Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy

Job Description

Job Description

Priority application deadline will be September 18th, 2026 at 5pm PT.

About UnCommon Law

UnCommon Law fights to ensure that all people incarcerated for violent crime have access to effective legal representation and opportunities for healing. Through our unique, trauma-informed model of advocacy, we provide the space currently missing in the system for healing, accountability, and safe pathways home from prison. In developing new self-narratives, the people we serve are able to more effectively disrupt violence inside and outside prison and become leaders who change negative societal narratives about those incarcerated for violent crime. Our groundbreaking approach is changing policy and outcomes, driven by the voices and experiences of system-impacted communities.

UnCommon Law’s values include accountability, audacity, authenticity, collaboration, community, empathy, imagination, joy, liberation, and sustainability.

About the Role

The Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy leads the day-to-day execution of UnCommon Law's legislative and regulatory policy advocacy and will be the primary advocate for advancing these efforts. Working closely with the Director of Policy and Advocacy, this position translates organizational and policy advocacy strategy into legislative campaigns, lobbying, regulatory advocacy, coalition engagement, and policy research. The Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy is responsible for tracking and analyzing legislation and regulations, developing policy positions and advocacy materials, representing UnCommon Law before policy stakeholders and coalition partners, and helping advance statewide efforts to transform California's parole system. This position will work in collaboration with other teams across the organization, including but not limited to our Litigation, Communications, and Development teams. The position requires a strong understanding of California's legislative process, exceptional legal and policy analysis skills, and the ability to communicate complex issues to policymakers, advocates, incarcerated people, and other community members.

This exempt position reports directly to the Director of Policy and Advocacy and offers an annual salary range of $99,000.00 to $118,250.00+ commensurate with experience. As a mission-driven organization, we strive to balance competitive pay with our values. New hires are typically placed between the minimum and midpoint range. Final salary offers are determined based on the candidate’s job-related skills, experience, and expertise, as assessed during the interview process and aligned with our structured salary schedule.

Our office is based in Oakland, CA, and we offer a team-dependent hybrid work model to our employees. This role will require frequent travel to Sacramento, CA, particularly during the legislative session. Applicants who submit cover letters that are not tailored to the position or the organization will not be considered.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Legislative & Regulatory Advocacy (35%)

• Lead day-to-day advocacy on UnCommon Law's legislative and regulatory priorities
• Analyze proposed legislation, regulations, administrative actions, and relevant case law, and produce analyses and research memos for internal and external audiences as needed
• Draft legislation, amendment proposals, regulatory comments, and policy recommendations
• Coordinate legislative strategy and implementation with the Director of Policy and Advocacy
• Conduct direct lobbying and legislative education with members of the California Legislature, legislative staff, executive agencies, and other decision makers.
• Represent UnCommon Law in legislative hearings, agency meetings, stakeholder discussions, and public forums
• Monitor relevant legislative and administrative policies in California and track legislative and regulatory deadlines to ensure timely organizational responses

 

Coalition Leadership & External Partnerships (25%)

• Lead the California Alliance for Parole Reform (CAPR) Policy Working Group, including developing and executing collaborative policy advocacy strategy
• Facilitate CAPR coalition meetings and collaborative advocacy efforts in coordination with the Director of Policy and Advocacy
• Build and maintain relationships with partner organizations, impacted community members, researchers, and state-wide government agencies
• Support community education efforts related to parole and criminal justice system reform

Policy Research & Communications (20%)

• Conduct legal, legislative, and policy research supporting organizational advocacy
• Develop policy briefs, white papers, fact sheets, issue analyses, reports, testimonies, talking points, comment letters, and educational materials
• Translate complex legal and policy issues into accessible communication materials for diverse audiences
• Work with the Policy and Communications teams to develop policy messaging and rapid response materials
• Monitor emerging research, best practices, and policy developments affecting parole and criminal legal reform

Policy Operations & Internal Coordination (15%)

• Develop and maintain systems for tracking legislation, regulations, state budget, and administrative developments regarding parole release
• Provide timely and accessible policy updates to UnCommon Law staff and stakeholders
• Coordinate legislative and regulatory advocacy work across teams, remaining in close partnership with the litigation and communications teams as needed
• Manage advocacy timelines, policy calendars, and internal work plans
• Support grant reporting and other organizational needs related to policy work
• Supervise interns, fellows, consultants, or law clerks as assigned
• Maintain relationships with policy consultants and external lobbyists as applicable

Experience

Required Experience

• 4-11+ years of legislative, policy, or legal advocacy experience
• Experience in post-conviction advocacy, indigent defense, public defense, criminal legal reform, or related practice areas
• Strong understanding of and experience navigating legislative and regulatory processes, including lobbying and legislative advocacy (within California strongly preferred)
• Experience building relationships and working effectively with policymakers, legislative staff, government agencies, and other key stakeholders
• Experience analyzing legislation and regulations and drafting legislation, legislative amendments, or related policy proposals
• Strong written communication skills, with experience translating complex legal and policy issues for diverse audiences

P referred Experience

• J.D. or equivalent legal training (strongly preferred)
• Familiarity with California parole law and the Board of Parole Hearings

• Experience producing policy and/or legal research or quantitative analyses
• Experience working in coalition with impacted community members and community-based organizations
• Experience supervising interns, fellows, or junior staff

Skills & Attributes

• Excellent legal and policy analysis
• Strong writing skills, with experience writing for diverse audiences
• Exceptional writer capable of producing clear, persuasive policy materials for varied audiences
• Able to synthesize complex legal issues into practical advocacy recommendations
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple legislative priorities simultaneously
• Skilled facilitator and relationship builder who works effectively across coalitions
• Comfortable engaging directly with legislators, agency officials, advocates, media, and impacted communities
• Collaborative, organized, and adaptable in a fast-paced advocacy environment
• Deep commitment to racial equity, healing, and the dignity of people impacted by incarceration
• Commitment to trauma-informed, community-centered advocacy

Benefits & Support

• 100% Paid Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance for employees and we cover 75% for dependents
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) of $200/month and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for employees and dependents
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) support
• Flexible time off policy and UCL closes for two weeks from late December to early January each year
• Retirement plans 
• 13 paid holidays
• 12 days of sick leave

Application Instructions

Please submit a resume and a cover letter describing your interest and relevant experience for the role, along with contact information for two professional, academic or other relevant references. Applicants who submit cover letters that are not tailored to the position or the organization will not be considered. 

UCL is committed to providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for all members of our staff, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients. UCL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or prior contact with the criminal justice system. We strongly encourage applications from people impacted by incarceration as well as from traditionally underrepresented communities.