Policy and Advocacy Advisor

Salary: $35.45 - $56.72 Hourly
Location : Frederick, MD
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 202500041
Department: Office of Opportunity and Transformation
Opening Date: 04/01/2025
Closing Date: 4/14/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
FLSA: Exempt
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; other hours as needed for emergency operations. Amend as needed.

Job Summary
The Policy and Advocacy Advisor will play a key role in guiding and supporting the City of Frederick's workforce development initiatives, with a particular focus on reentry programs and policies aimed at justice-impacted individuals. This position will be responsible for tracking and analyzing policy developments at the local, state, and federal levels, advocating for policies that enhance workforce access and quality, and ensuring that the City's workforce development programs align with the needs of underserved populations, particularly youth, emerging adults, and individuals transitioning from the justice system. The advisor will collaborate with internal teams, community stakeholders, and government agencies to influence policy, advocate for funding, and ensure that reentry programs and workforce development initiatives reflect best practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Tracks and analyzes relevant local, state, and federal policies, regulations, and funding opportunities related to workforce development, employment practices, justice reform, and federal infrastructure investments.
• Provides strategic recommendations to City leadership based on policy trends, research, and feedback from community stakeholders.
• Advocates for policies that support the City's workforce development goals, including fair wages, apprenticeships, career-connected learning, and reentry programs for justice-impacted individuals.
• Builds relationships with policymakers, government agencies, community organizations, and advocacy groups to ensure that the City's workforce development needs are reflected in key policy discussions and legislative efforts.
• Conducts research on successful workforce development models and emerging best practices to inform policy decisions and program strategies.
• Develops and promotes policies that support the creation of sustainable reentry workforce pathways, including job training, apprenticeships, and career-connected learning opportunities tailored for individuals with justice system involvement.
• Conducts research and analysis on barriers to reentry, including employment discrimination, skills gaps, and lack of support services, and provides actionable recommendations to address these challenges.
• Develops clear and compelling communication materials to articulate the City's workforce development initiatives and the policy advocacy needed to support them.
• Prepares policy briefs, reports, and presentations for City leadership, external stakeholders, and the public to keep them informed of progress and emerging opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS: 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 EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Any combination of education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties and responsibilities as described.
• Experience in policy analysis, advocacy, or public affairs, particularly in workforce development, economic development, justice reform, or social policy.
• Experience working with government agencies at the local, state, or federal level, especially in workforce, reentry, social services, or justice reform.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES AND/OR LICENSES:

• Vehicle Operator's license with satisfactory driving record that meets insurability standards of the City's insurance carrier is required. The employee must maintain the license for the duration of their employment.

REQUIRED SKILLS (Communication/Language; Mathematical; Computer; etc.):

• Proven ability to build relationships with policymakers, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and other community stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and research skills to monitor policy developments and provide actionable recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce policy documents, briefs, and reports.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders, from government officials to community groups and private sector partners.
• Skilled in public speaking and media relations, with the ability to advocate effectively for policy change.
• Intermediate computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).

OTHER DESIRABLES:

• Master's degree preferred in a related area such as political science, social science, psychology, criminal justice, or similar.
• Knowledge of workforce development, apprenticeships, reentry programs, justice reform, and related policy areas.
• Familiarity with federal funding programs (e.g., Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act) and state and local economic development policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by the incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to remain in stationary position for long periods of time; use hands and fingers to complete daily work assignments, reach with hands/arms to file and move stock items. The employee must be able to communicate using the English language. The employee is occasionally required to stand for long periods of time; walk about while performing work; climb ladders and stairs and traverse varied terrain. The employee is regularly required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, push, and pull to reach various items. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITION: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee typically performs work indoors in an office setting.
The City of Frederick offers competitive benefits to eligible employees including a variety of insurance plans and competitive paid leave offerings. View a

INSURANCE AND VOLUNTARY BENEFITS:
Medical Plans: Eligible City employees may choose from three medical insurance plans through View the

Dental Plans: Eligible City employees may choose from three (3) dental insurance plans through Cigna.

Vision Plan: Eligible City employees may elect vision plan coverage through

Premium Rates effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025: /

Holiday Schedule: View the

You can find additional information regarding The City of Frederick's benefits here:
01

What is your professional and personal experience engaging and working with diverse populations?
02

Please explain your knowledge of local government functions, including, but not limited to, government affairs, public policy, public relations, marketing and economic development, public safety, land use, and airport regulations.
03

Do you have a vehicle operator's license with satisfactory driving record? This must be maintained for the duration of your employment.

• Yes
• No

04

Do you have experience in public speaking?
05

Do you have a Bachelor's degree in human services, social work, public administration, nonprofit management, or a related field?
06

How many years experience do you have working with government agencies at the local, state, or federal level, especially in workforce, reentry, social services, or justice reform.
Required Question