PolicyLink Job Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in joining the PolicyLink team!

PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works. PolicyLink collaborates with a broad range of partners to implement strategies to ensure that everyone—including those from low-income communities of color—can contribute to and benefit from economic growth and prosperity. Among our regional equity approaches is equitable development, a comprehensive local, regional, and state framework emphasizing equitable public investment, the fair distribution of affordable housing, and community strategies to improve health.

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JOB OPPORTUNITIES

RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity, Communications Associate (New York)
RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity, Communications Team Leader (New York)
Senior Associate - Health Team
Senior Associate - Technical Assistant Coordinator (RWJF) Health Team
Program Assistant (two positions available)
Program Assistant (New York)
RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity, Administrative Coordinator

RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity -- Communications Associate

(This position is located in our New York Office)

100% FTE
Salary: Commensurate with experience

Organizational Overview

PolicyLink is a national nonprofit research, communications, capacity building, and advocacy organization, dedicated to advancing policies to achieve economic and social equity based on the wisdom, voice, and experience of local constituencies. Please visit our website at: www.policylink.org.

Position Overview

PolicyLink is looking for a highly skilled Communications Associate, to report to the Vice President for Communications.

The communications associate is a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity team, which includes staff at PolicyLink and the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement.

The communications associate assists the RWJF Center team in achieving its goal to reverse the epidemic of childhood obesity by 2015. Responsibilities of the communications associate include writing, editing, Internet research; scheduling, planning, and documenting meetings; and supporting RWJF senior communications staff as needed. The communications associate is expected to understand and incorporate key messages related to the Center’s work in all written and verbal communications.

Responsibilities

Copy, edit and proofread RWJF Center reports, briefs, and other materials

Provide support to RWJF Center team members by conducting Internet research and other support as requested

Plan and schedule center communications meetings and work with assigned staff in Oakland and Little Rock to plan and carry out other meetings, take notes, and distribute to team

Prepare Power Points, press releases, fact sheets and presentations.

Qualifications

Must possess a Bachelor’s degree.
Minimum of 3 to 5 years’ experience as a writer, editor, or in communications-related work, preferably in a nonprofit organization.

Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills.

Excellent verbal communications skills.

Excellent computer skills, including Internet research, MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, and facility in learning new data management tools.
Ability to juggle multiple tasks as well as capacity for tolerating ambiguity—and introducing constructive order to that ambiguity.
Excellent time management skills coupled with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
Demonstrated efficiency, effectiveness, and quick turnaround.
Ability and willingness to work both autonomously and collaboratively, and to distill large amounts of new, often complex information quickly.
Demonstrated patience and persistence, and the ability to work under deadline in a collegial and productive way with harried colleagues.
Interest in issues related to children and obesity prevention and in advocacy work.

Application Process

Send Resume and Cover Letter to:

PolicyLink—Communications Associate Search Committee
55 West 39th Street
11th Floor
New York, NY 10018

Or fax to 510-587-1113 or e-mail to jobs@policylink.org (include subject line: [your name] “Communications Associate-RWJF”). Position open until filled.

Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.

RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity, Communications Team Leader, New York

100% FTE
Salary Commensurate with experience

This professional level position, available immediately, is an exciting opportunity to join the staff at PolicyLink. PolicyLink is a national research and action institute that works collaboratively to develop and implement local, state, and federal policies to achieve economic and social equity. Please visit our website at www.policylink.org.

This position is based in our New York communications office.

Overview

PolicyLink is working in strategic partnership with the Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) to establish the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity. PolicyLink has primary responsibility for the development and implementation of a strategic communications plan to support the center’s primary goals, which are to:

Become the nation’s premier resource for the prevention of childhood obesity,
Strategically coordinate technical assistance to support action initiatives, and
Align and coordinate RWJF programs with other national interventions.

Position Description

To lead the development and implementation of the plan, PolicyLink is seeking a communications team leader to develop and implement a strategic communications plan that includes an online community site for advocates, researchers, and others working in the childhood obesity prevention field. The team leader’s work will include, but not be limited to the following:

Strategic communications planning
Develop and supervise an online public presence for the center
Support to RWJF center program staff to impact policymakers
Enhance visibility and strong message delivery in print, broadcast, and online
Support communications activities of NPOs and grantees
Development and implementation of a media strategy

The RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity (CPHO) will serve at the centerpiece of the foundation’s strategy to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. To reach that goal, the center will be the premiere location for strategic coordination and leveraging of RWJF programs and affiliated resources. The center will be engaged nationally and locally in efforts to work with RWJF National Program Offices, grantees, advocates, the child health field, and the public to make long-term changes that support and promote healthy environments.

