FYSA Policy and Advocacy Associate

Reports to: Director of the Fostering Youth Success Alliance

Compensation: $31.87 - $35.71 per hour for a 35-hour work week

Children's Aid is seeking a resourceful and highly skilled full-time Policy & Advocacy Associate to support the Fostering Youth Success Alliance (FYSA). FYSA aims to improve the socioeconomic, physical and mental health, housing, and educational outcomes for current and former foster youth in New York State through collaborative policy advocacy. The associate will report to the Director of FYSA, provide administrative and advocacy support, manage operational functions, and work on select projects as they arise.

• Track and report on key hearings, policy developments, and advocacy opportunities within child welfare and related policy areas that impact youth with a foster care background and transition-age youth.
• Develop subject‑matter expertise in assigned issue areas to inform internal and external strategy.
• Lead select coalition activities (e.g., letter writing, email campaigns, social-media campaigns) and manage communications with external partners and youth advocates.

• Coordinate logistics and provide support for youth-focused events, including forums and shadow days.
• Support legislative and advocacy efforts by coordinating logistics, ensuring alignment among youth, partners, and staff, and assisting with participant recruitment for lobby days and related events.
• Develop materials to educate and mobilize youth and partners on FYSA issue areas and resources.
• Co-develop and co-deliver legislative, advocacy, and social-media trainings for youth, families, and staff.
• Support government relations operations by maintaining a database of contacts and monitoring pertinent committee hearings at the city, state, and federal levels.

• Provide administrative, technical, and clerical support to the Office of Public Policy team—including scheduling meetings, preparing agendas, and facilitating internal meetings.
• Maintain all FYSA online communications, including website, social-media, and advocacy alerts.
• Produce monthly communication to the alliance steering committee and working groups.
• Conduct weekly check-ins with the Youth Advocate Cohort.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• High-school diploma and four years of relevant policy and advocacy experience, or a bachelor’s degree with one year of relevant experience.
• Lived experience in foster care and/or experience working with youth in foster care (preferred).
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, creativity, and initiative to solve or anticipate problems.
• Experience working with youth and families on advocacy-related issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to travel occasionally to Washington, D.C., and Albany (required).
• Passion for and commitment to mission-based work and social change, especially for youth with a foster-care background.

It is the policy of Children’s Aid to provide equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants and is dedicated to maintaining a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination. Children’s Aid will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or retaliation on any basis, including race, creed, color, national origin, ethnicity, alienage or citizenship status, gender/sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, source of income, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, familial status, caregiver status, military status, marital or partnership status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual violence or stalking, predisposing genetic characteristics, arrest or conviction record, credit history, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Children’s Aid is committed to complying with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff,…