advocacy messaging.
• Ensure advocacy messaging is understood, coordinated, and consistent across Network teams.

General

• Demonstrate effective leadership with a clear vision for the department while adapting to a rapidly changing child care landscape.
• Establish the Network’s physical footprint (working presence) in the Sacramento area.
• Manage any work with the Network’s paid lobbyists or political consultants (if contracted).

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the child care field.
• Master’s degree in Child Development, Education, Public Policy, or Public Administration (preferred).
• Experience in or knowledge of child care resource and referral programs is desirable.
• Experience with a local, state, or federal agency or as a contractor of public funds in early education is a plus.
• Understanding of California child care regulations and early childhood systems is a plus.
• Demonstrated experience advocating for public policy change or legislation.
• Experience building partnerships and forging consensus among stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to convey complex concepts clearly.
• Ability to research and synthesize legislative and policy issues, reports, and data.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and prioritize work effectively.
• Strong computer literacy.
• Excellent interpersonal and human relation skills.
• Strong listening skills and ability to synthesize information to match advocacy priorities.
• Willingness to travel within California 4–6 times per year and outside California 1–2 times per year.

Position Details

• Title: Director of Public Policy
• Employment Type: Full-Time, 40 hours/week, Exempt
• Location: Remote when not physically in Sacramento (requires up to 80% of time in Sacramento)
• Salary: $91,600 – $114,500 annually
• Benefits:
  • Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
  • 403(b) retirement plan (after 2 years)
  • Vacation and sick time
  • 11 paid holidays plus the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day

Application Deadline

February 7, 2025

Application Process

To apply, please send a resume and cover letter indicating the position for which you are applying via email to [email protected]. Candidates invited to interview will be required to complete a Network Job Application, available at https://rrnetwork.org/about/careers.

The California Child Care Resource & Referral Network is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

Job Type

• Full-time
• Pay: $91,600 – $114,500 per year