GLSEN Arizona Inclusive Policy Advocacy Manager
Reports to: Arizona Director
Location: Arizona, with some travel within the state, limited national travel and regular travel to the Phoenix office required.
Position: Full-time (partially remote)
Annual Salary: Annual salary starting at $80,000 (plus benefits)
About GLSEN
GLSEN and its 40 local chapters work at the local, district, state, and federal level to create systems change in K-12 education in the U.S. Our work has produced measurable improvements in the lives of LGBTQ+ students in the United States, and helped establish new norms of support for LGBTQ+ students in the education world.
Since 2002, GLSEN Arizona has worked to create safe and affirming K-12 schools for all students, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We train educators and school administrators, support and strengthen student-led Gender/Sexuality Alliance (GSA) clubs, and work with school communities, lawmakers, and local stakeholders to reform and implement evidence-based LGBTQ-inclusive and affirming education law as well as school policies, practices and curriculum.
As part of the GLSEN National Chapter Network, we are in the midst of a major institutional transformation process which is striving to advance racial, gender, and disability justice. We are committed to building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment and believe that every member of our team enriches our diversity by contributing in a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions.
Position Sumary:
GLSEN Arizona is seeking to hire an Arizona Inclusive Policy Advocacy Manager responsible for leading our grassroots inclusive policy advocacy efforts at a hyper localized level. The incumbent will also take on the Arizona State Policy Fellow role as defined by GLSEN’s National Policy team. This is a new position at GLSEN Arizona, and the Inclusive Policy Advocacy Manager will initially spend time building systems and program infrastructure. The incumbent will also work closely with the GLSEN State Policy team.
The successful candidate will be an independent decision maker and with exceptional communication, analytical, strategic thinking, project management, and coalition-building skills.
Responsibilities:
- Identify and maintain information about harmful and helpful local and state policies affecting LGBTQ+ students in K-12 schools in Arizona.
- Increase awareness about GLSEN's model inclusive policies and research among policy makers, partner organizations, and members of the public.
- Educate school boards, state legislatures, chief state school officers, and governors to adopt affirming policies that support positive school transformation.
- Engage with LGBTQ+ youth in K-12 schools to understand their unique experiences as input into advocacy efforts.
- Equip students, educators, and community members with the knowledge and skills to advocate for LGBTQ+ students.
- Track concerning local (district-level) proposals and activity at school boards.
- Track relevant state legislation during legislative sessions.
- Help educate and activate Arizona community members regarding state legislation as it relates to GLSEN’s mission.
- Proactively build meaningful and authentic relationships with allied organizations and state stakeholder organizations.
- Advance GLSEN's public policy agenda through continued work with partner organizations.
- Represent GLSEN Arizona on appropriate committees, at roundtable meetings, and at local and statewide education, nonprofit, government, business and other meetings events related to inclusive policy advocacy.
Qualifications and Experience:
- 5 + years’ of experience in inclusive policy advocacy, educational institutions, or related fields.
- Community organizing experience is a plus.
- Knowledge of the Arizona education system and political landscape.
- Knowledge of issues facing and strengths of LGBTQ+ youth in all of their diversity in K-12 school communities.
- Existing relationships within the Arizona education system is a plus.
- Strong oral and written communications skills required.
- Strong ability to collaborate and work as a team is essential.
- Commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.
- Curiosity, initiative, and ability to improve or create new tools and systems for documenting and reporting in pursuit of organizational goals.
- Commitment to quality programs and data-driven program evaluation.
- Presentation, facilitation, and public speaking skills.
- Commitment to the values, principles, mission, and goals of GLSEN.
- Proficiency (or willingness to learn) in Google Drive (including Docs, Sheets, Slides, Forms) and other technologies.
Benefits:
GLSEN offers a generous benefits package, including: paid time off, paid holidays, medical, vision, and dental insurance; short-term and long-term disability; life insurance; employee assistance program; and a 401k plan with increasing employer contributions based on staff tenure.
Working Conditions:
This position primarily works in an office-setting. Travel up to 10% within the State of Arizona may be required with no more than 5% travel to other parts of the United States.
- Ability to sit for eight (8) or more hours with breaks
- This is a sedentary position
- Must be able to comply with the physical demands of travel
- This position demands extensive keyboarding, visual acuity required
- Occasionally asked to lift 25+ pounds
To apply, qualified candidates should submit their resume and letter of interest to careers@glsen.org.
GLSEN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage people of color, of diverse gender identities, women and non-LGBTQ+ persons to apply.
