Director of Public Policy

Peoplescape is conducting recruitment for its Client, Mental Health America of California (MHAC)Job Title: Director of Public PolicyLocation: In-office in Sacramento, CA 95833. Must be able and willing to travel across California, and occasionally nationwide.FLSA Status: Full-Time, Exempt, Typical work hours 37.5 hours a week, 9am – 5pm, with occasional evenings and weekends.Reports to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)About Mental Health America of CaliforniaFounded in 1957, Mental Health America of California’s (MHAC) mission is to ensure that people of all ages, sexual orientation, gender and ethnicity, who require mental health support andservices, are able to live full and productive lives, receive the behavioral health support and services and other services that they need, and are not denied any other benefits, services, rights, or opportunities based on their need for mental health services.Mental Health America of California fosters a collaborative work environment whereconversations naturally lead to meaningful action. Our team works closely and relies on one another’s expertise, creating a supportive, engaged atmosphere. Mental Health America of California’s close-knit, mission-driven, person-centered approach helps employees build strong professional connections while advancing impactful work.Position SummaryThe Director of Public Policy leads MHAC’s legislative, regulatory, and policy advocacy initiatives. This role is responsible for aligning MHAC’s public policy work with its mission, vision, and strategic priorities, while ensuring relevance and responsiveness to historically marginalized communities. Reporting to the CEO, the Director of Public Policy represents MHAC in statewide and national forums, develops legislative strategies, and supports cross-program collaboration within the organization.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:• Lead the development and implementation of MHAC’s public policy strategies and goals.• Facilitate MHAC’s Public Policy meetings and coalesce with committee members.• Supervises MHAC’s Public Policy staff.• Work in coalition with other organizations, when appropriate, to amplify shared messaging and policy positions.• Monitor state and federal legislation, rule-making processes, and emerging trends inbehavioral health.• Draft legislation and legislative position letters.• Work with National MHA on state advocacy related to federal legislation or policies that have the potential to impact MHAC’s populations of focus.• Edit and finalize policy documents written by team members.• Represent MHAC in legislative meetings, public forums, statewide committees, and coalitions.• Promote equitable behavioral health access for diverse communities including BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Transition Age Youth, immigrant, refugee, and low-income populations.• Develop and disseminate legislative updates, position statements, and advocacy tools• Provide technical assistance and policy education to MHAC staff, stakeholders, and community members.• Collaborate with MHAC’s programs to ensure alignment of advocacy and service goals.• Design and deliver public policy-related trainings, presentations, and events.• Develop, manage, and report on budgets related to access to behavioral health services and MHAC policy programs and activities.• Maintain up-to-date understanding of the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) and other key statewide behavioral health initiatives, including Behavioral Health Transformation.• Draft reports, articles, and educational materials for diverse audiences.• Support MHAC’s psychologically healthy workplace culture and equity-focused practices.• Travel statewide and occasionally nationally as needed for advocacy work.Additional duties and projects as assigned.Required Abilities:• Commitment to MHAC’s mission.• Ability to lead and manage ethically, and with integrity, in all areas of the position.• Must maintain strict confidence and discretion around highly sensitive information.• Ability to adopt MHAC’s psychologically healthy and safe workplace culture.• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.• Able to work in a collaborative, team-oriented environment• Must be able to handle a dynamic and changing work environment.• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite.• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; ability to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various meeting sites.• Excellent interpersonal communications skills; including strong verbal and written communication skills• Ability to apply critical thinking, problem solving, and basic mathematical concepts (add, subtract, multiply, divide), including the ability to complete basic accounting functions (percentage, cost analysis).• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.Required Qualifications:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.• In-depth knowledge of the California legislative and policy-making process• Comprehensive understanding of behavioral health care within California’s private health care system, including parity, timely access to care, and other provisions of state and federal law• Knowledge of California’s public behavioral health care system and familiarity with behavioral health care funding streams• Understanding of behavioral health advocacy and access issues from the peer perspective• Experience working with historically marginalized populations and grassroots movements• Experience building coalitions• Strong strategic thinking, public speaking, and collaboration skills• Proven ability to manage complex programs and coordinate across teams• Excellent writing and communication skills tailored to both lay and professional audiences• Commitment to MHAC’s mission and values of equity, inclusion, and peer empowerment• Ability to work independently and flexibly in a fast-paced environment• Strict attention to detail• Must maintain strict confidence and discretion around highly sensitive information.• Must have a valid drivers’ license and proof of auto insurance at the time of employment, and both must be maintained throughout employment.Desired Qualifications:• Applicants from historically marginalized groups.• Lived experience as an individual with behavioral health (mental health) challenges or a family member of someone with behavioral health (mental health) challenges preferred• Bilingual / Multilingual.Education/Experience:• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in public policy, behavioral health, or a related field, graduate degree preferred• At least 5 years of experience in government relations or public policy advocacy• Familiarity with California’s behavioral health systems and related community-based organizationsWork Environment:In person, in office and occasional statewide work within the community, including indoor and outdoor spaces.Physical Demands: 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. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is frequently required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position and is subject to change based on company needs. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned.Compensation and Benefits Package:• Salary: $90,000-$115,000 (commensurate upon experience). In alignment with our commitment to pay equity and transparency, we do not consider salary counters above this range.• Employer covers 100% of employee medical (and up to 3 dependents), dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture and herbal therapy benefits, life insurance, employee assistance program (EAP), and travel assistance coverage. 403(b) retirement plan.• Yearly Paid Time Off: 19 paid holidays (this includes Winter Break starting on December 24, 2026, and returning to office on January 4, 2027), 10 days of accrued vacation, and 48 hours of sick leave.How to Apply:Please submit a cover letter and resume to recruit@peoplescapehr.com with “Director of Public Policy” in the subject line. No in-person deliveries will be accepted.The job is also posted on https://mhac.org/ with job accessible via the path: MHAC>About Us>Join Our TeamMHAC is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse team that reflects the communities we serve. We strongly encourage applications from people with lived experience of mental health challenges, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and members of other historically marginalized communitiesAll opportunities at MHAC are contingent upon successful completion and receipt of acceptable background clearances.