Legislative Affairs and Policy Manager

About Building Bright Futures Building Bright Futures is a Vermont nonprofit working to improve the well-being of each and every child in the state, from the prenatal period to age ...

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Morgan Crossman

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About Building Bright Futures

Building Bright Futures is a Vermont nonprofit working to improve the well-being of each and every child in the state, from the prenatal period to age 8, and their family. BBF convenes a network of policymakers, early childhood professionals, educators, health and mental health providers, business leaders, families, and other partners through 12 Regional Councils, state-level committees advancing Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan 2030, and a 23-member State Advisory Council. BBF centers family and community voices in decision-making and collects and shares early childhood data to inform policy and public understanding.

Position Summary

The Legislative Affairs and Policy Manager supports BBF’s legislative work by monitoring bills and committee activity, documenting what happens in the State House, and sharing this information with the BBF team and partners. This person also builds working relationships with partner organizations, legislators, and legislative and agency staff in support of the Executive Director. The Legislative Affairs and Policy Manager supports the development of BBF’s annual policy recommendations with direction from BBF’s Policy and Program Director.

The role keeps BBF’s team informed so that BBF’s nonpartisan, evidence-based, advisory work rests on current information. It also connects what BBF hears from families, providers, and Regional Councils to the policy questions in front of decision-makers.

Reports to: Policy and Program Director (no supervisory responsibilities)

Status: Full-time, exempt

Location: Hybrid, with regular in-person presence in Montpelier during the legislative session (~January through May). The office in Williston is optional but available to interested staff.

Key Responsibilities

Time allocation will shift with the legislative and policy cycles. Legislative affairs will take most of this role’s time during session (~January through May), with policy recommendation development and partner engagement increasing in the summer and fall. The estimated allocations below reflect annual totals.

Legislative affairs (approximately 50%)

Monitor state early childhood and family policy legislation during session

Maintain BBF’s bill tracker for staff and partners

Attend or watch committee hearings and floor sessions, take notes, and document testimony, discussion, and next steps

Summarize bills, budget proposals, and fiscal notes for their effect on children, families, and the early childhood system to share internally and externally

Hold regular conversations with legislators at the State House to share BBF information and stay current on legislative priorities in support of the Executive Director, who serves as BBF’s primary voice and relationship holder with legislators

Policy analysis and development (approximately 20%)

Project manage the annual development of BBF’s policy recommendations, including the timeline; input from the State Advisory Committee, Strategic Plan committees, and Regional Councils; and coordination with the Data and Policy Manager on data and partner synthesis

Work with BBF’s communications team to develop policy recommendation materials and track progress

Partner engagement and communications (approximately 30%)

Work with BBF’s Regional Team to share updates on Vermont’s Early Childhood Strategic Plan and policy recommendation progress at BBF Network meetings

Support Regional Councils and their members in building relationships with their local legislators

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, social work, education, or a related field, or equivalent experience

3 to 5 years of experience in policy analysis, legislative affairs, government relations, or related work

Working knowledge of the state legislative process, preferably in Vermont

Clear, concise writing for policymakers and the public

Ability to present information in a nonpartisan, evidence-based way and to work with people across political perspectives

Ability to take clear notes, summarize discussions quickly, and manage competing deadlines during the legislative session

Preferred

Experience with early childhood, child care, or family policy

• Experience monitoring legislation or writing legislative summaries
  

Familiarity with state budget and fiscal processes

• Experience working with families, providers, or community groups in policy work
  

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply, including those whose experience does not match every qualification listed.

Compensation, Benefits, and How to Apply

Salary range: $64,000 to $80,000, based on experience

Benefits: Benefits include generous paid time off (including Fridays off from June through August), health insurance, dental and vision insurance, and retirement, including an employer match of 3%. BBF is a nonprofit employer, so this position may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

To apply: Send a cover letter and resume to kmobbs@buildingbrightfutures.org with “Legislative Affairs and Policy Manager” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled, with priority given to applications received by Friday, November 20. For a full job description please visit: www.buildingbrightfutures.org

BBF is an equal opportunity employer.

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About Building Bright Futures