Under the leadership of ACHI and PolicyLink, the RWJF Center will focus its efforts in five distinct areas:

Support and coordinate efforts with existing RWJF National Program Offices (NPOs) working in the childhood obesity area to aggregate the power and influence of groups already funded by RWJF and other partners.
Working with both NPO leadership and other networks addressing the obesity epidemic, make technical assistance available to build the capacity and leadership of the movement and reach out to other groups and constituencies to expand the field.
Design and implement national, state, regional, and local policy agendas for reducing childhood obesity with an emphasis on the needs of low-income communities and communities disproportionately burdened by the obesity epidemic.
Synthesize the science and best available evidence to ensure policies and activities are built on what works and revised when necessary to reverse the course of the childhood obesity epidemic.
Advance effective communications and media strategies to increase public awareness, build public will to reverse the epidemic, and support the policy campaign.

The communications team leader will support the program staff in all of the above areas as needed.

Additional Responsibilities

Ensure consistent messaging across multiple platforms: print, broadcast, and online
Work closely with center directors and associate directors based in Oakland, California, and in Little Rock, Arkansas, to ensure communications activities are consistent with policy, scientific, and NPO efforts
Plan special events and NPO summits
With center scientific team, plan and deliver webinar series
Deliver presentation training and interview prep
Develop a speakers bureau to promote center leadership, foundation leaders and researchers, and NPO and grantee spokespersons
Provide communications technical assistance
Supervise print production process, overseeing editorial, design, and printing

Qualifications

Minimum 10 years experience as director of communications, preferably in health related nonprofits
Demonstrated expertise in developing and implementing strategic communications plans
Excellent written and verbal communications skills
Experience in using communications as a tool for advocacy and policy change
Demonstrated ability to transfer complex topics into more easily understood language
Knowledge of mainstream, alternative, and ethnic media, especially those interested in children’s health
Knowledge of the role of online tools to support strategic communications and experienced in applying that knowledge to attract public and professional audiences
Experienced in supervising communications staff
BA degree required; MA or equivalent experience preferred
Bilingual in Spanish preferred

To Apply:

Send Resume and Cover Letter to:
Barbara S. Brown, Managing Director
BSB Search
420 West End Avenue, Suite 9A
New York, New York, 10024

Or:

e-mail to: BBrown@bsbsearch.com (include subject line: “[your name]” RWJF Communications Team Leader)

Position open until filled.

Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision, and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.

SENIOR ASSOCIATE -- HEALTH TEAM

100% FTE
Salary commensurate with experience

This professional level position, available immediately, is an exciting opportunity to join the staff at PolicyLink. PolicyLink is a national research and action institute that works to advance policies at the federal, state and local level to achieve economic and social equity. Please visit our website at: www.policylink.org.

Program Description:

The PolicyLink Center for Health and Place weaves research and action into policy initiatives to ensure that everyone—especially those in low-income and communities of color—can live, work, and play in healthy environments. The Center works with a host of partners on efforts to push for policies that allow people to live in communities of opportunity. One such initiative—the national Healthy Eating, Active Living Convergence Partnership (www.convergencepartnership.org)—is a collaborative of national funders seeking policy and environmental changes through multi-field, equity-focused efforts. One of the Convergence Partnership’s core strategies is to promote and support such efforts in the field, recognizing that regional convergence initiatives are an essential step in advancing a national movement towards healthy people in healthy places.

The PolicyLink Center is also involved in an in-depth effort to advance a healthy communities agenda in California with activities at the local and statewide levels. Developing and strengthening a broad statewide network, as well as drafting a document defining the movement’s agenda are critical next steps.

