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Position Summary:    As a member of the Voices for Children in Nebraska staff, the Child Welfare Policy Associate will work collaboratively to tell the whole story of children both at risk of abuse and neglect and in our child welfare system. They will assist the Policy Coordinator in driving positive system change through data analysis, research, youth and community engagement, and monitoring policy changes in both statute and regulations at the federal, state and local level.

Reporting Relationship:  Reports to the Executive Director and Policy Coordinator for Child Welfare & Juvenile Justice

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify obstacles and needed policy changes to improve the child welfare systems.
• Identify and monitor policy changes being proposed by state and federal agencies, the state legislature, U.S. Congress and occasionally local political subdivisions that impact child welfare.
•  Identify areas of further research needed for advocacy and work with Executive Director to write grants to fund and develop such projects
• Work with Executive Director and Policy Coordinator for Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice to formulate and determine Voices for Children’s positions on legislative and administrative proposals.
• Work with Communications and Operations Coordinator to coordinate advocacy efforts by Voices for Children staff and followers including networking and coordination with other organizations and individuals as related to child welfare.
• Build resource library and files including policy analysis, research, statistics and articles for child welfare and juvenile justice.
• Coordinate community-based activities including community meetings, touring child-serving facilities to gain service delivery knowledge, and making contacts to expand advocacy efforts.
• Respond to public speaking engagements for congregations, civic, professional and community organizations to empower them to speak out and advocate for justice.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years of child welfare system experience required
• Passion for improving the systems serving our children through communication and collaboration with those served by the child welfare system, service providers, and state government.
• Knowledge of the child welfare system and child development, with an ability and interest in constantly pursuing new information and research on policies and practices’ impact on children and families.
• Ability and experience writing clearly and concisely on complicated policy issues for a variety of audiences and publications, spanning from elected officials to social media.
• Familiarity with the legislative process preferred.

Salary commensurate with experience.

To apply, send a resume, cover letter explaining why you are a suitable candidate, and relevant writing sample to jobs@voicesforchildren.com with “Child Welfare Policy Associate” in the subject line.  This position is available immediately. Qualified candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis.  The position will remain open until it is filled.

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