Director of Policy – Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault – Denver, CO

The Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) is seeking applicants for our Director of Policy position. The Director of Policy is responsible for the development and implementation of all CCASA strategies related to public policy and systems advocacy.

Salary: $40,000-$60,000 annually (new employees typically start at the lower end of the salary range)
Work Status: Full-Time; Exempt
Reports to: Executive Director
Benefits: Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation; health and dental insurance
Location: Denver, CO

Job Responsibilities:

Policy Development

Work with CCASA members and allied professionals to identify and develop strategies for addressing barriers facing survivors of sexual violence through statewide systems change initiatives.
Review and analyze state and federal policies and laws concerning sexual assault survivors, victim services, and offender management.
Staff CCASA’s Public Policy Committee.

Policy Education & Implementation

In coordination with other staff, develop communications and resources to educate members, legislators, and the public about issues affecting survivors of sexual violence, and potential and actual policy/legislative solutions for addressing them effectively.
Provide support, consultation, training, and technical assistance on public policy that impacts victims of sexual violence, services available to survivors, and advocates and other service providers in Colorado.
Co-chair the Forensic Compliance Team, in collaboration with staff from the CO Division of Criminal Justice, Office for Victims Programs, Sexual Assault Response Project.

Legislative Advocacy

Work with CCASA’s contract Lobbyist to develop and advocate for legislative concepts that will improve the response to and prevention of sexual violence.
Testify or coordinate testimony before legislative committees on critical sexual violence issues and serve as primary organizational contact for elected officials.

Other Duties

Provide support, consultation, training, and technical assistance to members and partners in order to assist service providers in strengthening their capacity to provide victim-centered services that are reflective of the community they serve.
Staff other committees as needed.
Act as CCASA staff liaison on statewide task forces and committees to promote statewide policy and protocol that is representative of sexual assault survivors and service providers.
Develop and provide training to member programs, other sexual assault service providers, allied professionals, and community groups.
Assist service providers in strengthening their capacity to provide victim-centered services that are reflective of the communities they serve.
Recruit, train, and supervise Policy Interns.
Work with other staff members to develop content for printed and electronic educational materials.
Participate in recruitment and retention of members.
Assist with coordination CCASA training and events as necessary.
Represent CCASA, including serving as a speaker/presenter, at community events hosted by other organizations, businesses, public policy makers, and other community leaders.
Carry out all job tasks collaboratively and cooperatively.
Help inform CCASA’s developing understanding and integration of culturally-relevant, empowerment, and strength-based strategies within an anti-oppression and social justice framework.
Provide input on relevant program budgets as requested.
Prepare required grant and progress reports and complete required documentation.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.

Required Qualifications:

Minimum of 4 year related professional experience, preferably within a community-based sexual assault victim advocacy program.
Experience with public policy and legislative analysis and advocacy, preferably regarding issues of sexual violence.
Demonstrated success with managing complex projects, including engaging and coordinating with other partners.
Articulate and knowledgeable as a trainer, facilitator, and public speaker.
Experience with coordinated community response to sexual assault and related issues.
Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to culturally-relevant, empowerment, and strength-based strategies within an anti-oppression and social justice framework.
Commitment to grappling with the complexities of societal power and privilege in order to understand how multiple forms of oppression (racism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, etc.) intersect with CCASA’s work to end sexual violence.
Effective interpersonal communication and writing skills.
Detail-oriented and organized.
Self-motivated and able to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and with diverse groups.
Comfort with working in a small, team-oriented environment.
Enthusiasm about promoting the mission, vision, and values of CCASA.

Our ideal candidate will share our passion and commitment to believing and supporting survivors, holding perpetrators accountable, and taking action to end sexual assault in Colorado. We also expect that all members of our team recognize that sexual violence and oppression are intricately linked, and are dedicated to grappling with the complexities of societal power and privilege in order to create an inclusive movement to end sexual violence. Candidates must be able to recognize personal biases and address them productively, as well as communicate effectively with a wide range of individuals, groups, and organizations.

CCASA values diverse life experience and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People of color and people who are bilingual/bicultural, Native/Indigenous, with disabilities, and/or identify as LGBTQI are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and answers to supplemental questions (see below) to Brie Akins, Executive Director, no later than 11:59pm Mountain Time on Sunday, August 16th to:

Email: director@ccasa.org with “Director of Policy” in subject line (preferred)
Fax: 303-839-0019
Mail: 1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 700, Denver, CO 80203
No phone calls please.
Please follow these instructions to ensure review of your application.

Instructions for Supplemental Questions: Briefly answer the following questions using no more than 3 pages total, typed, 12pt Times New Roman font.

Why does sexual violence occur and how can we work to more effectively respond to and prevent it?
Describe your experience doing legislative/policy work, including working with stakeholders to identify priorities and strategies for addressing them; drafting legislation/policies; advocating for legislation/policies; preparing survivors to testify; implementing new legislation/policies; and providing technical assistance and training regarding legislation/policies.
What are some barriers/obstacles to engaging local programs and survivors in legislative and policy advocacy and what are some strategies you might employ to actively engage them?

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