Position Responsibilities:

Serve as a resource and support for national convergence activities
Provide technical assistance and support to regional convergence initiatives
Track and assess national and regional trends and model policy and environmental change strategies that improve food and physical activity environments
Supervise staff as appropriate and work with partner organizations to coordinate activities and events
Build relationships with staff at foundations and other relevant groups to foster connections and communications between national partnership and regional convergence sites
Conduct interviews to identify policy opportunities and assess strategic directions.
Assist in the development of a healthy communities agenda in California.
Conduct interviews to better understand the landscape of activities in California.
Draft and edit a document explaining the policy agenda for the healthy communities agenda.
Create and oversee tracking and monitoring systems to manage TA requests, inquiries and outreach efforts
Develop policy briefs and other written documents; conduct trainings as needed
Travel approximately twice a month

Qualifications/Skills:

Experience in public health and/or public policy, particularly in the areas of social determinants of health, health disparities and inequities, food and physical activity environments, and other related fields. Minimum of 7 years of professional experience.
Masters degree in public health, planning, or policy (e.g., MPH, MPP, MPA)
Strong written and verbal communication skills and analytical skills
Experience in advocacy, technical assistance, writing reports and articles, and conducting trainings and public speaking
Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work as a self-starting member of a team.

To apply:

Send cover letter and resume to:

PolicyLink—Senior Associate—Convergence Partnership Search Committee
1438 Webster Street, Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94612 or

Fax to (510) 587-1113 or email to jobs@policylink.org (include subject line: “[Your name] (Senior Associate-Convergence Partnership)”. Position open until filled.

Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

PolicyLink is committed to building and maintaining a diverse staff and a welcoming workplace.

Senior Associate - Technical Assistant Coordinator (RWJF)Health Team

100% FTE
Salary: Commensurate with experience

Senior Associate

Organizational Overview

Program Description Overview

PolicyLink in partnership with The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) has established the new Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity (CPCO). The new Center will serve at the lynchpin of the Foundation’s strategy to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. Reversing the epidemic will require strategic coordination and leveraging of RWJF programs and affiliated resources. To accomplish this goal, the center will also create a “campaign” or national movement that will make long-term changes to support and promote healthy environments.

Under the leadership of ACHI and PolicyLink, the RWJF CPCO will focus its efforts in five distinct areas:

Support and coordinate efforts with existing RWJF National Program Offices (NPOs) working in the childhood obesity area to aggregate the power and influence of groups already funded by RWJF and other partners.

Working with both NPO leadership and other networks addressing the obesity epidemic, make technical assistance available to build the capacity and leadership of the movement and reach out to other groups and constituencies to expand the field.

Design and implement national, state, regional, and local policy agendas for reducing childhood obesity with an emphasis on the needs of low-income communities and communities disproportionately burdened by the obesity epidemic.

Synthesize the science and best available evidence to ensure policies and activities are built on what works and revised when necessary to reverse the course of the childhood obesity epidemic.

Advance effective communications and media strategies to increase public awareness, build public will to reverse the epidemic, and support the policy campaign.

Position Responsibilities

Ability to coordinate diverse group of Technical Assistance providers
Serve as a resource and support to national groups seeking technical assistance
Creation of tracking and monitoring systems to manage TA requests
Assess field to identify leading experts in fields of obesity, healthy food access, built environment, land use, and other related fields
Create and update repository and database to manage range of TA resources
Track national, regional and statewide policies and trends related to childhood obesity
Assist in development of training curricula and conduct trainings as needed
Work with ACHI, RWJF and other PolicyLink team members to coordinate activities and events
Development of written documents, such as case studies, reports, fact sheets
Stay informed about national meetings, conferences and events related to obesity
Willing to travel

Skills and Qualifications

Strong leadership skills, ability to be an effective team leader
Dynamic and skilled in working with diverse groups
Strong written and verbal communications skills
Experience in conducting trainings and public speaking
Masters degree in Public Health, Planning, Administration, Organizational Development, Social Work or related field

Application Process

Send Resume and Cover Letter to:
PolicyLink – Senior Associate-Technical Assistant (RWJF) Search Committee
1438 Webster Street, Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94612

Or fax to 510-587-1113 or e-mail to jobs@policylink.org (include subject line: “[your name] (Senior Associate-RWJF). Position open until filled.

Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.

Program Assistant (two positions available)

100% FTE
Salary: Commensurate with experience

Organizational Overview

PolicyLink is a national nonprofit research, communications, capacity building, and advocacy organization, dedicated to advancing policies to achieve economic and social equity based on the wisdom, voice, and experience of local constituencies. Please visit our website at: www.policylink.org.

