The Policy Analyst reports to the Policy Manager or to the Policy Director, as determined by the Policy Director, and is a member of the Policy Team. This position and Team work to: implement initiatives relating to public policy issues, legislative and regulatory advocacy; create accessible opportunities and resources for economic stability and sustained well-being for survivors of domestic violence and their families; collaborate with housing, civil and criminal justice, and social service systems as well as employers and/or employment and job development agencies; and provide liaison between family violence service providers and state agencies, including the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, and the regional Councils of Government.

The Policy Analyst must have excellent communication skills and the ability to conduct effective trainings. A writing sample will be required. Experience working on domestic violence issues is required, with experience working directly with clients in a domestic violence program strongly preferred. This job will involve some travel.

Salary range: $33,000 – 38,000

Applications may be faxed to 512-306-9887, or mailed to PO Box 161810 - Austin, TX 78716

The Policy Analyst reports to the Policy Manager or to the Senior Policy Director, as determined by the Senior Policy Director, and is a member of the Policy and Planning Team. This position and Team work to: implement initiatives relating to public policy issues, legislative and regulatory advocacy; create accessible opportunities and resources for economic stability and sustained well-being for survivors of domestic violence and their families; collaborate with housing, civil and criminal justice, and social service systems as well as employers and/or employment and job development agencies; and provide liaison between family violence service providers and state agencies, including the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), the Office of the Governor, the Office of the Attorney General, and the regional Councils of Government.

The Policy Analyst may be assigned to planning and special projects relating to housing, employment or other issues of importance to victims of family violence, and/or to public policy analysis, and/or to legal services. In the assigned area, the Policy Analyst will provide consultative services to agencies and professionals that provide services to or advocate for victims of family violence, or that develop and implement laws, regulations and policies relating to family violence.

Essential Responsibilities/Duties

• Consult with staff, family violence programs, and state and federal policymakers (legislative or regulatory) in response to requests for analyses, evaluations and opinions regarding implementation of family violence and related laws, rules or policies; actively solve problems with providers to ensure effective operating and management polices and procedures, utilizing interviews, professional experience and research, gathering, verifying and analyzing factual information and detail.
• In coordination with the Team, develop processes to monitor opinion inquiries from staff, programs and state and federal policymakers to analyze the effective implementation of laws, rules and policies, as well as the institutional response to survivors. Consult with legal experts and other allied professionals to obtain advice on behalf of providers.
• Create, develop and update written manuals and guides, including the “Texas Advocate Guide” and other protocols or manuals as appropriate.
• Develop public policy research, analysis and public education materials for use by family violence programs and allied professionals, with particular emphasis on increasing access to legal services, housing and employment for survivors.
• Investigate, analyze and make recommendation to the programs, TCFV staff and board members, and legislators regarding effective operating and management policies and procedures for advocacy services to survivors. Consult on advocacy services implementation, including analysis and evaluation of their use and effectiveness.
• Research and analyze potential effects and impacts of pending state and federal legislation on survivors of family violence, as well as on service providers: draft, develop and publish fact sheets and alerts for distribution to Texas family violence centers and allies.
• Collaborate with the Team, agency staff, and Board of Directors in drafting and advocating for passage of a legislative agenda favorable to the Council, its member programs, family violence centers, survivors and allies.
• Track and analyze key federal and state policy issues, including researching and monitoring state legislative committees, interim committees, task forces, state and federal regulatory bodies, including HHSC, DFPS, OAG, and Office of the Governor, Councils of Government and TDCJ and others.
• Investigate, analyze and make recommendations to state and federal policymakers and their staff regarding policies, procedures and legislation concerning services to survivors and systems with which survivors may interact.
• Provide technical assistance to service providers to determine compliance with the requirements of state and federal agencies and funders, and recommend actions needed to come into compliance.
• Respond accurately in a supportive, timely and appropriate manner to requests for informational and technical assistance in the area of governmental policies affecting survivors and services providers; and follow up as needed
• Organize, develop or modify Public Policy materials such as training manuals, fact sheets, position papers, opinion letters, recommendations sample policies and communications to programs, concerning survivors’ access to legal services, housing, employment, public benefits, immigration, healthy marriage initiatives, as well as providers’ effective interaction with state agencies and funders.
• Comply with documentation and reporting requirements of grantors, including semi-annual report of activities.
• Other projects and responsibilities may be added and/or changed at the discretion of the Policy and Planning Manager or Senior Policy Director.

Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Must be proactive, communicative, responsive, creative, flexible, and results-oriented to accomplish agency and program goals; and possess mission of service attitude with a strong commitment to and knowledge of constituent service and relations.
• Strong and effective interpersonal skills to participate in, facilitate or lead teams to engage and/or partner with a wide variety of people and organizations, from state agency personnel to grassroots community organizers; develop and maintain strategic professional working relationships with community members, domestic violence program staff, agency staff and board, vendors, consultants, allied professionals, other stakeholders and general public.

Job Title: Policy Analyst

• Self driven, self-directed to work independently and as part of a team and/or with minimal supervision, disciplined time management skills to coordinate and prioritize own and others’ activities; evaluate progress, provide feedback; and reallocate resources as needed.
• Ability to respond with sensitivity and awareness to those with diverse cultural, ethnic, social backgrounds, values, attitudes, and languages.
• Thorough knowledge of domestic violence issues and the circumstances faced by those experiencing it. Commitment to a non-violent perspective and willingness to work in such an environment.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of employee, donor, funders, and case information.
• Demonstrated skill in development and presentation of adult education programs involving social change issues.
• Excellent organizational, written and oral communication skills including editing.
• Effective interpersonal skills to work collaboratively as a consultant, a team member, or leader providing support and constructive feedback in interactions with staff, board and members.
• Self driven to manage time, work independently or in a team, think analytically and complete multiple activities within a given time frame.
• Ability to analyze and synthesize information, make sound decisions, take action, persuade and inform others, negotiate to gain commitment to a point of view, action or advocacy on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and their families. Ability to make independent judgments and sound decisions in unchartered situations.
• Experience with Windows 2000 or above and Microsoft Office applications and Microsoft Outlook.
• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, social work or criminal justice or related field, plus three years experience in public policy or systems advocacy work including one year in the domestic violence movement required. Experience in legal or systems advocacy for battered women preferred.
• Or any combination of related education and experience with a documented record of the ability to perform duties and responsibilities of the position. (Equivalency formula: two years of experience is equal to one year of education.)

Other Requirements/Working Conditions
• Bilingual skills in English and Spanish preferred: ability to read, write and converse.
• Availability to travel overnight occasionally.
• Ability to tolerate prolonged sitting or standing. Must have emotional and physical stamina to deal with a variety of stressful situations, including complaints and internal and external interactions, to effectively work long and at times odd hours, while maintaining a sense of humor.
• Works in a normal office environment, except while traveling, with minimum exposure to dust, noise, or temperature extremes. Requires bending, stooping, lifting and carrying objects up to 25 pounds, with or without accommodations.