Policy Director

JOB DESCRIPTION

February 2025

Policy Director 

ELLA BAKER CENTER

FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

OAKLAND, CA

ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights (EBC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Oakland, California, organizing to shift resources away from prisons and punishment towards opportunities that make our communities safe, healthy, and strong. Named after civil rights hero Ella Baker, we mobilize Black, Brown, and low-income people to build power in our communities. For over 25 years, we have worked from the community to the legislative level to free our people from state violence. We are currently working to end mass incarceration and mass criminalization in the United States through Truth and Reinvestment—moving resources away from failed criminal legal policies and into creating opportunities, also known as “books not bars, jobs not jails, healthcare not handcuffs.” Through our programs, such as successful organizing in Alameda County, a robust state policy platform, and national leadership in the movement to end mass incarceration, EBC is building a culture of care to replace cages and cops.

The Ella Baker Center Action Fund (EBCAF) is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and a separate but affiliated organization with the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights. EBCAF mobilizes our communities — current and formerly incarcerated people, their loved ones, people who are low income, and Black and Brown communities — to exercise their full political power and hold institutions accountable. Like our namesake Ella Baker, we understand that true power lies within the people. EBCAF was born out of the vision to further build power amongst those most impacted by incarceration and criminalization. We mobilize these communities to ensure that our elected officials are focused on addressing the root causes of harm in our communities, instead of investing in failing institutions, such as prisons and policing, that exacerbate that harm.

OUR VALUES 

At Ella Baker Center, we win by doing our liberation work in alignment with and guided by our core values:

1. Prioritize people most impacted by policing and prisons

2. Accountability

3. Black Liberation

4. Interconnection

5. Transformation

6. Culture of Care and Healing

7. Self-Determination

The ideal candidate at EBC understands that our work uplifts the leadership and strategies of those most impacted by the criminal system: working-class people of color. Our primary aspiration is Black liberation, as these communities are the most harmed by policing and prisons. We practice accountability to our communities and each other by giving and receiving feedback, communicating directly, and building a culture of restorative justice.

We seek staff who are looking to not only transform the world but are themselves excited to be personally transformed by organizing for liberation while caring for ourselves or each other. Transformation means that we do not turn anyone away who seeks our advocacy or support based on what the state has charged them with. Inherent in collective liberation work — we ask our staff to do the personal work of organizing to dismantle white supremacy and cisheteropatriarchy and practice anti-oppression in everyday relationships. Our values mean we are building a leaderful movement, with an emphasis on those who have been systematically denied leadership and power.

POSITION SUMMARY 

The Policy Director will lead the state-level policy work in coordination with the Director of Programs and in consultation with relevant staff, policy consultants, EBC’s lobbyists, and formerly and currently incarcerated leaders. The state-level policy work includes developing campaigns to support Ella Baker Center-sponsored legislation, working in coalition to support legislative change, following the implementation of Ella Baker Center-sponsored legislation, and analyzing potential legislation.

PRIMARY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Policy Leadership

• Facilitate the development and execution of annual policy priorities that align with EBC's values and advance our Truth and Reinvestment Agenda.
• Drive statewide campaigns to end mass incarceration through inside/outside organizing strategies.
• Conduct strategic landscape analysis to identify emerging policy opportunities and build winning campaign strategies.
• Oversee EBC's legislative engagement, including bill tracking, analysis, and coordinating organizational positions on key legislation.
• Lead development of formal position letters and testimony to advance or oppose legislation aligned with EBC's mission.
• Develop implementation strategies for successful policy wins to ensure lasting impact.

Coalition & Movement Building

• Serve as EBC's policy expert and spokesperson with legislators, media, and movement partners.
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with criminal justice reform organizations, coalition partners, and directly impacted communities.
• Lead organizing efforts to mobilize support for EBC-sponsored bills and priority legislation.
• Coordinate with allied organizations to advance shared policy goals and strengthen collective impact.
• Represent EBC's mission and values in key spaces including legislative hearings, press conferences, and community forums.
• In coordination with relevant staff, support local implementation and coalition-building work that aligns with EBC’s interests.

