Associate, Community-Based Advocacy

Carole Robertson Center for Learning; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement Savings Plan (401K) with em

Employee Assistance Program

CRCL Benefits Guide

Bi-Weekly Rate Sheet

Job summary

Carole Robertson Center for Learning seeks an Associate, Community-Based Advocacy to support public policy initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for young children, families, and educators in Illinois. The role emphasizes building relationships, conducting research, and communicating policy progress to diverse stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will translate on-the-ground experiences into equitable advocacy, participate in trainings, and collaborate with staff to advance funding, workforce

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, education, social work, communications, nonprofit administration, or a related field.
• 2–4 years of experience in public advocacy, education, nonprofit work, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Advance advocacy priorities related to protecting public funding, influencing systems-level change, and supporting workforce well-being.
• Monitor federal, state, and local legislation and policy developments in early childhood education, youth development, and related issues.
• Prepare talking points, legislative summaries, testimony, memos, and other advocacy materials.

Skills

Research

Writing

Communication

Organization

Relationship-building

Equity commitment

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project management software

Job description

The Associate, Community-Based Advocacy, will support Carole Robertson Center for Learning's efforts to advance public policies, investments, and systems that improve outcomes for young children, youth, families, and those who serve them.

The ideal candidate a strong relationship-builder who understands the correlation between public policy and the on-the-ground experiences of children, families, and educators. Successful candidates bring curiosity, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a commitment to advancing equitable systems that allow children and young people to thrive.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Policy & Advocacy

• Advance the Center’s advocacy priorities related to protecting public funding, influencing systems-level change, and supporting the well‑being of our workforce.
• Monitor federal, state, and local legislation, administrative actions, and policy developments related to early childhood education, youth development, child and family well‑being, workforce development, and related issues.
• Prepare talking points, legislative summaries, testimony, memos, and other advocacy materials.

Administration & Communications

• Help develop and track advocacy goals, timelines, work plans, and measures of progress.
• Maintain organized records of meetings, events, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy activities.
• Help facilitate advocacy trainings, listening sessions, focus groups, and other engagement opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen staff and families’ understanding of public policy and their ability to participate in civic and advocacy activities.
• Collaborate with communications staff to develop advocacy messaging, newsletters, website content, social media content, and other communications.

Other Responsibilities

• Participate in professional development and stay informed about emerging research, policy trends, and best practices in early childhood education, youth development, and advocacy.
• Participate in organizational planning, team meetings, and cross‑departmental initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, education, social work, communications, nonprofit administration, or a related field

Experience

• 2–4 years of experience in public advocacy, education, nonprofit work, or a related field

Required Skills

• Strong research, analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Experience with Microsoft Office tools and working knowledge of project management software
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work collaboratively across communities and stakeholders
• Demonstrated commitment to equity and improving outcomes for children, youth, families, and communities

Other Requirements

Must successfully complete a background check.

This role may require occasional travel between organizational locations and program sites.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This role requires:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Visual and auditory acuity within professionally determined normal ranges, with correction if needed; and manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer and office equipment, including, but not limited to, the telephone, computer, and copier.
• Occasionally required to lift items up to 20 pounds.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions of this position.

Actual starting salary will be determined based on qualifications, experience, internal equity, and organizational considerations.

• Retirement Savings Plan (401K) with employer match
• Employee Assistance Program
• 2026-27 CRCL Benefits Guide
• CRCL 2026-2027 Bi-Weekly Rate Sheet

If you are having issues accessing the link, please ensure to check out our Careers page for more information.

Carole Robertson Center for Learning provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.