Job Title: Policy Associate

Location: Portland, Oregon

Category: Full time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt, hourly

Grade: J; $51,580 – $68,773

Bargaining Unit Union position

ORGANIZATION SUMMARY

Innovation Law Lab is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leverages advocacy, technology and law to fight for immigrant and refugee justice. Our collaborative legal representation model and technology transform the way lawyers and advocates scale their work to provide effective support to immigrants in hostile jurisdictions, while also developing creative strategies for challenging the immigration system itself.

Law Lab employs creative legal and organizing strategies to directly challenge barriers to asylum access, prototype new inclusive systems and policy work, provide legal representation and combat injustices in the immigration legal system, and advocate for detained individuals while working to shut down immigration prisons. Law Lab also plays a vital role in the development and implementation of some of Oregon’s most progressive immigration policies including the life changing pandemic relief and Oregon’s Universal Representation program, Equity Corps of Oregon.

JOB SUMMARY

The Policy Associate blends support of the Executive Director and Director of Strategy with tasks including but not limited to: developing and implementing advocacy strategies that engage policymakers, key stakeholders, and assure the provision of high quality immigration legal services. The nature of the role will vary over time and maximum flexibility is inherent in the role, tasks, duties and responsibilities. While the Policy Associate has a direct supervisor and will primarily support their Supervisor’s portfolio, it is expected that the Policy Associate serves as a generalist and supports the entire strategy team on advancing Law Lab’s priorities. The Policy Associate can expect to engage with multiple issues at once and is responsible for tracking, and analyzing policy proposals, legislative activities, and relationships; preparing drafts of timely and compelling advocacy materials; supporting and engaging legislative staff and policies, and providing administrative support to advance Innovation Law Lab’s policy and advocacy efforts. The Policy Associate will also be responsible for providing day to day legal operations and legal assistant support to the Executive Director. The Policy Associate reports to the Director of Strategy and will maintain strong relationships with Innovation Law Lab staff, partner organizations, legal service providers, media stakeholders and supporters across the country.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research, track, analyze, and provide regular assessments of legislative and policy activity relevant to Innovation Law Lab’s programs and mission;
• Identifying, developing, and nurturing relationships with partners, ally organizations, policymakers, funders, and program alumni; participating in and building coalitions as needed;
• Developing and distributing legislative and/or regulatory briefings, public comments, testimony, fact sheets, support letters, and other tools to educate policymakers and the public on issues relevant to Innovation Law Lab’s mission;
• Attend and, in coordination with Strategy Team staff, support regular meetings, calls, and communications with policymakers and stakeholders;
• Engaging staff in advocacy work, including but not limited to providing teach-ins for staff and participants/partners around relevant policy issues, best practices in nonprofit advocacy, and legislative/regulatory processes;
• Provide administrative support to the Strategy Team, including scheduling, note-taking, agenda and meeting materials development, project management, and maintaining calendar;
• Provide day to day logistics support to legal clients including scheduling & arranging appointments, screening for eligibility, troubleshooting interactions;
• Frequent written and oral correspondence with clients- providing resources, case placement, scheduling and referral to support services;
• Use curated templates and, under attorney supervision, draft legal documents, statements, and correspondence primarily in English and Spanish; also arrange for other languages as needed;
• Maintain & organize complete and accurate client profiles and deadlines in appropriate software and technology platforms;
• Assist Executive Director in preparing various applications on behalf of clients.
• Other policy, legal service or advocacy-related tasks as identified to promote our organizational work.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The following are the minimum levels required to successfully perform the essential job duties and responsibilities.

• Bachelor’s degree required or comparable experience;
• Have +3 years of direct experience in legislative work, policy advocacy or legal assistance and paralegal work in immigrant justice or other comparable progressive issues;
• Familiarity with the legislative process in Oregon;
• Advanced written, analytical, verbal, and organizational skills with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, respectfully, and compellingly;
• Spanish language skills, particularly spoken Spanish are required
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds is highly preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to be creative and resourceful in a rapidly shifting advocacy space;
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrants’ rights and the rule of law.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environment and Physical Requirements:

The Policy Associate regularly works out of the Law Lab office in Portland or Oregon State Capitol and the position is based at the Portland Law Lab office. The Policy Associate interacts with staff, visitors, vendors, government agencies, legislators and stakeholders. The position sits, stands, walks, bends, lifts, stoops, and moves intermittently during working hours. The incumbent must be able to lift, push, pull and move files and other equipment in excess of 10 pounds.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

This job description is a summary of the essential duties and responsibilities for this job, and it does not represent an all-inclusive list of duties, responsibilities, tasks or procedures. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instruction or assignments. Nothing in this description restricts Law Lab’s right to assign or reassign duties at any time.

Accommodation Statement:

Essential job duties and responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform the job successfully, an incumbent or applicant must possess the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform each essential duty and responsibility proficiently. If you require an accommodation in order to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job, please contact the Innovation Law Lab’s Operations Director.

Compensation:

Salary will be set at an hourly rate commensurate with experience and skills based on the salary band listed above. We offer an excellent benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, ability to enroll in Law Lab’s 401(k) plan, paid vacation and sick time, floating holidays, professional development time, and among other benefits.

Hours:

The Policy Associate position is a full-time position and works a minimum of 40 hours per week. This position may be required to work extended hours based on fluctuating workloads and business needs. This may include evenings, weekends, and holidays. The position is classified as non-exempt and is eligible for overtime pay. Regular business hours are Monday – Friday from 8am – 5pm. The position is based at the Portland, Oregon office.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At Innovation Law Lab, our aim is to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone feels empowered to be their whole selves and is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from qualified individuals, irrespective of their race, skin color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability status, or any other characteristic.

Application Instructions: To apply, send your resume and a cover letter to jobs@innovationlawlab.org. Questions may also be directed to isa@innovationlawlab.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until February 15th.

Innovation Law Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer.