Director of Policy or Associate Director of Policy

Rising Sun is hiring a Director of Policy to lead its growing policy advocacy work. This position leads Rising Sun’s High Road initiatives and develops and advances Rising Sun’s policy advocacy platform and strategies at the intersection of our areas of work: equity, climate, and quality, accessible jobs. The Director of Policy’s approach is bidirectional, grounded in and supporting Rising Sun’s employment and training program participants while advancing systems-level change in furtherance of our vision of a just and sustainable future for all people and our planet.

The Director of Policy will build on Rising Sun’s early policy success through the Bay Area’s High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) for Residential Building Decarbonization, including the Partnership’s recommended labor standards for residential building decarbonization programs, which have already influenced over $1B in public funding and the jobs they support. The Director of Policy will continue to lead the Partnership in its next iteration, focusing on continued labor standards advocacy, technical assistance for labor standard implementation, contractor supports, and consideration of new industries.

In addition, the Director of Policy will help to shape Rising Sun’s policy work in the years to come, maintaining a close connection to Rising Sun’s programs and the needs of our participants and graduates. The position supervises a Policy Associate and works closely with Rising Sun’s HRTP consultant, Good Green Work, as well as with HRTP members and other external stakeholders and partners. This position reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer.

• Rising Sun may choose to hire an Associate Director of Policy depending on organizational needs and applicant qualifications
  
  

For more information about Rising Sun, please visit www.risingsunopp.org.

A successful Director of Policy…

• Is passionate about Rising Sun’s intersectional mission and excited to actively advance it
• Understands existing power structures and how to work within them while actively building new, more equitable structures for racial equity, self-determination, and liberation
• Understands that Rising Sun provides services that address the symptoms of racism and systemic oppression, and views policy advocacy work as a mechanism for systems-level change to address these issues
• Comfortably navigates nuance and ambiguity, and easily translates complex concepts for understanding
• Thinks creatively, analytically, tactically, and expansively, always listening for new opportunities
• Enjoys working collaboratively and meeting new people; has strong relationship-building and interpersonal skills, and is equally comfortable building relationships virtually and in-person
• Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing; able to develop trust and build consensus with a diverse range of individuals; makes space for others and uplifts diverse perspectives
• Handles challenging situations with professionalism, compassion, and integrity; is energized by creating solutions to complex problems and building bridges
• Has an appetite for both detail and strategy, and knows when each is needed
• Values learning and continuous improvement
• Demonstrates self-awareness in terms of understanding their own culture, identity, biases, prejudices, power, privilege, and stereotypes
• Demonstrates willingness to challenge and change institutional practices that present barriers to different groups
  
  

The Director of Policy is responsible for…

Policy Initiatives, Department, and Strategy

• Building Rising Sun’s policy advocacy capacity in collaboration with the CEO, informed by on-the-ground program work/needs/expertise and our organization’s intersectional mission, vision, and values, with a focus on High Road workforce development and labor standards, as well as equitable access to clean energy investments for all Californians
• Collaborating to design and grow Rising Sun’s Policy Department, developing policy priorities and the staffing and resources to implement them
• Actively advocating for Rising Sun’s policy priorities; submitting comments, representing Rising Sun at key public events and forums, leading persuasive presentations for key decision-makers, and serving as an expert resource and technical advisor, particularly on the topic of High Road frameworks and labor standards
• Leading Department funding proposals and new opportunity prospecting in partnership with the Development team; collaborating on strategic development opportunities
• Developing and tracking metrics to evaluate effectiveness and impact
• Exploring opportunities to engage staff, program participants, Board members, and alumni in advocacy work
• Identifying and nurturing relationships with key partners, including advocacy groups, grassroots organizers, and community-based organizations: amplifying impact through coalitions and collaboration; identifying areas where Rising Sun can fill a gap and meet a need, rather than duplicating efforts
• Maintaining strong familiarity of and connections with Rising Sun’s programs to remain aware of program models and of participant and community needs
• Identifying and uplifting additional policies and programs that provide opportunities for Rising Sun’s program participants and Green House Call customers
• Staying informed and up to date on High Road and workforce trends, best practices, and opportunities, particularly as related to climate investments and the clean economy
• Externally promoting the importance of High Road workforce standards and accessible career pathways tied to public climate investments, representing Rising Sun in partnerships, such as the CA Green New Deal Coalition
• Collaborating with the CEO to engage in advocacy related to energy efficiency and ratepayer funds
• Tracking and reporting on Rising Sun’s policy advocacy engagement and success
• Implementing elements of Rising Sun’s Strategic Plan related to policy advocacy
• Working with finance/admin to maintain all requirements for policy department grants and allowable 501c3 advocacy, as needed
• Hiring, onboarding, supervising, and coaching Department staff, and delegating responsibilities, as applicable
• Developing and tracking the Policy Department budget
• Collaborating with the Communications team on messaging and visibility
• Additional responsibilities as assigned
  
  

High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) for Residential Building Decarbonization

