Posted: Apr 10, 2025

Policy & Membership Associate

Wisconsin Association of Family & Children's Agencies - Madison, Wisconsin
Full-time
Salary: $65,000.00 Annually
Application Deadline: May 2, 2025
Nonprofit

About WAFCA: The Wisconsin Association of Family & Children's Agencies (WAFCA) is the unified voice of child and family services in Wisconsin. Through policy advocacy, leadership events, Continuing Education, and more, WAFCA supports our member agencies and the more than 200,000 individuals, children, and families they impact each year through behavioral health and human services.

WAFCA has an excellent opportunity for an experienced professional to join a small team based and working remotely in the Madison area. In this position, you will work closely with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors to support WAFCA’s member agencies in their work to deliver outstanding human services and enhance the capacity of Wisconsin’s children and families to achieve their full human potential.

WAFCA Policy & Membership Associate

Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Policy & Membership Associate contributes to association excellence: promoting operational efficiency, facilitating member engagement, delivering quality services, advancing best practice in the human services sector, and pursuing policies to improve systems for Wisconsin’s children and families.

This dynamic role blends public policy advocacy, member engagement, and operational support to advance the mission of our statewide association. You’ll serve as a key representative to external stakeholders, advocate on behalf of members with policymakers, and help shape the Association’s policy agenda. With a collaborative spirit, you’ll also contribute to the organization’s daily operations, support events and board activities, and help drive innovation aligned with our commitment to building belonging. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence systems change while building strong, values-driven relationships across the sector.

RESPONSIBILITIES: In order to foster a supportive environment with prioritization of healthy work-life balance, WAFCA offers substantial onboarding with a gradual, supervised increase in responsibility and regular check-in opportunities. Over a six-month onboarding period, the Policy and Membership Associate will engage in the complete list of activities below—first with ample support and eventually independently. Some responsibilities will be carried out daily, and some may arise only a few times a year:

Public Policy Advocacy and External Relations (40%)

  • Represent the association in meetings/gatherings with external partners and stakeholders.
  • Monitor association public policy interests and maintain working knowledge of policy priorities.
  • In collaboration with the Director of Education and Communications, prepare and disseminate timely member updates and action alerts.
  • Advocate with legislators and the administration on member and sector interests.
  • Provide public policy research and position development support.
  • Advise and facilitate member engagement in advocacy.

Member Relations, Communities of Practice, and Project Initiatives (40%)

  • Facilitate Communities of Practice, including e-list oversight.
  • Oversee project initiatives and recommend new opportunities for partnership/collaborations.
  • Respond to member requests for resources/information on public policy, regulations, state contacts, and best practices.
  • Manage Affiliate relationships, including sponsorships of WAFCA events.
  • Support the Executive Director and the Director of Education & Communications in designing member conferences and events that enhance member engagement and deliver high-quality, meaningful, innovative networking experiences

Operational Support and New Initiatives (20%)

  • Contribute to daily operations of the Association.
  • Support Board operations and committees.
  • Cross-train in accounting, payroll, benefits, and insurances.
  • Track compliance with agency licensing and applicable federal/state regulations.
  • Coordinate with Operations Assistant regarding purchases and event logistics.
  • Seek ways to enhance member benefits, including exploration of grants and project opportunities.
  • Monitor progress on strategic planning goals and initiatives and track member engagement
  • Contribute to WAFCA initiatives to advance policies and practices that align with the Association’s ABIDE (Accessibility, Belonging, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity) commitments.

Required qualifications:

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Demonstrated success building relationships and delivering quality customer service.
  • Ability to facilitate groups and work collaboratively with varying professionals and constituencies.
  • Capacity for working independently while supported in a remote work environment.
  • Undergraduate degree.

Ideal candidates will also have:

  • Knowledge about the human services sector (behavioral health, child welfare, etc.)
  • Understanding of public policy research and analysis.
  • Degree in related field.

Compensation & Benefits: The salary range for this position begins at $65,000 per year and is determined based on experience. This is a full-time, exempt position. Health insurance, retirement, life insurance, parking, and other benefits are included, including flexible hours and a mostly remote work environment

Location & Travel: Periodic in-person meetings in Madison are anticipated, especially during legislative sessions. Some additional in-state travel and minimal out-of-state travel is expected. A valid driver’s license is required.

Schedule: This full-time hybrid role offers flexible hours, with a preference for a consistent schedule between 8:00am-4:30pm, Monday through Friday.

How to Apply

Please submit a cover letter and resume to [email protected].

WAFCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer