Policy Change Director jobs in Springfield, MA

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under general supervision of the Associate Director of Leadership Development, the Director of CEPA oversees all aspects of the fiscal, administrative, and programmatic operation of the Center for Education Policy and Advocacy (CEPA). In conjunction with the CEPA Advisory Board, develops and implements the mission, goals, and objectives of CEPA and develops and renders final decision on departmental policies and procedures.

Essential Functions

• Directs administrative operations of CEPA, oversees the development of the annual budget to be submitted for Board approval, and presents budget requests to the Student Government Association (SGA) and any other funding sources. Manages budget expenditures for operations, maintenance, and programs, prepares purchase requests, and authorizes invoice payment. Maintains records of all administrative, operational, and programming matters. Prepares program reports for use as directed by the Associate Director of Leadership Development.
• Provides advice to the SGA, their agencies, and Registered Student Organizations and advocates on their behalf, provides advice and education on a broad range of local, state, and trustee policies and on University governance, drafts proposed trustee and campus policies and state legislation in areas reflecting student concerns.
• Maintains liaison with members of state government, University President's Office, community and campus leaders, and leaders within Student Engagement and Leadership (SEL). Oversees student advocacy activities related to promoting, opposing, or influencing legislation and/or actions of local or state leaders on matters affecting the general welfare of students.
• Works with the SGA to identify student needs/concerns and directs related campus education activities, designs, or assists in research and training activities, oversees development of surveys and focus groups and preparation of reports, develops policy proposals and prepares reports for consideration by relevant University governance bodies in areas reflecting student concerns and contemporary leadership and development models.
• Develops internship program and supervises, trains, and evaluates interns using a co-curricular focus; acts as liaison to faculty sponsors. Assists interns with development and implementation of self-guided projects and programs.
• Hires, trains, and supervises all student employees within the organization. Through continued reflection and evaluation, promotes staff effectiveness within a student-managed University organization.
• Works in collaboration with students to establish programmatic direction of each of the Core Campaigns within CEPA, such as Food Justice, Restorative Justice, and Debt-Free Future.
• Creates and oversees leadership and service programs including Alternative Spring Break, MassImpact, and related programs during high programming periods.
• Maintains working knowledge of and best practices related to current political, financial, and academic issues in higher education.
• Participates in SEL and Student Affairs and Campus Life staff meetings and committees and may serve on various University-wide policy committees, boards, and task forces as an advocate of the undergraduates of the student body.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned or required. Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery, and other compliance requirements.
• Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policy.
• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public University-related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's Degree and five (5) years' experience in a professional, post-degree capacity with student governance or related organizations in a higher education setting OR, a Master's Degree, at time of hire, in a related field but not limited to Public Policy, Higher Education, Legal Studies, Social Justice Education or Political Science, and two (2) years' experience with an education program or student organizations.
• Demonstrated organizational/research skills and significant knowledge of public higher education issues.
• Experience with budget development and resource allocations.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to build positive work teams.
• Proven ability to work effectively with widely diverse colleagues, students, and stakeholders. Excellent organizational communication, and interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work cooperatively, and collaboratively.
• Experience using personal computers, including experience with Windows, MS Office (Word, Excel) software and on-line resource development such as Web page production.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

Typical office environment.

Work Schedule

Typical work schedule Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm, some evenings and weekends.

Salary Information

Level 27

Special Instructions to Applicants

Upload your resume along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Therefore, be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. Please note that this position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.

UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.