• Leading the Bay Area High Road Training Partnership (HRTP) for Residential Building Decarbonization and all its elements, collaborating with all project stakeholders (CBOs, unions, cities, agencies, employers, workers, funders, etc.), to maintain and sustain the partnership in alignment with its principles and towards its North Star, with support from Good Green Work and guidance from the CEO as needed
• Collaborating on partnership management, strategy, and scope with Good Green Work; overseeing Good Green Work to ensure that all HRTP grant administration, contracting, and compliance; budget oversight; and project deliverables are managed according to the independent consulting contract
• Leading the Partnership in its next iteration, focusing on continued labor standards advocacy, providing technical assistance for labor standard implementation, the development of a contractor supports plan, and consideration of new industries
• Holding primary relationships with all HRTP partners and stakeholders; serving as the primary point of contact and expertise for external HRTP requests
• Leading the development of policy advocacy efforts related to HRTP objectives and strategies
• Developing and implementing the HRTP workplan
  
  

Leadership

• Collaborate and consult as a member of Rising Sun’s Director Team to bear the leadership standard for the organization, implement the organizational vision, and contribute towards a thriving organizational culture
• Provide thought partnership to other members of the Director Team as needed; collaborate on Director Team annual themes, projects, and priorities
• Educate and inform Director Team members, Board members, staff, and program participants about Rising Sun’s policy advocacy work and priorities
• Other duties as required
  
  

To be considered for this position, you must…

• Have 4 years of experience working in the policy advocacy space in California
• Have experience managing and leading multi-stakeholder groups and projects
• Have experience with High Road workforce development frameworks
• Demonstrate advanced public speaking, facilitation, and coalition-building skills
• Have a passion for a just, equitable climate future for all
• Be able to work some flexible hours (e.g., occasional evenings and weekends)
• Have residency in California (preferably in the Bay Area or San Joaquin Valley) or the ability to move; be able to travel to our offices in Oakland and/or Stockton, as well as Sacramento, as required or requested
• In order to align with our commitment to public health for our employees, participants, and community, we require proof of completion of the primary series of an approved COVID-19 vaccination by your start date. For more information, please see Rising Sun’s Mandatory Vaccination Policy.
  
  

It’s a big plus if you…

• Have experience collaborating with labor unions, or experience with the labor movement
• Have experience with climate, sustainability, and/or environmental justice work
• Have expertise and facility with building electrification and decarbonization
• Demonstrate working knowledge and experience related to Rising Sun’s mission: economic equity, climate resilience, quality jobs
• Hold existing relationships with decision-makers and allied organizations in the Bay Area and/or State legislative or regulatory agencies
• Have a track record of leading or co-leading strategy and culture in collaboration with a team
• Have experience with and passion for racial justice work and/or environmental justice
• Have strong project management skills
• Have experience with regulatory and/or legislative policy and process in California
  
  

About Rising Sun…

Rising Sun is a premier nonprofit organization operating in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Stockton, and expanding in Central California. Our mission is to build career pathways for economic equity and climate resilience. With offices in Oakland and Stockton, Rising Sun’s workforce development programs, Climate Careers and Opportunity Build, specialize in preparing youth, women, and individuals in reentry for High Road careers and green pathways that offer family-sustaining wages. Since our founding in 1994, Rising Sun has trained and employed more than 3,000 youth and adults while helping over 53,000 households reduce their carbon footprint. Our vision is a just and sustainable future for all people and our planet.

About Our Culture…

We are mission-driven and work hard because we care about what we do. We are deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and antiracism, and are actively advancing on that journey, though we know the work is never done. We like working with each other and we like to make work fun. We’re into continuous improvement, learning, transparency, and tough conversations. We practice appreciation and start each meeting with a team-builder, and it’s not uncommon for staff to bring snacks to share that tell a story about who they are and where they come from. When we’re at the office, there’s usually at least one dog hanging around. We put people first, especially our program participants. We like to promote from within and build each other up, but we also like to bring in new ideas and different perspectives. We’re looking forward to meeting you and hearing about how you can contribute to making Rising Sun a great place to have an impact.

You Might Also Be Wondering About Pay And Benefits...

This is a permanent, full-time, exempt, salaried, and benefited position with an annual starting salary range in line with the following compensation structure:

Bay Area Resident

Central Valley Resident

Director

$106,114-$111,419

$101,524-$106,600

Associate Director

$97,610-$102,490

$93,540-$98,217

Rising Sun offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% coverage of Medical, Vision, Dental insurance for employees, 50% coverage for dependents
• 403b contribution option and 3% matching employer contribution after first year
• $100,000 Life Insurance Policy
• 17 PTO days/year (increases each year until year 10)
• 18 Holidays/year (includes 2 floating holidays and a week of closure during winter)
• 4 Restorative days/year
• Birthday off
• Hybrid Remote work options - dependent on position
• Monthly internet and phone reimbursement, totaling $100/month
• 40% pay from Rising Sun for 12 weeks of parental leave to supplement California's state disability leave and paid family leave payments
• 2 months of paid sabbatical after year 7
• Annual professional development budget
• Financial advising through Stonebridge Financial Group
• Access to mental health services and resources through SpringHealth
  
  

RISING SUN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Rising Sun is committed to diversity and considers all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, and disability status. Women and individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color are encouraged to apply.

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