PolicyLink is looking for a positive and energetic Program Assistant to provide administrative and programmatic support to senior staff. The successful candidate for this position will have exceptional organizational skills, have good people skills, be able to manage multiple projects, be motivated to take initiative, pay careful attention to detail, and follow projects all the way through to completion.

The Program Assistant is a non-exempt position.

Position Overview

The Program Assistant is an integral member of the program support team. S/he supports the mission of PolicyLink by supporting designated senior staff in their project and issue area work.

Additionally, the Program Assistant is part of the Operations Team at PolicyLink. While Program Assistants provide dedicated support to specific senior program staff members, they also function in other capacities and participate in other PolicyLink projects, as needed. Program Assistants have considerable responsibility for coordinating their work with the rest of the Operations Team and, through the Associate Director of Administration and Human Resources, with other Program Assistants.

Characteristic Duties

Administrative Support

Provide administrative support to designated Senior Program Staff.
Note taking, correspondence and required follow-up.
Collecting and organizing relevant information about program activities.
Maintaining and expanding the organization's print and online research repository.
Meeting coordination—inclusive of travel arrangements for multiple participants, logistics and event planning.
Photocopying, assembly, and distribution of documents.
Customize and finalize contracts, using organizational templates, under the direction of the Chief Financial and Administrative Office and Senior Associates.
Work with the Production Manager on various printing projects as needed.
Assist with updating web-based materials.
Assist with general administrative work, telephones and front desk relief (as needed).
Fact-finding and information gathering for both general research functions and specific projects.
Plan, organize and execute large mailings.

Database Maintenance

Update and maintain organizational database(s).

Layout and Editing

Assist with production of internal/external reports.
Assist with graphic production of files.
Assist PolicyLink Senior staff with editing and producing written reports.
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Knowledge/Abilities

Minimum 2 years previous experience in challenging administrative support position required.
Communicate and interact comfortably and effectively with a diverse population — both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrated ability and capacity to proofread and produce high quality documents in a timely manner.

Ability to exercise good judgment and tact.
Knowledge of standard office computer applications (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc) and standard office equipment, including multiple line telephone systems.
Knowledge of Internet, graphic, and database applications, especially Raisers’ Edge, desirable.
Good communication and writing skills—including high proficiency in English grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Detail oriented, accurate, and timely with assigned tasks.
Ability to handle multiple priorities and complete multiple projects in a timely manner.
Ability to take initiative, consult, share information and ask questions as needed.
Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment, as part of a team or independently.
Ability to conduct phone and web queries related to specific projects as directed.

To Apply:

Send Resume and Cover Letter to:
PolicyLink – Program Assistant Search Committee
1438 Webster Street, Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94612

Or fax to 510-587-1113 or e-mail to jobs@policylink.org
(include subject line: “[your name] (Program Assistant).
Position open until filled.

Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.

Program Assistant – New York

100% FTE
Salary: Commensurate with experience

Organizational Overview

PolicyLink is looking for a highly skilled Program Assistant to assist the Vice President for Communications and Associate Director for Health. S/he must have a minimum of 3 years of solid administrative experience, a demonstrated ability to work on a team and a track record of accomplishments in a support capacity for busy executives.

The successful candidate will provide administrative and programmatic support and will have exceptional organizational skills, good people skills, be able to manage multiple projects, be motivated to take initiative, pay careful attention to detail, and follow projects all the way through to completion.

The Program Assistant is a non-exempt position.

Position Overview

The Program Assistant is an integral member of the program support team. S/he supports the mission of PolicyLink by supporting designated senior staff in their project and issue area work.

Characteristic Duties

Administrative Support

Provide administrative support to designated Senior Program Staff.
Note taking, correspondence and required follow-up.
Collecting and organizing relevant information about program activities.
Maintaining and expanding the organization's print and online research repository.
Meeting coordination—inclusive of travel arrangements for multiple participants, logistics and event planning.
Photocopying, assembly, and distribution of documents.
Customize and finalize contracts, using organizational templates, under the direction of supervisor.
Work with the Production Manager on various printing projects as needed.
Assist with updating web-based materials.
Assist with general administrative work, telephones and front desk relief (as needed).
Fact-finding and information gathering for both general research functions and specific projects.
Plan, organize and execute large mailings.

Database Maintenance

Update and maintain organizational database(s).

