Careers

Job Posting: Public Policy Manager

Location: Sacramento, CA.

The California Council for Affordable Housing (CCAH) is seeking a Public Policy Manager to support and advance the organization’s advocacy efforts to promote affordable rental housing development across California. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing, coordinating, and executing CCAH’s legislative and regulatory advocacy strategies, with a focus on addressing the critical need for affordable rental housing. The Public Policy Manager will establish and maintain strategic relationships and influence local, state, and federal legislative bodies and government agencies to represent and protect the interests of California’s production-focused affordable rental housing development community. This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of policy, community development, and affordable housing advocacy, making a meaningful impact on housing solutions in California.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Development & Advocacy

• Works with the Executive Director and Policy Committee to set and refine CCAH’s public policy agenda, ensuring alignment with the organization’s goals and mission.
• Monitors, tracks, and analyzes state and federal legislation, regulations, and policies impacting affordable housing development and related sectors and prepares regular updates for CCAH executive director, members, and other stakeholders.
• Develops and advocates for CCAH’s policy priorities and positions through direct engagement with legislators, government agencies, and key stakeholders.
• Drafts policy briefs, position papers, and advocacy materials that communicate CCAH’s positions on key issues to stakeholders, policymakers, the media, and the public.
• Researches housing policy, economic trends, and legislative proposals that affect affordable housing development.
• Builds and maintains relationships with policymakers, industry experts, government officials,
  community organizations, and other key stakeholders.
• Coordinates and represents CCAH in coalitions and partnerships focused on affordable housing policy and advocacy efforts.
• Represents CCAH at legislative hearings, public meetings, and other forums.
  

Legislative Strategy, PAC Coordination & Campaigns

• Works closely with contract lobbyists to develop and execute strategies to advance CCAH’s mission.
• Maintains relationships with key legislators and agencies.
• Provides contract lobbyist with necessary background materials, talking points, and briefings to support their advocacy on CCAH’s behalf.
• Staffs statewide Policy & Advocacy Committee, delivering relevant policies, programs, and procedures.
• Serves as a liaison to CCAH’s Political Action Committee (PAC), coordinating strategy, fundraising, and political outreach efforts to support pro-affordable housing candidates and policies.
• Works closely with the PAC chair and committee to ensure alignment with CCAH’s advocacy goals and priorities.

Member Support & Education

• Provides policy updates and advocacy tools to CCAH members, ensuring they are informed and equipped to engage in advocacy efforts.
• Organizes and staffs’ member advocacy events, such as lobby days, briefings, and workshops focused on policy education and engagement.
• Assists in developing educational materials that shed light on complex housing policies and their implications.
• Assists in the production of data-driven policy reports and white papers on key issues.
• Oversees forums and town hall meetings to connect membership to their elected officials and relevant political issues.
• Develops scorecards and voter guides on local and statewide issues.
• Identifies opportunities for grassroots engagement on state issues including coordinating office visits and other advocacy activities.

Public Relations & Communications

• Drafts public statements, press releases, op-eds, and other media materials related to advocacy efforts.
• Promotes CCAH’s policy initiatives through social media, newsletters, and other digital channels.
• Supports ED in establishing relationships and partnerships with policymakers, community leaders, advocacy organizations, and funders to foster coalition building, joint advocacy efforts, and funding to sustain statewide policy and advocacy initiatives.
• Assists in producing CCAH’s two conferences annually.

Qualifications

Any combination of the following skills, knowledge, education, experience, and personal characteristics will be considered:

• A degree in public policy, political science, urban planning, public administration, or a related field.
• Three to five years experience in public policy, government relations, or advocacy, preferably within the housing, urban planning, or non-profit sectors.
• Knowledge of California’s housing policy landscape, including affordable housing finance, low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC), land use, zoning laws, and state and federal housing programs.
• Experience working with state or local government agencies, legislative bodies, and/or affordable housing developers is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of the legislative and regulatory processes at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Ability to analyze complex policy issues and communicate them effectively to diverse audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft concise and persuasive policy documents, reports, and presentations.
• Strong relationships, relationship-building skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated proactive and strategic thinker with strong problem solving skills.
• Collaborative team player.

Compensation & Work Format

This is a full-time, exempt position with a salary range of $78,000 – $90,000. The successful candidate will be primarily in office with some flexibility for a limited hybrid work schedule.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit a resume, a cover letter including salary expectations, three professional references and a writing sample using the form below.

In your cover letter, please explain how your skills and experience align with the responsibilities of this role.

Please submit a full packet with all requested documents in a single PDF file. Incomplete application packets may not be considered.

RFP: Lobbying Firm Services

Issue Date: November 18, 2024
Proposal Due Date: December 9, 2024

The California Council for Affordable Housing (CCAH) is seeking an experienced lobbying firm to support its advocacy efforts in promoting affordable rental housing policies throughout the state of California. CCAH represents the interests of production focused affordable housing developers, some non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders who are committed to expanding rental housing options for low- and moderate-income Californians. The selected firm will work closely with CCAH to strengthen its legislative influence and secure positive outcomes for affordable housing policies.