Associate I, Policy and Business Development

Associate, Policy & Business Development 

Open to Locations in CO, LA, GA, & OK

Hybrid Schedule 

Anticipated deadline to submit application: July 3rd at 5pm EST.  Position may close early if application limit is met. Apply promptly for full consideration.

The Opportunity

The Associate, Policy & Business Development will contribute to CEO’s efforts to engage government officials, employers, and other external stakeholders with the goal of increasing government investment in reentry employment services; removing employment barriers for justice-impacted individuals; and generating revenue for CEO. The associate will carry out annual investment and policy strategy to support reentry employment services across a specific region.  

As part of our mission, we strongly encourage individuals who have lived experience of incarceration or involvement in the justice system to apply for this role.

Who We Are

The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides employment services to people recently released from incarceration. Across the United States, 8,000-9,000 people participate in CEO each year, transitioning to employment that supports themselves, their families, and their communities.

What began as a demonstration project of the Vera Institute of Justice in the 1970s to address employment barriers facing the formerly incarcerated following release in New York City has grown into the leading reentry employment organization in the country, where over 30,000 formerly incarcerated individuals have secured full-time employment since 1996.

Who You Are

• 2+ years of experience in policymaking and advocacy 
• Extensive knowledge of criminal justice and workforce policy 
• Experience with legislative, appropriations/budget and administrative processes that can drive policy change 
• Knowledge surrounding the barriers individuals face upon returning home from incarceration 

What You’ll Be Responsible For

Key responsibilities of the Regional Investment Associate include but are not limited to:

Policy Advocacy and External Engagement 

• Execute a strategy to increase reentry employment funding, particularly SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T), public workforce, social enterprise, and philanthropic investments, that support reentry employment services across a state region 
• Understand policy design and best practices for key federal and state workforce programs, including SNAP E&T, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and how changes in policy impact CEO’s program; 
• Develop social enterprise partnership proposals and move opportunities along in the sales process; directly engage with prospective customers, negotiate and close social enterprise employer partnerships, leading to additional and new transitional job capacity for participants; 
• Conduct timely analysis and maintain ongoing monitoring of government budgets and share analysis with internal and external stakeholders
• Support Region Director and Program staff in developing and maintaining relationships with state and local public officials, partnership agencies/entities, employers, and private philanthropy stakeholders. 
• Conduct external stakeholder education and represent CEO in meetings to advance our investment strategy with support from the team directors; 
• Develop written content, including talking points, policy briefs, factsheets, and media collateral to support CEO’s lawmaker champions and policy agenda; 
• Engage government relations representatives and external consultants to execute policy strategies

Administration

• Collect, summarize and analyze public workforce and legal system data, and CEO program data to inform CEO’s policy strategy
• Attend trainings, conferences and other meetings that help further inform CEO’s policy strategy
• Offer suggestions around improvements to processes and systems related to CEO’s policy work

Compensation and Benefits  

The salary range for this position is $50,200 to 67,250 annually. CEO's compensation philosophy considers a variety of factors including experience, internal equity, and the labor market associated with the city in which the position is located. The labor markets associated with the cities in which CEO is based are variable, and the salary range included here reflects this. Our salary offer will fall within this range and will be reflective of the labor market of the city in which the position is based, as well the other factors named above. 

We recognize that salary is a part of the overall compensation package and also provide a comprehensive benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, as well as professional development opportunities to our staff.

We also offer paid parental leave, participation in a retirement plan, sick and vacation leave, paid holidays and more. We are a workplace that promotes continual learning and teamwork, offering lunch and learns, team outings, holiday gatherings and more for our staff.

More About Us

Center for Employment Opportunities believes that everyone deserves the chance to shape a stronger future for themselves, their families, and their communities. People who are justice involved are highly encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. CEO is committed to the CROWN Act, and creating an open space where our employees can present as their true authentic selves. 

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, caregiver status, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law. We value diverse experiences, including with regard to educational background and justice system contact.

Please note that due to the volume of resumes received, we are unable to contact each applicant regarding the status of each position or reply to candidates' inquiries via phone or email.

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