Team & Leadership Development

• Directly supervise the Policy Associate and policy team members (2-4 staff), providing mentorship, strategic direction, and professional development support.
• Build the capacity of directly impacted communities through policy education and leadership development programs.
• Design and facilitate trainings on criminal legal landscape for EBC members, staff, and movement partners.
• Cultivate a strong team culture rooted in EBC's values of transformation and collective liberation.
• Support the development of interns and fellows to grow the next generation of movement leaders.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS 

• Proven commitment to racial, economic, and gender justice campaigns.
• Be located either in the Sacramento or Bay Area and able to work in an in-person capacity in both Sacramento and Oakland.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• 5-7 years of formal mentorship experience, can be in a supervisory role or other relevant leadership experience.
• Policy and/or campaign experience, including proven ability to successfully manage multiple time-sensitive projects.
• Knowledge of the local and state political and economic landscape as it relates to criminal and juvenile justice, with an emphasis on California.
• Comprehensive understanding of state criminal-legal systems, including critical issues, key policies, best practices, and their profound impact on individuals.
• Comfortable and skilled at communicating with a wide diverse audience, including Black and Brown communities, incarcerated people and their loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people with low or no incomes, and movement partners.
• Proven experience giving effective public comment, expert testimony, and interviews with media/press.
• Be a team player with a collaborative attitude, comfortable with sharing skills and areas of work and being delegated to.
• Strong research and analytical skills.
• Open to learning and commitment to using LGBTQIA+ staff and community names & pronouns.
• Willingness & ability to travel.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a postage machine, copy machine, and printer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: 

• Bilingual in Spanish and English.
• Directly impacted by the issues EBC is working to address

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS 

This is a full-time salaried exempt, on-site, non-bargaining unit position. There will be times when the position will be required to work in the evenings, on weekends, and participate in outward-facing community events. The Policy Director position is supervised by the Program Director.

SALARY AND BENEFITS 

Salary range: $107,000 - $115,000 depending on professional and lived experience. The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights offers a competitive benefits package to its full-time employees, which includes employee health, vision, dental, chiropractor, acupuncture, LTD, life insurance, EAP, paid holidays, vacation and sick time, and the option to enroll in a 401K program. We cover 100% of the employee-only premiums for all medical coverage. Medical coverage begins the 1st of the month, after the date of hire.

EVERYONE WELCOME 

The Ella Baker Center is an equal opportunity employer. Individuals of color, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, individuals with past involvement in the criminal legal system, or who have loved ones currently or formerly impacted by the criminal legal system are strongly encouraged to apply. We do not require candidates to have a degree and we welcome candidates with nontraditional backgrounds. We believe in both the necessity in building a broad, diverse movement to effectuate change and the importance of centering the experiences and leadership of those most impacted by the legal system. We are committed to investing in the leadership of people of color and formerly incarcerated people. If you are wondering if you are qualified to apply, please do.

HOW TO APPLY 

Ella Baker Website Careers Tab

Submit the following application materials:

● Resume or summary of relevant experience.

● A thoughtful cover letter about your interest in the position.

Should a candidate advance in the interview process, they may be asked to participate in a brief skills evaluation exercise and submit a portfolio or work samples. Application open until filled. Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as interviews will be offered on a rolling basis.

COVID-19 VACCINATION 

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights recommends vaccinations to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Fully vaccinated is determined two weeks after completing a primary vaccination with a COVID-19 vaccine, with, if applicable, at least the minimum recommended interval between doses. All newly hired employees are requested to report their vaccination status and to provide proof of vaccination.

The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights requires all employees to wear a mask when working within the building and at EBC-sponsored gatherings. Employees may be legally entitled to a reasonable accommodation if they cannot be vaccinated and/or wear a face covering (as otherwise required by this policy) because of a disability, or if the provisions in this policy for vaccination, and/or testing for COVID-19, and/or wearing a face covering conflicts with a sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance.

START DATE 

May 11, 2025

Nothing in this job description restricts Ella Baker Center’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.