Public Policy Manager, Legal

I. Purpose & Summary of Position

The Texas Council on Family Violence is the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition in Texas dedicated solely to creating safer communities and freedom from family violence. With a state-wide reach and direct local impact, TCFV, with the collective strength of more than 1000 members, shapes public policy, equips service providers, and initiates strategic prevention efforts.

The Public Policy Manager reports directly to the Director of Public Policy and is a member of the Policy Team.  The Policy Team informs, supports and implements survivor-centered policy, systems change, legislative, and regulatory initiatives. This Team works to create accessible opportunities and resources for improved stability and sustained well-being for survivors of domestic violence and their families; collaborates with allied partners and agencies; and provides liaison between family violence service providers and state agencies.

This position manages the legal systems efforts on the TCFV Policy team, including supervising, supporting, and overseeing work of on-site and remote employees on various projects and grants.  This Public Policy Manager provides training, technical assistance and systems advocacy to survivors, advocates with a focus on criminal and civil legal systems professionals. 

II. Essential Responsibilities/Duties

1. Training Development and Coordination- 25%

• Develop and provide training on issues related to family violence laws and best practice policies for those in the criminal justice system and the civil legal system including for judges, law enforcement, probation and parole personnel, civil and criminal lawyers, prosecutors, and other allied professionals and community members across the state. Focusing on enhancing professional and systemic approaches to family violence which prioritize victim safety and bring a lens of racial justice principles to future work with these systems.
• Develop and provide training and support to domestic violence advocates focusing on the intersection of civil and criminal legal systems in a survivor-centered manner.
• Develop resources and offer expertise and training to guide implementation of new family violence laws following legislative session.

2. Technical Assistance and Consultation- 25%

• Manage and implement statewide projects enhancing legal responses for survivors of family violence.  Manager will provide oversight of a project portfolio including domestic violence high risk teams, supporting legal system partners such as prosecutors, the program attorney network, family violence program attorneys and other assigned projects related to civil and criminal legal system responses.
• Respond to requests for information and technical assistance on issues related to criminal and civil legal systems; and/or other public policy issues, via phone calls, emails and listserv posts; and follow-up as needed.
• Develop technical assistance resource materials for a wide variety of audiences including legal research and development of legal memoranda and policy recommendations; and document institutional responses to survivors seeking assistance.  Consult and collaborate with legal experts and other allied professionals as needed.

3. Systems Advocacy Efforts- 25%

• Research, track, and provide recommendations about bills during legislative session, including TCFV’s priorities and other proposals that impact family violence survivors and the allies who support them.
• Supports the Director in the development of the national and local legislative strategy relating to legal systems and responses and analysis of related bills. 
• In concert with training and TA efforts, works to promote more responsive, survivor centered approaches among criminal and civil legal stakeholders.

4. Team Leadership/Administrative: 25 %

• Maintain accurate grant reporting, timesheet submission, and other related processes.
• Support grant and contract processes related to Domestic Violence High Risk Team sites and offer strong input into relevant grant applications and reporting that support the work of the Policy team.

• Assist the Director in development of grant proposals, reports, and long-range planning for the Team’s grant activities.
• Supervise Policy Coordinator(s) as assigned, assist the Director in overall supervision of the Team and in achievement of goals. 
• Other projects and responsibilities may be added and/or changed at the discretion of the Directors.

Salary $61,000.00 - $65,000.00

III. Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required: 

• Texas residency required. This role is a hybrid remote job and requires in-office responsibilities on a periodic basis. Hybrid staff are also expected to travel and attend in person activities associated with their job descriptions and duties. Outside of these expectations, hybrid staff work remotely within the state of Texas.  
• Juris Doctorate, Barred in Texas strongly preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of domestic violence issues & the circumstances faced by those experiencing it.
• A minimum of three years legal and/or systems advocacy experience on behalf of survivors or other special interests. 
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including BIPOC survivors, advocates, and stakeholders in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a decision-making process.
• An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias- particularly in policing and court systems and the overall domestic violence movement.
• Able to demonstrate leadership and supervision skills.
• Strong and effective interpersonal skills grounded in diplomacy to participate in, facilitate or lead teams to engage and/or partner with a wide variety of people and organizations, from state agency personnel to grassroots community organizers.
• Driven to develop and maintain strategic professional working relationships with community members, domestic violence program staff, agency staff and board, vendors, consultants, allied professionals, other stakeholders and general public.
• Self-driven, self-directed to work independently and as part of a team and/or with minimal supervision, disciplined time management skills to coordinate and prioritize own and others’ activities; evaluate progress, provide feedback; and reallocate resources as needed.
• Critical analytical skills to understand the political, social, financial and external issues affecting service providers; to foresee and interpret trends and dynamics changing needs of TCFV constituents; and to develop process and resources to respond effectively and in a timely manner. 

Preferred:    

• Experience in policy / legislative advocacy.
• Bi-lingual English/Spanish language a plus as is any bi-lingual / bi-cultural lived experience.
• Experience providing direct services to individuals affected by domestic violence.
• Experience in data analysis, budgeting, contract management and oversight. 

IV. Working Conditions and Environment/Physical Demands:

Ability to communicate and converse in English.  Travel up to 25% during non-legislative session times.  Ability to frequently tolerate prolonged stationary positions and frequently move about a large public building.  Ability to engage in frequent public contact.  Professional attire may be required for most public-facing work.  Must possess the emotional and physical stamina to deal with a variety of high-pressure situations, such as: responding to complaints, handling difficult internal and external interaction, effectively working long and, at times, odd hours.   

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and minimum level of work being performed.  They are not intended to be construed as exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for the position.  The employee will be required to perform any other job-related duties as required by the job objectives, the CEO and mission and philosophy of TCFV.