Director, Public Policy

A Way Home America (AWHA) (awayhomeamerica.org) is a national initiative to build the movement to prevent and end homelessness among young people. We are homeless youth providers, advocates, researchers, government agencies, philanthropists and young people uniting behind a common goal: Prevent and end homelessness among all youth and young adults. Ensure that homelessness among youth and young adults is rare, and if it occurs, experiences of homelessness are brief and one-time.

 A Way Home America is a fiscally sponsored organization of TSNE (tsne.org)

A Way Home America (AWHA) is seeking a Director of Public Policy who will lead the initiative's work to enact administrative and legislative policy change at the federal, state and local level to advance the movement to prevent and end youth homelessness across the United States.

Principal Responsibility 

The Director of Public Policy provides the leadership, management and evaluation of AWHA’s policy and advocacy work at the federal, state and local level. The Director reports to and works in tandem with the AWHA Director. 

Ongoing Responsibilities

Federal, State, and Local Public Policy Responsibilities 

• In collaboration with the AWHA Director and AHWA Policy Squad,  develops, directs, implements and evaluates the impact of AWHA’s federal, state, and local administrative and legislative public policy agenda. Activities in 2022 may include: the development of the New Deal to End Youth Homelessness policy agenda, represent AWHA in diverse advocacy coalitions, coordinating with advocates from peer organizations lobbyists, assess success of strategic coordination of national advocacy/lobbying efforts around youth homelessness. Will oversee the policy squad and congressional on-the-ground committee;
• Engage with Congress and Federal Government agencies on AWHA’s federal public policy priority issues. This will involve identifying and developing partnership opportunities, promoting administrative changes and driving consistent AWHA appropriations advocacy across our many partners. This is likely to involve crafting and negotiating language for legislation, drafting comments on administrative regulations, and authoring issue briefs and position papers;
• Develop and execute AWHA’s public policy efforts at the state and local level, identifying opportunities to move state administrative and legislative changes that advance our work to end youth homelessness. Partner with state and local advocacy groups and officials (legislators, governors, and mayors) to identify and advance policy priorities. Activities may include establishing a pilot state-by-state peer collaborative, compiling state legislation boilerplate and best practice curriculum and hosting a convening around state strategies to end youth homelessness;
• Maintain and develop positive relationships with an extensive network of contacts in legislative, executive, and administrative offices in federal, state, and local governments, as well as with unlikely allies. In every relationship, center our collective goal to effectively end youth homelessness across the United States and seek common ground; 
• Support AWHA’s engagement with the National Youth Forum on Homelessness, ensuring meaningful opportunities for youth collaboration and strategy input across all policy activities;
• In conjunction with AHWA Communications Officer, draft op-eds, blogs and other user-friendly materials to communicate AWHA policy perspective to stakeholders;
• Engage in research, writing, and other activities to provide analysis and critical thinking on developments affecting AWHA’s public policy initiatives – for internal and external discussion – including the evaluation of legislation and regulatory comments sign-on opportunities;
• Staff the AHWA Policy Squad in tandem with the AWHA Director, including preparing materials and meeting follow up. They will also staff congressional on the ground meetings and meetings regarding the New Deal;
• Represent AWHA in other coalitions and collaborations that advance the movement to end youth homelessness. 

Additional Responsibilities 

• Work with the AHWA Communications Officer and Director to publicize AWHA’s public policy initiatives and create opportunities for partners across the movement to participate in our collective public policy activities. Ensure that all materials are approachable, clear and constructive; 
• Serve as a resource to organizations and others on issues pertaining to AWHA’s public policy activities and developments in the youth homelessness field generally;
• Contribute strategic thinking to AWHA’s practice and communications activities and drive close alignment across AWHA’s focus areas; 
• Speak and present on behalf of AWHA’s collective effort at conferences, events, and other forums;
• Participate in strategy development for the initiative, including the strategic plan and annual goals, in partnership with Steering Committee and Director;
• Support and manage relationships with AWHA Policy Squad members and other key policy stakeholders;
• Manage daily AWHA operations in Washington D.C., and be available to respond to in-person initiative needs in Washington D.C.;
• Ensure compliance with Federal and State lobbying laws and regulations;
• Manage percentage of lobbying undertaken to conform with legal limits of AWHA’s overall and accurately report lobbying time to appropriate parties using the correct platform(s) activities. 

We will consider exceptional candidates who demonstrate a strong combination of the specific qualifications and skills described below. 

