ADVOCACY & POLICY MANAGER

Are you passionate about advocating for fair housing policies, expanding affordable housing access, and making a meaningful impact in your community? 

At Habitat for Humanity of Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties, one of the largest Habitat affiliates in the country, we’re looking for dynamic, solutions-oriented professionals who thrive in fast-paced environments, embrace challenges, and are dedicated to generating a lasting impact on affordable homeownership in the Puget Sound. Since 1986, we’ve created 1,000 housing solutions for more than 2,600 people and successfully advocated for fair housing policies at the city, county, and state levels. As we set our sights on doubling our impact and serving an additional 2,000 people by 2030, we need the right team members to help us get there.   

Join us as the Advocacy and Policy Manager, where you will lead efforts to advance Habitat’s mission of advocating for affordable housing and just housing policies.

Your Impact: 

Advocacy:
•    Serve as Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties primary point of contact for jurisdictions as assigned.
•    In collaboration with the CAO to speak on behalf of the affiliate for its advocacy agenda items
•    Engage with other housing practitioners to implement a local housing advocacy platform from a community perspective.
•    Support Habitat’s involvement in the Legislative Day in Olympia and follow up activities.
•    Forge partnerships with organizations along the housing continuum so that all may work together to advocate for fair and just local housing policy.
•    Organize and train homebuyers for hearings and meetings in Olympia, King & Kittitas Counties, and at various cities during the legislative session and throughout the year.
•    Create and maintain relationships with local elected officials within assigned jurisdiction to be a trusted advisor on housing issues.
•    In partnership with the GRA staff, craft and execute on Habitat’s local legislative agenda by working with the appropriate committees in writing legislation, identifying and recruiting legislative champions, creating messaging for the bills, working with lobbyists (if relevant) in navigation and advancement of bills, coordinating meetings and hearing testimony. 

Community Impact
•    Organize homeowners, homebuyers, advocates, volunteers, Habitat Young Professionals members, and others within assigned jurisdiction to mobilize political power for affordable housing and homeownership across the service area.
•    Partner with housing providers along the housing continuum to increase public awareness of Habitat for Humanity and our policy objectives.
•    Support efforts to engage the affiliate’s constituency with the housing advocacy message and present opportunities for our advocacy actions.
•    Continually prepare and update materials for the affiliate to study and reflect on housing policy trends and its potential impact on our work.
•    Perform research activities to provide analysis to support the public awareness and policy objectives of the organization.
 

What You Bring: 

• 4 years progressively responsible experience in policy, advocacy, affordable housing, campaigning or government on any level.
  •    Relevant experience in issues like advocacy, community outreach and civic political processes. Strong commitment to increasing the supply of affordable housing. 
  •    Proven ability to quickly develop working relationships and exceptional communication skills.
  •    Can maneuver through complex political situations effectively. 
  •    Relates well to all kinds of people, up, down, and sideways, inside and outside the organization; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact.
  •    Calm and very pleasant demeanor when working with a wide variety of people.  
  •    Excellent computer skills including Microsoft Suite, Social media platforms, web-based meeting proficiency, Adobe and Google products.
  •    Ability to efficiently and effectively organize work and time, multiple and conflicting priorities and work independently.  Ability to work in an office with frequent interruptions.  Must be a self-starter and work independently.
  •    Ability to manage multiple stakeholders with differing priorities.
  •    Current driver’s license and vehicle and ability to travel by car or plane. 
  •    Ability to establish and maintain excellent working relationships with Habitat staff and affiliate volunteers, constituents, and elected officials and their staff. 
  •    Must be able to multi-task several activities with differing deadlines, importance, and stakeholders requiring exceptional ability to organize and prioritize work and manage time.

Our Mission: We build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. 
Our Vision: A world where everyone has a decent place to live. 
Core Values: Lead with service. Respect all people. Build community. Deliver results. 

Our people are our greatest asset and a vital part of achieving our mission. We offer generous benefits, including: medical, dental, and vision insurance along with vacation and sick leave, short and long-term disability coverage, 401(k) with employer matching, and opportunities for professional development. 

Join our team and make a difference in our community!