State Policy Manager
Location: Remote
Position: Full-time
WHO WE ARE
Established in 1990, GLSEN is a multi-racial intergenerational LGBTQ+ organization working nationally and locally to transform K-12 educational systems and democracy in the United States.
Our mission is to ensure that every member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Our vision is for students to be able to learn and for teachers to be able to teach, schools must be at a minimum safe from harm.
At GLSEN, our shared mission and vision, drive all that we do. We coordinate a network of 43 chapters in 30 states across the nation, and we partner with local, state and national advocates and supportive educators, to transform our nation’s K-12 schools into the safe and affirming learning environments all youth deserve; through programs, advocacy, research, and public policy work.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The State Policy Manager works closely with the Director of Public Policy to drive GLSEN’s strategy to advance GLSEN’s public policy agenda at the state and local level. The State Policy Manager must be motivated by and experienced in advocating for policy change, particularly in K-12 education and civil rights issues.
The State Policy Manager should be prepared to manage a fluid and diverse portfolio in a fast-paced policy environment spanning all 50 states, different issues, and a wide range of stakeholders. In addition, the State Policy Manager will be actively engaged in tracking policy developments, developing policy proposals, providing technical assistance to advocates and policymakers, maintaining informed and constant contact with state partners and stakeholders, and crafting rapid response communications.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Manage State Legislative Portfolio
- Track and monitor state legislative and policy developments.
- Advocate for GLSEN’s state legislative priorities, including providing technical assistance on bill language, rapid policy analysis, arranging and leading on legislative meetings, drafting and submitting testimony and related policy resources, and rapid response communications related to legislative movement and bill passage.
- Brief internal and external stakeholders on specific legislation and the overall, 50-state legislative landscape for priority issues.
- Inform GLSEN’s broader policy priorities and positions.
- Respond to requests from and provide technical assistance to policymakers, legislative staff, and community partners.
Co-Manage State Administrative Portfolio
- Track and monitor state policy developments, including executive orders, regulatory updates, and policy guidance issued to school boards and local entities.
- Advocate for GLSEN’s public policy priorities at the administrative level, including with governor’s offices, state education agencies (state departments of education, state boards of education, etc.) and non-state entities (e.g., statewide athletic associations), including by providing technical assistance on regulatory and policy documents, rapid policy analysis, arranging and leading on administrative meetings, drafting and submitting regulatory comments, letters, and other policy communications to administrative agencies, and rapid response communications related to policy developments.
- Brief internal and external stakeholders on specific policy shifts at the state level, including implementation, funding, and impacts of litigation.
Educate and Mobilize Grassroots Advocates in GLSEN’s Network and Beyond
- Draft, develop, and disseminate policy- and advocacy-related resources, including explainer fact sheets, action alerts, advocacy toolkits, template letters/op-eds, reports, and website/social media copy.
- Work with GLSEN’s internal teams to track state policy landscapes and update website databases to reflect the lived experience across all 50 states.
- Present in-person and on webinars to lay out key messages for grassroots constituencies and partner networks.
- Support planning and execution of advocacy-related events, both in Washington, DC and across the country.
- Provide technical assistance to GLSEN’s network and partner organizations to ensure effective and timely advocacy.
LOCATION
This is a remote position, within the continental United States.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
- At least three years of related work experience.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred or relevant work experience in the following fields: public policy, public administration, political science, law, civil rights, education policy.
- Strong research, policy, and analytical skills, is a must.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different audiences and formats. Experience creating and effectively delivering factual, relevant, and easily understandable talking points and other messaging.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver under tight deadlines and evolving landscapes, consistent with legislative advocacy environments.
- Strong self-motivation and initiative, with demonstrated ability to work independently, effectively manage multiple and competing projects, and flexibility in a high-pressure environment.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively and comfortably manage external relationships, including with elected officials and community leaders.
- Demonstrated commitment to intersectional equity, especially for LGBTQIA2S+ youth.
- Ability to travel up to 20% of the time, as needed within the United States.
- As we collaborate with colleagues across multiple time zones, flexibility in work hours are both a requirement and opportunity for this role.
- Working knowledge of MS Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Experience with Airtable and legislative tracking software, such as BuildTrack50, is strongly preferred.
- Deep commitment to actively promoting the values and practices of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and further fostering an environment of belonging and trust.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee will or may be occasionally required to do the following:
Stand; walk; sit; speak and hear while communicating with others to exchange information; repeat motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; use hands to touch, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.
SALARY RANGE
The salary for this position is $80,000.00 annually.
WHY GLSEN?
When you join GLSEN, you join a community of smart, caring, talented individuals working together, supporting and inspiring each other to advance racial, gender, and disability justice in education settings. If you want to make an impact, GLSEN is the place for you. In addition, eligible employees can take advantage of the following benefits:
- Medical, dental, and vision plans
- Short and long term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- 401(k) plan with increasing employer contributions based on staff tenure
- Support in accessing gender affirming care and family planning resources
- Employee Assistant Program
- Paid Time-Off (PTO), including holidays
- Paid parental leave
- Work/Life balance
HOW TO APPLY?
Ready to make a difference? Please submit your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample you have created analyzing a policy issue, to careers@glsen.org. Please include “State Policy Manager” in the subject line. GLSEN is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our employees.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion/creed, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, age, political affiliation or belief, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital or family status, military or veteran status, or any other protected class status.
