Brightpoint (formerly known as Children’s Home & Aid) invites you to join our team of mission-driven staff who share a common vision: an equitable world where all children and families thrive in strong communities. As a leader in the human services sector for 140 years, we aim to advance the well-being of children by investing in families and strengthening communities through data-informed, collaborative, and preventative solutions.

The Public Policy Specialist supports the development and implementation of Brightpoint's state and federal public policy agendas. This role assists in research, analysis, and advocacy efforts related to child welfare, early childhood education, youth services, and anti-poverty initiatives.

Core Responsibilities and Essential Job Functions:

Research and Analysis

Conducts research on policy issues relevant to the organization's priority areas, including child welfare, early childhood education, youth services, and anti-poverty solutions. Analyzes proposed legislation, regulations, and budget items to determine potential impacts on the organization and its clients. Compiles and analyzes data to support policy positions and advocacy efforts. Prepares policy briefs, reports, and fact sheets to inform internal and external stakeholders. Tracks and monitors legislative and regulatory developments at the state and federal levels.

Advocacy Support

Assists in the development and execution of advocacy strategies and campaigns. Assists in organizing advocacy days and other events, including the days’ agendas, transportation, and scheduling appointments with legislators. Assists the Director of Public Policy to maintain communication with coalition partners and stakeholders to ensure consistent engagement, including regular emails, phone calls, and meetings and documenting interactions, as assigned. Attends coalition meetings and reports on relevant discussions and action items. Assists the Director of Public Policy to prepare for legislative hearings and meetings by conducting research and compiling relevant data, drafting initial versions of talking points and testimony, fact-checking and sourcing claims in final documents, and assembling supporting materials and visual aids as needed. Maintains current knowledge of Brightpoint’s programs, advocacy agenda, and legislative priorities.

Communications

Drafts content for advocacy materials, including action alerts, social media posts, and
website updates. Assists in the development of presentations and training materials on policy issues for staff and external audiences, including providing research and data, writing content, and preparing PowerPoints. Writes content and collaborates with the Communications department to distribute the policy newsletter and other communications to keep stakeholders informed of policy developments.

Community Engagement

Assists the Director of Public Policy in coordinating the Advocacy Hub to engage staff in advocacy activities, by arranging meeting logistics, such as videoconference invitations and/or facility/space, materials, refreshments, and taking and distributing meeting minutes. Collaborates with the Participant Engagement & Advocacy Coordinator to support participant and community voice initiatives, including helping to organize focus groups or surveys to gather input on policy issues, as assigned. Collaborates with the Participant Engagement & Advocacy Coordinator in connecting program participants with advocacy opportunities, including meetings with elected officials.

Administrative Support

Maintains databases and tracking systems for policy issues, legislative contacts, and advocacy activities. Assists in organizing and scheduling meetings with legislators, coalition partners, and other stakeholders. Arranges the logistics for policy-related webinars, symposia, and other events. Through research, provides data and content for grant reports and proposals related to policy and advocacy work.

Required and Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum of 3 years of experience in public policy, advocacy, or a related field required; OR Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Social Work, or a related field with a minimum of 1 year of experience in public policy, advocacy, or a related field required. Demonstrates knowledge of state and federal legislative processes. Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly describe complex policy issues to a wide range of audiences. Demonstrates strong interpersonal skills to effectively engage with diverse stakeholders and to collaborate with organization staff in a team environment. Demonstrates effective organizational and time management skills with the ability to set priorities, handle multiple projects and responsibilities, and meet deadlines. Demonstrates attention to detail. Demonstrates initiative and consistent follow-through. Demonstrates strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information. Demonstrates strong computer skills, including Microsoft 365, Outlook, videoconference software, data analysis and visualization tools, and database management. Must have a valid driver’s license, current auto insurance and access to a reliable vehicle to execute the position’s responsibilities. Demonstrates respect and acceptance of diverse individuals and communities served by, working in partnership with, or employed by Brightpoint including but not limited to race, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and LGBTQIA+ populations.

Additional Requirements:

Occasional travel required, primarily within the state. Some evening and weekend hours may be necessary during legislative sessions or for special events.

Job details:  

Compensation: Salary starts at $21.00 per hour; offers are commensurate with candidate qualifications and experience. Benefits: Medical/dental/vision insurance, 3+ weeks paid time off in the first year including the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day (PTO increases with tenure); 11 paid holidays, supplemental insurance options, 401(k) with match (more benefits details here). Location: 200 West Monroe Street (downtown Chicago loop). Schedule: Full-time, hourly. Regular business hours with remote flexibility 1-2 days/week. Student Loan Forgiveness: Brightpoint is an approved agency for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). 

Where you work matters. 

We believe that by building diverse and inclusive teams of passionate advocates for youth and families, we can continue to show up for Illinois families, putting those families at the center of every decision, and strengthening the communities where we all work, play, and live together. (More about who we are here.) 

We invite you to become an active member of a team that supports, inspires, and challenges each other, and grow your career in an organization that celebrates emerging leaders and provides development and learning opportunities aligned with your individual goals and aspirations. If you are looking for an opportunity to do meaningful work, including raising your unique and authentic voice to disrupt the systemic inequality impacting children and families, we encourage you to apply today.   

Click here to review our agency’s Blueprint for Impact.

Brightpoint is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action. All employment activities are conducted in an equal and equitable fashion. The Agency prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, parental status, veteran status, source of income, and any other legally protected category in the recruitment, selection, hiring, determination of salary level and benefits, promotion, demotion, layoff, termination, and other terms and conditions of employment.