• Minimum of five years of experience in legislative and administrative public policy advocacy on behalf of youth experiencing homelessness, disconnected youth, people experiencing homelessness, or a complementary area;
• Demonstrated competency navigating the federal appropriations process; specific experience with Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Subcommittee and Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee;
• Demonstrated experience working with government agencies, legislative bodies, nonprofit organizations, and complex coalitions;
• Demonstrated ability to build strong bipartisan support for public policy initiatives;
• Comfort in communicating with high level legislative and executive branch policy-makers and staff;
• Outstanding research, writing, legal and analysis skills and the ability to use data in shaping policy messages in an approachable and clear manner; 
• Strong organizational, leadership, communication, and project management skills as well as excellent judgment in developing and implementing priorities;
• Exceptional traditional writing and grammatical skills;
• Diligent work ethic and personal drive while working independently;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and G Suite;
• Willingness to travel;
• The most competitive candidate has a demonstrated commitment to youth collaboration, LGBTQ+ and racial equity and ending youth homelessness. 
• Effective and productive in a remote work environment;
• Computer skills: Microsoft Office software and Adobe Acrobat, Google Suite;
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills inclusive of public speaking, facilitation and social media;
• Experience in building relationships with diverse populations;
• Align with A Way Home America’s core values:
  • Recognize and Center Intersectionality
  • Name and Challenge White Supremacy
  • Engage in Principled Struggle
  • Practice Targeted Universalism
  • Generate Transformative Visions Toward Liberation
  • Create a Culture of Accountability
• Open to understanding young people;
• Passionate about the mission to end youth homeless and impact change in existing systems;
• Able to give and receive feedback with love, rigor, and respect, honoring individual differences and promoting a healthy life/work balance;
• Has integrity and accountability;
• Holds all accountable for anti-black racism and colorism;
• Be adaptable to the workload and self-sufficient.

Additional Qualifications

• Valid driver’s license;
• Successful background check;
• Ability to travel for events and meetings;
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends;
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritize work;
• Attention to detail and problem solving skills;
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multitask
• Lived experience in homelessness, child welfare, juvenile justice, a plus
• Bi-lingual ability, a plus (Spanish preferred).

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those for this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. Work is performed in an office environment and in close proximity to other workers.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is required to:

• May require extended periods at a computer.
• Reach; traverse; sit (usually for longer periods of time); occasionally ascend/descend; and position self (to) move;
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds;
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate;
• Job is not subject to significant occupational or environmental hazards;
• Likelihood of personal injury would be relatively slight;
• Environmental and work hazards are not present to a measurable degree.

Regarding COVID-19: TSNE considers the health and safety of our employees of the utmost importance, and due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and subject to your state and local laws, our policy requires that all employees performing in-person work at a TSNE designated office are fully vaccinated. For the purpose of this policy, fully vaccinated indicates that you have received a single dose of the Janssen vaccine, or both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine. Certain exemptions may be requested and will be considered by Human Resources.

To Apply

Please include your resume and a one-page cover letter specifically highlighting why you would like to join the A Way Home America initiative.

Compensation and Benefits

Location: Work will be primarily performed remotely from the DC area. 

Compensation: The starting salary for this position is $80,000/yr and is commensurate with experience.

Benefits: This position is eligible for a full benefits package including:

• Generous Paid-Time-Off (PTO): 12 paid holidays, 3 weeks vacation, 1 week personal holiday, and sick time for full-time staff;
• 80% Employer-paid, $0 deductible Health Insurance through Harvard Pilgrim;
• Low-cost MetLife Dental and Vision;
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Health and Dependent Care;
• Employer-paid Life, Long- and Short-Term Disability Insurance;
• Employer-paid Pension through TIAA;
• ...and more!

TSNE/AWHA envisions a society grounded in the principles of social and economic justice. As such, we strive to achieve excellence through a diverse and inclusive workplace that honors the unique talents and lived experiences of each person. Our vision and values are reflected in all our employment-related decisions, including hiring practices. Accordingly, TSNE actively seeks people who bring diverse backgrounds and perspectives to join us in our work. We strongly encourage people with lived experiences of homelessness, people of color, people of diverse gender identities, women, and LGBTQ+ persons to apply.

As an EOE/AA employer, TSNE/AWHA will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin or ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, genetic information, veteran or disability status or any other factor prohibited by law.