Policy Coordinator – Drug Policy Alliance – Trenton, NJ

Title: Policy Coordinator

Type: Full-Time

Supervisor:Senior Director, Resident States

Department: Public Policy

Location: Trenton, New Jersey

Last Day to Apply: Applications will be reviewed immediately and will be accepted until the position is filled.

The Drug Policy Alliance has an immediate opening for a Policy Coordinator reporting directly to the Senior Director of Resident States. The position is based in the Drug Policy Alliance’s Trenton office.

The Drug Policy Alliance (DPA) is the nation’s leading organization of people who believe the war on drugs is doing more harm than good. In its vision of the future, individuals will not be punished simply for what they put into their bodies, only for harm done to others. DPA fights for drug policies based on science, compassion, health and human rights and seeks to promote dialogue on cutting-edge drug policy issues around the country. Its work spans issues from ending marijuana prohibition and promoting more honest and effective drug education to reducing the many harms of drug use and drug laws. DPA works to ensure that our nation’s drug policies no longer arrest, incarcerate, disenfranchise and otherwise harm millions of nonviolent people, especially people of color.

DPA’s work encompasses a wide array of policy issues, including:

Sentencing reform and alternatives to incarceration
Harm reduction (HIV, hepatitis C and overdose prevention)
Ending marijuana prohibition, marijuana decriminalization, medical marijuana
Drug education, youth and drugs
Race and the drug war
Effective drug treatment
Civil liberties and rights
International drug control
Alternatives to prohibition and pragmatic steps for ending the drug war

In the last 15 years, DPA has expanded from its New York headquarters to include eight offices, 70 plus staff, an annual operating budget of approximately $14 million, 35,000 dues-paying members and more than 300,000 online subscribers. It has a solid track record of success at the local, state, and federal levels and consistent visibility in prominent media and policy circles. For more information, visit our website at www.drugpolicy.org.

The Position

The Policy Coordinator will primarily coordinate policy development and implementation for campaigns including harm reduction and marijuana policy reform. This work will include research and development of policy support materials such as briefing books, fact sheets, information packets, web content, and press releases. The Policy Coordinator will coordinate communications and projects with other Drug Policy Alliance offices and departments. The Policy Coordinator will also organize all events related to policy goals such as lobbying days, press conferences, trainings, and testimony for legislative hearings.

The Policy Coordinator will assist the Deputy State Director and/or State Director in identifying what policies and reforms to pursue in New Jersey based on DPA criteria. After assisting with policy goal setting, the Policy Coordinator will coordinate all aspects of policy development and implementation, particularly the roll-out and oversight of advocacy campaigns. The Policy Coordinator will assist the Deputy Director in building and maintaining DPA’s advocacy support coalitions and will coordinate policy work with DPA allies and coalition partners. The Policy Coordinator will oversee electronic and mail outreach to legislators and other elected officials.

The ideal candidate will be a collegial, self-motivated, organized individual who thinks conceptually, creatively, and strategically. The ideal candidate will be knowledgeable about harm reduction and drug policy reform issues and have a passion for the mission and values of the organization. Prior legislative, policy development and implementation experience a plus.

This is a grant funded position.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

Excellent research skills including experience with various web databases such as lexis/nexis
Proven writing and analytic skills
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
Ability to organize and prioritize
Ability to work well with diverse communities and organizations
Ability to coordinate advocacy coalitions
Familiarity with the legislative process
Ability to plan events
Excellent attention to detail
A high degree of proficiency with standard office applications such as Excel, Word and Outlook
Direct experience with drug policy reform preferred; commitment to harm reduction philosophy and racial justice essential
Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends and to travel periodically throughout the state
College degree in public policy/administration, public health, social work, or related field preferred but not required

Primary Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities include:

Assist with policy development and goal setting
Develop advocacy support materials for policymakers and advocacy partners, including briefing books, fact sheets, and information packets
Craft communications for DPA supporters, elected officials and the public including
email updates, legislative correspondence, and newsletter items
Write and publish Letters to the Editor and other media pieces
Draft press releases and editorial board letters
Research and draft legislation, legislative testimony and policy memos
Act as back-up for tracking legislation using online tracking service and manage legislative colanders
Plan and coordinate events and trainings
Monitor media coverage of DPA-related issues
Assist with developing, organizing and communicating with support coalitions including grasstops, grassroots, and individual advocates
Attend occasional legislative meetings with State Director and Deputy Director
Supervise subordinate staff and interns and delegate appropriate tasks

Additional general responsibilities include:

Processing payments
Preparing expense reports
Tracking and ordering office supplies
Answering the phone and taking messages
Assisting generally with office projects as needed

Terms of Employment

This position requires the candidate to live in the New Jersey area. Telecommuting will not be allowed. Some travel required.

How to apply

Submit a cover letter with your resume and salary requirements by email to: hr@drugpolicy.org.

Please include in the subject line the following: “First Name, Last Name – Policy Coordinator, NJ Office” or by mail to:

Lina Mingoia Human Resources Manager Re: (Policy Coordinator, NJ Office)

Drug Policy Alliance 131 West 33th Street 15th Floor New York, NY 10001

The Drug Policy Alliance is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women, people of color, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are particularly interested in hiring those who have been adversely affected by the war on drugs.

Note: Only those candidates under consideration will be contacted.

Please Do Not Call

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