The Permanent Commission is Hiring a Policy Coordinator

The Policy Coordinator at the Permanent Commission on the Status of Racial, Indigenous, and Tribal Populations (Permanent Commission) will lead work related to the Permanent Commission’s statutory mandate, to advise and consult with the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government about the status of historically disadvantaged racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations and strategies to improve that status. 

The Policy Coordinator will develop and implement the Permanent Commission’s broad-reaching public policy platform to reduce racial disparities in public determinants of health in all sixteen counties. It requires a high degree of collaboration with all relevant Permanent Commission staff and Commissioners, external organizations, legislators and legislative committees, and a wide range of state agencies and entities.

The position reports to the Executive Director.

Primary responsibilities include:  

Develop overall policy strategy

• Develop and implement the Permanent Commission’s comprehensive, data-informed public policy platform to consult with and advise the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to improve opportunities and eliminate disparities for historically disadvantaged racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations in the State of Maine.
• Develop and implement the public policy work plan for each fiscal year and ensure it is accomplished in a timely and efficient manner, delegating tasks where appropriate.

Lead legislative engagement strategy

• Develop and implement an engagement strategy for each legislative session, including:
  • Identify and track bills under consideration by the Legislature that may have a direct or indirect impact on racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations and/or that mention or may impact the work of the Permanent Commission.
  • Develop proposals for consideration by the Policy Committee and Executive Director on priority bills on which the Permanent Commission should provide public testimony.
  • Prepare and present testimony to the Legislature with accurate information and research from reliable sources related to actual and/or potential impacts of proposed legislation on racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations.
  • On request by Joint Standing Committees, prepare for and participate in Legislative Work Sessions.
  • Support the Executive Director in preparation of testimony to the Legislature on proposals that impact the resources, capacity, staffing, or funding of the Permanent Commission.
• Develop proposals for legislation to improve opportunities and eliminate disparities for historically disadvantaged racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations, including:
  • Draft proposed legislation.
  • Engage with Legislators to secure appropriate co-sponsors and wider support.
  • Work with non-partisan Legislative staff (Office of the Revisor, Office of Policy and Legal Analysis, Office of Fiscal and Policy Analysis) to provide accurate information to facilitate their work.
  • Prepare and deliver testimony in support of Permanent Commission-introduced bills.
  • On request by Joint Standing Committees, prepare for and participate in Legislative Work Sessions.
• Manage the public policy components of projects and initiatives arising out of enacted legislation that requires the Permanent Commission to act and report on progress to the Legislature.

Manage executive and judicial branch engagement strategies

• With the Executive Director, engage with and consult the judicial branch and executive branch agencies to develop appropriate strategies to advise and consult on ways to improve opportunities for and status of historically disadvantaged racial, Indigenous, and tribal populations.
• Lead the public policy components of racial impact assessments of current executive branch programs and policies, including identifying areas of disproportionate racial impact and recommendations to reduce disparities in program design and implementation.
• Lead the public policy components of other research projects, including analyzing and interpreting data from primary and secondary research to inform the Permanent Commission’s public policy positions and recommendations.

Manage Policy Committee

• Manage the monthly meetings of the Permanent Commission’s Policy Committee, including 
• Pro-actively working with the Committee Chair to create agendas and decision points for the Committee 
• Writes and presents briefing papers on public policy issues that identify strategic options and recommendations about how to best advance the Permanent Commission’s public policy platform
• Arranging Committee meetings, minutes, and other Committee administration. 
• Being the first point of contact for Committee members or other Commissioners on policy-related issues.

Miscellaneous

• Manage, mentor, and support Permanent Commission Fellows and Interns undertaking public policy work.
• Advise and provide technical support to the Executive Director, Permanent Commission staff, Policy Committee, and full Permanent Commission on any public policy implications and issues that may arise in any projects or initiatives.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, ideally developed in a public policy context.
• Ability to remain non-partisan and build relationships with individuals from all parties.
• Demonstrated experience of working collaboratively with a range of internal and external partners.
• Ability to multitask, work independently, take initiative, and problem-solve. 
• Exhibits the Permanent Commission’s cultural values of teamwork, responsibility, accountability, excellence, openness, and balance. 
• Excellent project management skills.
• Ability to be flexible and innovative.

Minimum qualifications:

• At least five years of experience with public policy advocacy, state or federal government, and/or law.
• Strong understanding of issues related to racial, Indigenous, and/or tribal populations, through lived and/or professional experience. 
• Strong relationships and relationship-building skills, especially with BIPOC communities, state government actors, community partners, and others. 

Additional Attributes of Strong Candidates: 

• Experience or understanding of the Maine State Legislature.
• Experience in advising local or state government.
• Strong ties to a marginalized community. 

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Hunter Cropsey at hunter.cropsey@maine.gov

Application Instructions:

Apply online at: https://mainebhr.hire.trakstar.com/jobs/fk0xago