Layout and Editing

Assist with production of internal/external reports.
Assist with graphic production of files.
Assist PolicyLink Senior staff with editing and producing written reports.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Knowledge/Abilities

Minimum 2 years previous experience in challenging administrative support position required.
Communicate and interact comfortably and effectively with a diverse population — both verbally and in writing.
Demonstrated ability and capacity to proofread and produce high quality documents in a timely manner.
Ability to exercise good judgment and tact.
Knowledge of standard office computer applications (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc) and standard office equipment, including multiple line telephone systems.
Knowledge of Internet, graphic, and database applications, especially Raisers’ Edge, desirable.
Good communication and writing skills—including high proficiency in English grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Detail oriented, accurate, and timely with assigned tasks.
Ability to handle multiple priorities and complete multiple projects in a timely manner.
Ability to take initiative, consult, share information and ask questions as needed.
Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment, as part of a team or independently.
Ability to conduct phone and web queries related to specific projects as directed.

Application Process

To Apply

Send Resume and Cover Letter to:
PolicyLink – Program Assistant Search Committee
55 West 39th Street
11th Floor
New York, New York 10018

Or fax to 510-587-1113 or e-mail to jobs@policylink.org (include subject line: “[your name] (Program Assistant-NY). Position open until filled.

Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.

RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity, Administrative Project Coordinator

100% FTE
Salary commensurate with Experience

Organizational Overview

This professional administrative level position is available immediately. PolicyLink is a national research and action institute advancing economic and social equity by Lifting Up What Works.®

Position Overview

PolicyLink in partnership with The Arkansas Center for Health Improvement (ACHI) has established the new Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity (CPCO). The new Center will serve at the lynchpin of the Foundation’s strategy to reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. Reversing the epidemic will require strategic coordination and leveraging of RWJF programs and affiliated resources. To accomplish this goal, the center will also create a “campaign”or national movement that will make long-term changes to support and promote healthy environments.

Under the leadership of ACHI and PolicyLink, the RWJF CPCO will focus its efforts in five distinct areas:

Support and coordinate efforts with existing RWJF National Program Offices (NPOs) working in the childhood obesity area to aggregate the power and influence of groups already funded by RWJF and other partners.
Working with both NPO leadership and other networks addressing the obesity epidemic, make technical assistance available to build the capacity and leadership of the movement and reach out to other groups and constituencies to expand the field.
Design and implement national, state, regional, and local policy agendas for reducing childhood obesity with an emphasis on the needs of low-income communities and communities disproportionately burdened by the obesity epidemic.
Synthesize the science and best available evidence to ensure policies and activities are built on what works and revised when necessary to reverse the course of the childhood obesity epidemic.
Advance effective communications and media strategies to increase public awareness, build public will to reverse the epidemic, and support the policy campaign.

Essential Responsibilities

Responsible for overall administrative duties related to RWJF obesity project
Serving as events coordinator, has primary responsibility for scheduling meetings, events and activities
Accompany team on visits to sites and ensure smooth operations of trainings
Works closely with Deputy Director and other team members to maintain systems and procedures to guide work
Creates and maintains database including contacts, referral resources, NPOs and grantees and others
Takes notes and minutes and ensures timely completion and submission
Schedules regular calls with ACHI, RWJF, NPOs, and PolicyLink communications office
Participates in creation of written documents
Travel, as needed

Qualifications

Demonstrated skills in coordinating and events management
Detail oriented, accurate, and timely with assigned tasks.
Ability to handle multiple priorities and complete multiple tasks in a timely manner.
Ability to take initiative, consult, share information and ask questions as needed.
Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment, as part of a team or independently
Strong interpersonal skills and good team player
Good written and verbal communication skills
Bachelor’s degree with at least two years experience in fast paced environment

To Apply:

Send Resume and Cover Letter with salary requirement to:

PolicyLink – RWJF Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity, Administrative Coordinator
1438 Webster Street, Suite 303
Oakland, CA 94612

Fax to 510-587-1113 or e-mail to jobs@policylink.org (include subject line: “[your name]

(RWJF Administrative Coordinator). Position open until filled.

Please note: No phone calls please. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Excellent benefits including paid vacation, health, vision and dental insurance and 401(k) retirement plan.

PolicyLink is committed to maintaining a diverse, multi-cultural working environment.

updated May 2009