Policy Associate, Mississippi

The SPLC is Seeking a Mississippi Policy Associate

The SPLC is seeking a Mississippi Policy Associate committed to racial justice and passionate about public policy advocacy. The Policy Associate implements SPLC and SPLC Action Fund policy campaigns under the direction of the Policy Director. They track, review, and analyze legislation, lobby legislators and local elected officials on issues of importance, and engage with directly impacted people, allied partner organizations, and supporters in Mississippi to achieve desired outcomes in each of our priority impact areas.

Who You Are

Experienced. Demonstrated experience in public policy with knowledge and local and/or state advocacy expertise on issues related to poverty, democracy, juvenile justice, and DEI/anti-inclusive education.

Effective Communicator. Skilled in articulating ideas, problems, and solutions, in both written and oral presentations, to audiences across the political ideological spectrum.

Thoughtful and Analytical. Ability to be a strategic, forward thinker who can facilitate meetings with stakeholders.

Efficient. Ability to effectively manage time while working in a fast-paced environment often with competing deadlines and varied assignments. Must be able to pivot from one assignment to another to accomplish goals and timely complete assignments.

Collaborative. Demonstrated ability to work in partnership with people of diverse backgrounds, including internal departments, external organizations, and stakeholders, to execute specific policy strategies to advance the work of the policy department.

Mission, Vision & Culture Alignment. Demonstrated awareness for SPLC’s mission and vision; and a commitment to ideals of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion and fostering an anti-racist work culture and antiracist principles and learning.

What You’ll Do

• Assist State Policy Director, Mississippi in designing, planning, and implementing state and local policy campaigns in alignment with our strategic priorities.
• Coordinate meetings with SPLC’s partners and build or strengthen coalitions that center, and uplift the input of, directly impacted persons.
• Communicate with advocacy partners and supporters regarding relevant issues and action items.
• Work collaboratively with departments to develop educational resources that inform legislators, agency officials, stakeholders, and the public to advance SPLC’s policy objectives. Work product assignments will include developing factsheets and talking points, drafting amendments or model legislation, providing testimony, conducting media interviews, and sharing internal updates, among other deliverables.
• Assist the State Policy Director in reviewing proposed legislation, communicate with SPLC’s programmatic and legal teams, and track bills of interest.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.
• Uphold our JEDI principles by seeking diverse collaborators and partners that can deliver genuine, authentic, and impactful work while ensuring their contributions are directed towards the shared mission, vision, and values of the center and department’s goals.

Minimum Qualifications

We are committed to equitable hiring practices; therefore you must meet the minimum qualifications to be considered for the role.

• At least five (5) years of policy campaigns and familiarity with the legislative process.
• High School diploma or GED.

Compensation & Additional Information

This is an exempt role and the minimum starting salary is $82,432.00 annually. Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Click here to view the benefits available to SPLC staff.

Where and How You’ll Work

This role has the following work designation options:

• Local Remote: Will work remotely, but is expected to attend work-related activities that occur at the SPLC offices or in the states in which the SPLC operates.
• Telework: Will work at an SPLC office at least three days per week and may work two days per week from an alternative work location.

This role reports to the Policy Director, Mississippi.

Other Special Considerations

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

This position is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.

Disclaimer

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally without regard to age, caregiver status, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, marital status, national origin, on the basis of genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, or veteran status.

Learn more here