Director of Advocacy & Policy

Reports to: Executive Director

Location: New York City

Employment Status: Full-time, non-exempt

Role Overview:

The Director of Advocacy & Policy partners closely with the Executive Director to develop and advance NY4P’s policy positions and advocacy goals, while creating and maintaining collaborative and productive relationships City officials, staff, and agencies, as well as local advocates and partner/community groups throughout NYC. Nurturing these relationships furthers NY4P’s work to position parks and open space as essential infrastructure and to make an equitable parks system a key policy priority for our elected leaders.

The Director of Advocacy & Policy also oversees NY4P’s Play Fair for Parks coalition, bringing together advocates from across the city to support a broad parks agenda and develops programmatic activities that support NY4P’s policy work and the work of partner organizations, represents NY4P at public meetings and events; and maintains strong connections with the organization’s constituency.

Specific Responsibilities Include:

Advocacy & Policy

• Manages and builds the Play Fair for Parks coalition
• Manages the organization’s park advocate networks through borough- and city-wide meetings and webinars, and mobilizes NY4P’s network of advocates during city-wide advocacy campaigns
• Builds and maintains positive and productive working relationships with elected and appointed City officials and their staff, as well as City agencies, partner organizations, citywide advocacy groups, and other stakeholders
• Works to expand relationships with existing advocates and peer organizations and to develop new connections in areas of the city where fewer exist
• Manages the organization’s involvement and position on parks policy, including the management of public positions and testimony
• Analyzes feedback and concerns gathered from community members, constituents, and advocates to inform policy positions
• Develops and implements campaign strategies for parks, gardens, and open spaces; helps create and circulate advocacy petitions on the annual parks budget and other park agenda matters; and supports peer organizations in their efforts to organize non-partisan election-year events and forums
• Develops and executes advocacy- and policy-oriented programming opportunities, ensuring that programs are completed on-time and within budget
• Organizes rallies and public events to support NY4P and the Play Fair Coalition’s advocacy
• Works with NY4P’s development team on fundraising efforts for programs, including reviewing proposals and meeting with funders
• Manages policy-related communication efforts, including press and media strategy and outreach
• Works closely with external communications and government relations consultants to advance NY4P’s work

Partnerships & Community Engagement

• Manages relationships with partner organizations and local community/parks groups
• Assists and advises community groups with advocacy and technical assistance requests
• Delivers presentations about the organization’s mission, parks agenda, and/or specific issues to members of civic, greening, recreational and other interested organizations throughout NYC, as well as tabling at various park, garden, and other events
• Serves as a representative and spokesperson for the organization to the media, at public meetings and events, and at meetings with public officials
• Supports planning and execution of the Daffodil/Pollinator Projects

Qualifications:

NY4P seeks an outgoing, highly motivated self-starter with a track record of productive engagement with government officials and their staff, and the ability to successfully manage a variety of stakeholder relationships on behalf of the organization. Candidates should bring a passion for parks, greenspace, organizing, equity, and urban/civic issues, as well as strong written, oral, and interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to carry out community engagement activities with a variety of stakeholders.

A graduate degree in urban planning, policy, or related field is strongly preferred, but candidates with at least 2 years of experience in government relations, community organizing, or related work will be considered.

The successful candidate should enjoy the outdoors and making visits to parks across the city. They should be comfortable working both independently and collaborating as part of a small, tight-knit team.

This position requires facility with online media and organizing tools and the Microsoft Office and Google Apps suites. Proficiency in Spanish a plus.