Urban Habitat's Policy Director

Organizational Background and Mission

Founded in 1989, Urban Habitat (UH) builds power in low-income
communities and communities of color by combining policy, advocacy,
research, leadership development, and coalition building to advance
environmental, economic and social justice in the Bay Area. UH applies a
race and class analysis to issues of transportation, housing, land use,
planning, and community development, and offers a clear vision and
agenda for the equitable development of the region. Urban Habitat's
work is rooted in a synthesis of the principles of the civil rights
movement and environmental justice and is centered in the growing
movement for regional equity.

Position Description

The Policy Director is a member of Urban Habitat's Management Team.
S/he plays a lead role in defining and implementing a comprehensive
policy and research agenda for the organization and its priority
campaigns, and works across programs to support strategy development and
implementation. Organizational priorities include equitable development,
transportation and housing, land use, climate justice, quality jobs,
health, tax and fiscal policy reform. The Policy Director has a strong
knowledge of all aspects of the organization' s programmatic,
personnel and financial goals and strategies and works with the
Executive Director, Board of Directors, and Management team to achieve
Urban Habitat's short and long-term objectives. The Policy Director
reports directly to the Executive Director and supervises personnel, as
assigned.

Essential Duties:

• Policy and Advocacy: Monitor the political landscape and
analyze local, regional, state and, national policies that are relevant
to UH's mission and campaign goals. Lead organizational efforts to
generate and pass positive policy solutions that build power in
low-income communities and communities of color and to prevent the
passage of harmful policies. Play a lead role in the creation and
advancement of UH's short and long-term policy agenda, and help
increase the capacity of UH and our partners to effectively navigate and
impact the policy-making arena. Educate and mobilize policy-maker,
community and labor allies, and other key stakeholders around UH's
policy agenda.

• Program Management and Implementation: Analyze existing
statewide climate change policies such as AB 32 and SB 375 and develop
policy solutions that benefit the region's low-income communities
and communities of color. Work with Urban Habitat's Transportation
Program to develop strategies and policies that win concrete
transportation and climate justice outcomes within the Regional
Transportation Plan and the Sustainable Communities Strategy, priority
state policies, and the federal Transportation Bill. Work with Urban
Habitat's Bay Area Social Equity Caucus to engage and mobilize
member organizations on key policy issues including climate change and
governmental tax and fiscal reform. Work with Urban Habitat's
Richmond Campaign Coordinator to support priority campaigns around
affordable housing, land-use, and green economic development. Serve as
Urban Habitat's key contact on all matters relating to climate
change and climate justice.

• Research and Writing: Strengthen UH's regional equity
analysis and framework on priority policy goals, including climate
justice, transportation and housing, equitable development, health, and
tax and fiscal policy reform. Translate complex data and policy
information into accessible written formats that can be used to educate
and engage a wide range of UH partners including community-based
organizations and elected officials. Lead UH's efforts to produce
original reports and analysis that contributes to the environmental
justice movement. Provide data, analysis and articles for UH's
web-site, RPE journal, and other UH publications.

• Staff Management and Supervision: Supervise Land Use
Coordinator and other staff, as assigned. Provide strategic direction
and oversight to ensure that staff members have the support they need to
sustain their work at a consistently high level. Maintain strong lines
of communication and coordination among all staff to ensure that
individual, programmatic and organizational goals are clearly defined
and achieved in a timely manner.

• Coalition Building: Strengthen the capacity of UH to
effectively build and engage in multi-issue and multi-sector coalitions
throughout the region, state, and nation. Serve as lead staff for
UH's participation in the Regional Policy Committee of the Great
Communities Collaborative and in ClimatePlan, along with staffing other
UH coalition efforts when needed.

• Development and Communications: Provide regular updates and
other written materials to the Director of Development and Planning,
Board of Directors, and Media and Communications Associate in order to
support UH's fundraising efforts, media strategy, and web-site
outreach. Participate in fundraising cultivation meetings and/or provide
talking points on UH's policy goals. Represent UH at conferences,
community events, workshops, and other public/media engagements.

Job Qualifications:

• Master's degree in urban planning, environmental sciences,
economics, public policy, or equivalent experience such as political
director for labor or advocacy organization.

• Knowledge and experience working on land-use planning policies
and programs (for example inclusionary zoning implementation, analysis
of planned land use alternatives, EIR and CEQA review ) and climate
change policies and programs (for example, development of climate change
actions plans)

• Hands-on experience with policy making, advocacy,
implementation, or evaluation at varying levels of government (for
example, local, regional, state, and national).

• Capacity to utilize a wide array of research methods, including
but not limited to: Internet searches, public information requests,
government reports, telephone inquiries and key informant interviews.

• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate policy analysis
and research results, including development of conclusions and
persuasive arguments for individuals outside the organization, as
appropriate.

• Minimum five years experience developing and leading
environmental, social, and/or economic justice programs.
• Minimum five years experience of personnel supervision and
management.
• Demonstrated commitment to issues of environmental, social, and
economic justice.
• High level of proven leadership and ability to manage complex
tasks in a timely and professional manner.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work well under tight deadlines and in a team
environment.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $85,000
Generous benefits package including health, dental, and vision
insurance, holidays, vacation, 401 K, and sick leave. This is a full
time position that reports to the Executive Director.

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled.

Please email your cover letter and resume, AS ATTACHMENTS, to:
PolicyDirector@ urbanhabitat. org.

Urban Habitat is an equal opportunity employer, and people of color are
strongly encouraged to apply.