Program Associate – Tobacco Programs (Los Angeles)

Position: Program Associate (Los Angeles)

Salary: Based on Experience

Type: Full-Time, Exempt

Start: As soon as possible

Closing date of this position: Open until filled

Reports to: Program Manager

Organizational Background:

Equality California (EQCA) is the nation’s largest statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization with over 800,000 members. Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve. Through its legislative work, EQCA has successfully sponsored 140 pieces of pro-equality legislation cementing California as the state with strongest LGBTQ-civil rights protections in the country.

Equality California Institute (EQCAI) is a 501(c)3 organization that has a parallel mission to EQCA, its 501(c)4 counterpart. EQCAI educates the broader community on important LGBTQ issues such as transgender equality, violence and hate crimes, healthcare, health disparities, the needs of LGBTQ seniors and youth, homelessness and immigration. Over the last five years, EQCAI has spearheaded successful programs to tackle these issues, including multiple public education campaigns, such as Transform California, Equality4All, #Take It, I’m PrEPed, Let California Ring, Fair Share for Equality, the Breakthrough Conversations Project, and Health Happens with Equality.

Position Overview:

In 2018, EQCA/I launched a tobacco control program designed to adopt ordinances and policies prohibiting smoking with the goal of reducing smoking-related health disparities within  the LGBTQ population in Los Angeles County. Equality California and Equality California Institute seek a full-time Program Associate to help support implementation of EQCA/I’s programs on the ground in Los Angeles County, build key relationships with LGBTQ and allied organizations, develop grassroots leadership among members and supporters, and execute grant objectives.

The Program Associate will  assist with other current EQCA  programs and issues, including expanding healthcare access, immigration, HIV/AIDS advocacy and prevention, PrEP, transgender rights, safe and supportive schools, leadership development, passing pro-equality legislation and electing supportive candidates to office. EQCA/I’s expanded mission includes an intersectional approach to issues, as well as working with a wide range of institutions such as schools, businesses, unions, religious congregations, local governments, health clinics, and LGBTQ centers. This position would be based in our Los Angeles office and will be supervised by a Program Manager.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as an EQCA/I’s Program Associate by primarily supporting EQCA/I’s Tobacco Control program, and assisting with other programs as needed. This work includes:
• 1. Implementing objectives from grant funded programs throughout Los Angeles County.
  2. Developing key relationships with representatives of LGBTQ organizations, LGBTQ-friendly religious congregations, LGBTQ student groups, labor organizations, immigration and healthcare organizations.
  3. Organizing and maintaining a volunteer coalition to support tobacco control policy initiatives, representing EQCA at regional and state convenings, organizing town halls/forums/press events, drafting communications (pamphlets, emails, social media, etc.) related to tobacco control, conducting informational visits with local electeds.
  4. Tracking grant metrics and objectives, and developing strategies for meeting all grant objectives.
  5. Assist in state-mandated grant reporting processes.
  6. Providing program support across all EQCA/I’s program and issue priorities.
  7. Support all Program Managers with goals and activities as needed and as asked.
• Support all of EQCAI’s program work including:
  1. Program Implementation including presentations, public speaking, leading some partner conference calls and meetings, drafting meeting notes, preparing meeting materials and agendas, meeting logistics including ordering food and securing venues, scheduling meetings, making phone calls, attending outreach events, drafting social media, and writing blogs.
  2. Coalition and partner management. Including partner communication materials and emails, updating partners and grantees, collecting documents, assembling check requests for grantees, and writing memos.
  3. Leading meetings and conference calls when assigned.
  4. Support program managers across all EQCA/I programs. This includes working with all program managers and associates to execute program priorities across the organization.

• Support EQCAI’s Pride Parade and Festival outreach and education programming statewide:
  1. Accurately communicate EQCAI’s programs to festival attendees.
  2. Execute specific actions and goals related to all EQCA/I’s programs and legislative priorities.
  3. Volunteer recruitment.
  4. Tracking education materials and meeting event benchmarks.
  5. Availability to work nights and weekends, and willingness to travel across the state.

• Support EQCAI/I’s advocacy, legislative, and electoral work:
  1. Phone/text bank in support of EQCA endorsed candidates.
  2. Canvassing and talking to voters will be required.
  3. Volunteer recruitment to execute canvasses.
  4. Experience with PDI and VAN helpful.

• Support other work of the organization on an as-needed basis at the discretion of the Program Director, Deputy Director and Executive Director:
  1. All program associates are expected and required to work across all programs.
  2. Program associates might be assigned and tasked short and long-term additional programs.
  3. Program associates might be assigned a different program completely based on the needs of the organization.

Qualifications:

Applicants for this position should bring the following knowledge, abilities, and attitude:

1. At least 1 – 3  years experience working in any of the following fields: advocacy, outreach, public education, and mobilization; as well as, working in social justice areas including: civil rights, progressive and/or social justice organizations, preferably in the LGBTQ movement, public health, or tobacco control.
2. Experience working within the confines of government funded grants, detail-oriented and thorough work style, preferably with experience managing government-funded grant programs.
3. Experience working on (or a desire to work on) health issues, including smoking cessation and tobacco control issues.
4. Knowledge, passion and commitment to addressing issues impacting the LGBTQ community as well as advancing equality and social justice generally.
5. Strong public presentation skills, and experience in public speaking and/or training.
6. Strong written communication skills including ability to assist in writing grant proposals, draft member communications, social media outreach, and event publicity.
7. Commitment to working across lines of difference including race, class, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and age to achieve objectives.
8. Ability and interest to work with a wide range of organizations and institutions including other LGBT groups, schools, unions, religious congregations, and other social justice and advocacy organizations. Demonstrated experience with at least some of these types of organizations preferred.
9. Ability and experience in forming strong public relationships.
10. Healthcare advocacy knowledge and expertise, and/or a background in public health policy preferred.
11. Experienced campaign/community organizer preferred.
12. Above all else, a positive attitude and willingness to work collaboratively and in support of the EQCA/I mission.
13. A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience is required; higher degree in public health or public policy preferred.

Salary will be based on experience and includes competitive benefits (healthcare, dental, vision, long/short term disability, life insurance and 401K). This full time position will be based out of Los Angeles and will require a flexible schedule including evening and weekend work time, as well as regular travel across California. Applicants will be reimbursed for mileage, but must have a reliable car and be able to drive in California.

Equality California is an equal employment opportunity employer. Equality California does not make employment decisions or discriminate based on protected characteristics including, but not limited to, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, sex, gender (including gender identity and/or gender expression), sexual orientation, age, physical or mental handicaps, veteran status, or genetic information as prescribed by applicable local, state, and federal law. We strongly encourage diverse candidates to apply, including, but not limited to, women, people of color, people of diverse gender identities, and non-LGBTQ allies.

To apply:

Email resume (including names and contact of 3 references), cover letter and two writing samples to Tony Hoang at jobs@eqca.org. Please be sure to put “Program Associate” in the subject line of your email.

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