Systems Change Advocate

Systems Change Advocate Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID) San Mateo County, California |

Community Organizing & Disability Justice Classification:

Non-Exempt | Full-Time (40 hrs/wk)

Reports To:

Executive Director Work Location:

San Mateo Salary Range:

$55,000 - $65,000 annually

DOE COMPENSATION & BENEFITS CID

offers a competitive compensation and benefits package consistent with Bay Area Independent Living Center and California nonprofit sector standards. Salary Full-Time in person (40 hrs/wk): $55,000 - $65,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications. Benefits Medical, dental, and vision insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 401k

ABOUT THE CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

The Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities (CID) is an Independent Living Center (ILC) serving all of San Mateo County. CID is a consumer-controlled, cross-disability, nonprofit organization rooted in the Independent Living philosophy — consumer control, peer support, self-determination, equal access, and individual and systems advocacy. CID is a member of the statewide network of 28 California Independent Living Centers and actively participates in the California IL Network and the Disability Organizing (DO) Network.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Systems Change Advocate is an advocacy professional who leads CID's community organizing, public policy, and systems change campaigns at the local, regional, and statewide levels. This position bridges direct consumer empowerment — through Individual Living Plans, self-advocacy training, and peer support — with broad-based disability justice advocacy that dismantles systemic barriers affecting people with disabilities in San Mateo County and across California.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES 1.

Community Organizing & Grassroots Leadership Recruit, develop, and sustain a diverse base of grassroots disability advocates, prioritizing BIPOC, LGBTQ+, youth, older adult, and other intersectional communities throughout San Mateo County. Train and mentor consumers, volunteers, and community partners in self-advocacy, systems change advocacy techniques, and civic engagement. Organize accessible, inclusive in-person and virtual convenings, public forums, advocacy days, and community events — including the minimum two statewide virtual public forums required per SPIL cycle. Develop accessible campaign toolkits, advocacy guides, action alerts, and public education materials aligned with the IL philosophy. 2. Statewide Network Participation, Policy Advocacy & Systems Change Campaigns Design and implement local, regional, and statewide systems change advocacy campaigns targeting legislative, regulatory, and administrative barriers to independent living. Lead CID's participation in statewide policy campaigns as the primary liaison to the DO Network, NCIL, CFILC, allied coalitions, and other statewide or national IL organizing networks. Monitor, analyze, and respond to federal, state, and local legislation and policy affecting people with disabilities, including housing, transportation, healthcare, emergency preparedness, and community living. Represent CID at public hearings, legislative meetings, advocacy days, board meetings, and coalition convenings; prepare and deliver accessible written and oral testimony on behalf of CID and consumers. 3. Consumer Services & Independent Living Plans Work with CID's Independent Living Specialists to provide Independent Living services to consumers with disabilities and assist consumers to identify, develop and monitor Independent Living Plans (ILPs) and personal goals. Train consumers in self-advocacy skills with a clear goal of independent, self-directed advocacy and self-sufficiency. Conduct outreach to educate consumers, service providers, and the community about CID's programs and available resources for people with disabilities and older adults. Respond promptly to consumer and partner inquiries; Identify and document consumer success stories for organizational learning, promotional materials, and grant reporting obligations. 4. Digital Organizing & Communications Develop and maintain social media campaigns across multiple platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, and emerging platforms) to amplify disability advocacy, engage the community, and mobilize advocates. Create accessible digital and print campaign materials including flyers, action alerts, newsletters, and advocacy toolkits, compliant with WCAG accessibility standards to promote CID's mission, programs, and outcomes through public-facing communications.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

Required Bachelor's degree in social work, public policy, sociology, political science, disability studies, or a closely related field; OR an equivalent combination of college education and relevant professional experience. Minimum 3-5 years of professional experience in disability advocacy, community organizing, systems change, or a closely related field. Demonstrated experience working with people with disabilities and/or older adults, preferably in an Independent Living Center or similar organization, with familiarity in independent living philosophy and disability rights. Experience planning and implementing community organizing campaigns and employing grassroots organizing tactics.

Preferred / Strongly

Desired Personal lived experience as a person with a disability. Bilingual/bicultural — Spanish or another language relevant to communities in San Mateo County. Experience with grant compliance and reporting. Familiarity with data systems.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Full-time, in person position with one WFH day dependent on supervisor approval.

Standard hours:

Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, with a 1-hour lunch period; supervisor may approve alternate schedule. Periodic evening and weekend availability required for advocacy events, public hearings, coalition meetings, and consumer activities. Local travel throughout San Mateo County required; occasional regional and statewide travel for IL network convenings, advocacy days, and legislative visits. Mileage reimbursed at the current IRS rate. CID workplaces and events are designed to be accessible. Reasonable accommodations are provided in accordance with the ADA and

FEHA. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY & DISABILITY INCLUSION CID

is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. We strongly encourage applications from people with disabilities, BIPOC individuals, LGBTQ+ individuals, and members of communities historically underrepresented in the nonprofit workforce. Lived experience with disability is a valued and relevant qualification for this position, consistent with CID's commitment to consumer control and the Independent Living philosophy. CID prohibits discrimination and harassment based on 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 law, including the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA).

HOW TO APPLY

Phone:

(650) 645-1780 (Voice/TTY) Accommodations for the application process are available upon request. Applications from people with disabilities are especially welcomed. CID is a consumer-controlled Independent Living Center. We center disability leadership in everything we do.

Pay:

From $50,000.00 per year Application Question(s): Are you Bilingual or Bicultural?

Work Location:

In person