Organization Mission

Founded in Ramona Gardens, Legacy LA empowers youth and families in Boyle Heights and surrounding neighborhoods to break systemic cycles of multigenerational poverty and trauma through leadership, healing, and community-driven change to build resilient and equitable neighborhoods. Legacy LA builds the future generation of change-makers, for our community and beyond.

Position Summary

The Policy & Advocacy Organizer will lead Legacy LA’s youth-driven civic engagement and policy advocacy work focused on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) prevention and systems change in Boyle Heights/East Los Angeles with a focus on Ramona Gardens public housing. Grounded in a Social Justice Youth Development framework, the Policy & Advocacy Organizer will build the capacity of low-income youth and communities of color to understand how policy is made, analyze root causes of substance use (including trauma, over-policing, and inequitable land use), and advance youth and community led policy solutions that reduce environmental risk factors such as the overconcentration of alcohol and cannabis advertising in low-income communities.

Over the three-year grant period, the Policy & Advocacy Organizer will co-create and facilitate culturally relevant civic engagement curricula, while building internal staff capacity in policy analysis and facilitate culturally relevant civic engagement curricula; support Youth Council members in developing and advancing youth-identified policy goals; coordinate coalition-building, power mapping, and decision-maker education; and mentor youth and community leaders to effectively engage local, regional, and state policymakers. The Policy & Advocacy Organizer will work closely with the Executive Director, Leadership Program Director, and Youth Council staff to integrate policy advocacy with mentorship, artivism, and SUD prevention education. This position will also support grant reporting and documentation of youth-led policy outcomes aligned with Elevate Youth California requirements.

Job Responsibilities

Staff Capacity Building and Internal Alignment

Build the policy knowledge and advocacy skills of staff through trainings, coaching, and learning.
Support staff in integrating policy awareness into youth development, mentorship, and activities.
Serve as an internal resource on policy strategy, timelines, and decision-making processes.
Align advocacy goals across programs to ensure a coordinated organizational policy approach.

Policy Analysis and Development

(Build) Monitor and analyze local and citywide policy issues related to youth, public health, and community conditions.
Translate policy processes into accessible, youth and community friendly learning tools/trainings.
Support development of youth and community led policy priorities and recommendations informed by lived experience and community needs.

Community Engagement and Capacity Building

Build youth and community leadership and civic engagement capacity through trainings, coaching, and mentorship.
Support youth and community participation in coalition-building, stakeholder engagement, and public education efforts.
Facilitate opportunities for youth and community to communicate policy priorities through presentations, testimony, and storytelling.

Program and Campaign Implementation

Plan and implement youth-led advocacy campaigns using a mix of outreach, artivism, and public education strategies.
Coordinate meetings and briefings between youth leaders and policymakers or institutional stakeholders.
Collaborate with communications staff and partners to develop advocacy materials and messaging.
Utilize public-facing advocacy strategies, including billboard or large-format advertising campaigns, when appropriate.

Impact Assessment and Reporting

Track participation, outcomes, and policy milestones related to civic engagement work.
Document activities and outcomes to support internal learning, reporting, and communications.
Use data and youth feedback to strengthen advocacy strategies and program effectiveness

Experience & Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Public policy, law, social justice, or a related field
Minimum of 3 years of experience in legislative advocacy and/or working on legislative matters, preferably on youth development, substance use disorder, environmental justice, social justice.
A commitment to and passion for social justice and youth development
Experience in working with communities impacted by War on Drugs (WoD) such as low-income communities and communities of color
Strong knowledge of and analytical capacity to think strategically about public policy agenda and implementation
Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills; ability to communicate clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences
Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and self-motivated
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and engage a wide variety of stakeholders
Preference for bilingual candidates (Spanish/English)
Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed
Experience working in a coalition setting, experience facilitating meetings
Familiarity with Los Angeles county policy landscape and community and advocacy groups

Legacy LA Youth Development is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Legacy LA Youth Development Corporation

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