About the organization: Compass Family Services is a 100+ year old nonprofit working on the front lines of San Francisco's homeless crisis. We provide families experiencing or at risk of homelessness with comprehensive support to address immediate needs and ensure long-term success.

Reports to: Director of Strategic Initiatives

Salary range: $38 to $41 per hour (equivalent to $75-80k annually) plus generous benefits

Schedule: Full time, Monday-Friday

Location: 37 Grove Street, San Francisco. Option to work 1-2 days per week remotely.

Organizational Core Competencies: Accountable / Adaptable / Client-centered / Collaborative / Committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging / Resourceful

Position Summary: The Policy Associate works closely with the Director of Policy to organize and implement Compass Family Services' policy and systems change strategy. This person holds projects to further Compass' effort to: 1) influence family homelessness policy dialogue and direction at the local and state levels, 2) keep family homelessness in the forefront of public thought, 3) build grassroots power in San Francisco communities impacted by family homelessness.

Government and Community Relations

• Develop an understanding of family homelessness and other issue areas relevant to Compass' work, on local, regional, state and national levels.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with local non-profit leaders and partner agencies, policy makers, leading experts and other constituents that are important to the development and execution of Compass' policy agenda.
• Participate in relevant coalitions, committees, and forums.
• Work with Compass leadership to advocate for Compass' Policy Agenda before external constituencies at the local, regional, state and/or national levels.
• Play a leadership role in developing agendas and briefings related to the meetings.

Policy Research

• Research and author policy briefs and external communications related to Compass' direct service programs and the social safety net systems impacting the lives of families in Compass programs.
• Design and execute qualitative research to gather lived experience expertise from families in Compass programs to refine Compass' policy work.
• Work in close partnership with Compass' Impact and Learning team to consolidate best practice learnings from across the agency's programs and communicate them externally.

Advocacy

• Support Compass' budget and policy advocacy work by attending public hearings, giving public comment, and coordinating with families involved in Compass programs to engage in legislative and budget processes.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Knowledge of family homelessness and the political landscape in San Francisco with 2 years of experience in a related field
• Bachelor's degree in public policy or social welfare, or a related field, helpful but not required
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to convene and lead meetings, deliver presentations, give speeches, and represent Compass to external audiences
• Project management skills – ability to manage large, long-term, complex projects
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging work.
• Bilingual English/ Spanish a plus

Compensation and Benefits:

• Compensation: $38 to $41 per hour (equivalent to $75-80k annually)
• Paid time off: 4 weeks of vacation your first year, increasing to 5 in your second. Also paid holidays, sick time, family leave, time off for education.
• Insurance: health, dental and vision insurance are fully covered by Compass for employees and dependent children. We also provide long term disability and life insurance.
• Retirement: after one year of work, Compass contributes an amount equal to 5% of your salary into a retirement account which vests over years 2-6.
• Membership in OPEIU/Local 29 union.

Additional Details:

• Office location: 37 Grove St., less than a block from Civic Center BART/MUNI station
• Option to work 1 day per week remotely to start, possibly increasing to 2 days per week longer term.
• Covid vaccination required for all staff.
• Work is primarily Mon-Fri during standard working hours; some evenings and/or weekends as needed to attend events.

To Apply:

Please apply through our online application.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively seek to recruit a diverse workforce. Employees must embrace the idea that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging contribute to the success of our underserved communities, and therefore to shared prosperity in our city and region. Compass Family Services is committed to the continuous work of implementing specific actions that will disrupt systemic prejudice and improve equity across programs and departments, to become an example to partners who also believe in a culture of inclusion that leverages diversity.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act and California civil rights law, Compass Family Services will provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or candidate with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship for the agency. Requests for reasonable accommodation apply to all aspects of the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please use the answer box for the final question of the job application to let us know.