Advocacy Fellow

Advocacy Fellow
Reporting Manager: President & CEO
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Supervisory Responsibility: No
Compensation Range: $20 - $25/hour
Schedule: Part-Time
Benefits Eligible: No
Bonus/Commission Eligible: No

Position Summary

Penfield Children's Center is seeking a motivated, mission-driven Advocacy Fellow to support Penfield's growing public policy and civic engagement agenda. This individual will work in close partnership with and report directly to the CEO, and will have meaningful access to Penfield's government affairs firm, program staff and families, and a broad network of local, state, and national legislators and policy leaders.

Penfield is a leading early childhood organization and an active policy voice in Wisconsin, advancing federal policy changes to strengthen early intervention, infant and early childhood mental health services, and early childhood programs for children and families across the state.

This paid, part-time position offers direct, hands-on experience across legislative advocacy, civic engagement, coalition coordination, family advocate training, and public education, spanning several program areas at a part-time level, with day-to-day priorities set in coordination with the CEO's office based on the legislative calendar.

This position is based in Wisconsin; remote work is available for candidates residing in Wisconsin. This is a part-time, non-benefits eligible position with an expected commitment of 15–20 hours per week. Scheduling is flexible to accommodate academic or other professional commitments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Legislative Research & Policy Support

- Track and analyze state and federal legislation, regulatory developments, and budget proposals relevant to Birth to 3 early intervention, infant and early childhood mental health, childcare, Medicaid, Head Start, and maternal health.

- Assist with preparation of advocacy materials including policy briefs, fact sheets, talking points, legislative testimony, and constituent communications for use with Wisconsin and federal lawmakers.

- Assist in scheduling, preparing materials for, and following up on legislative meetings and site visits with state legislators, Joint Finance Committee members, and Wisconsin’s congressional delegation.

- Support tracking and reporting on legislative contacts, advocacy outcomes, and policy progress across state and federal priorities.

Civic Engagement & Coalition Coordination

- Help coordinate logistics and outreach for statewide advocacy days in Madison, including communications to coalition partners, county administrators, and Birth to 3 providers across Wisconsin.

- Assist with outreach to aligned organizations including the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA) and Wisconsin County Human Services Association (WCHSA) to coordinate joint advocacy campaigns and legislative action.

Advocacy Days & Training

- Help coordinate logistics and outreach for statewide advocacy days in Madison, including communications to coalition partners, county administrators and Birth to 3 providers across Wisconsin.

- Help plan and execute advocacy training sessions for staff and parent advocates, including materials development, supplies coordination, and participant logistics.

Family Advocate Training & Support

- Support recruitment, orientation, and ongoing engagement of Penfield’s Family Advocacy Ambassador network trained to share their stories, engage legislators, and serve as public spokespersons for early intervention funding.

- Assist in preparing family advocates for legislative visits, testimony, and media engagement, including coaching on talking points, logistics support, and travel coordination.

- Help maintain communication and ongoing engagement with parent advocates across all three Milwaukee County Birth to 3 providers.

Communications, Media & Digital Advocacy

- Support digital and social media advocacy efforts, including drafting content for paid campaigns, organic social media posts, and email communications timed to legislative milestones and budget cycles.

- Assist with earned media efforts including drafting op-eds, letters to the editor, and press pitches; help coordinate press briefings and media events featuring parent, provider, and community voices.

- Assist with content updates and maintenance for advocacy-related web properties.

- Draft correspondence, meeting summaries, and follow-up communications in support of the CEO’s advocacy strategy and government affairs activities.

- Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

- Current enrollment in or completion of an undergraduate or graduate degree program in public policy, political science, social work, public health, communications, education, law, or a related field.

- Demonstrated interest in policy advocacy, legislative affairs, early childhood systems, disability rights, or related areas, through coursework, employment, volunteer work, or lived experience.

- Strong written communication skills, including experience drafting professional documents, research products, or public-facing communications.

Preferred Education and Experience

- Graduate-level enrollment or completed degree (MPA, MSW, MPH, JD, or related field)

- Prior experience in nonprofit, government, legislative, advocacy, or policy setting.

- Familiarity with the Wisconsin state legislative or budget process, or federal policy related to early childhood, health, or disability programs.

- Experience supporting community organizing, civic engagement, or grassroots advocacy campaigns.

- Experience working with or alongside diverse communities, including immigrant and refugee populations, communities of color, or families of young children with disabilities or developmental delays.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

- Knowledge of Wisconsin’s Birth to 3, Medicaid, Head Start, or early childhood development landscape.

- Experience with data tracking, constituent relationship management (CRM), or advocacy reporting tools.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

- Bilingual or multilingual ability (Spanish, Hmong, Somali, or other languages spoken in Milwaukee communities) is a plus.

Physical Requirements

- Must meet all required health and safety clearances in accordance with Penfield Children’s Center policy, including an annual flu vaccine.

- Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a desk or computer workstation.

- Ability to use hands and fingers for repetitive tasks such as typing, filing, handling documents, and operating office equipment.

- Ability to view computer screens, read printed materials, and accurately process written information.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Penfield Children’s Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer.