Legislative Aide

Company Description

The California Association of Alcohol & Drug Program Executives (CAADPE), established in 1989, represents member agencies that provide substance use disorder treatment at over 300 sites across California. The association advocates for high-quality, accessible services for individuals with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. Member agencies are represented by their chief executive leaders or designees, ensuring strong executive engagement in policy and advocacy.

Job Title: Legislative Aide

Employment Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, In-Person / Hybrid Eligible

Compensation: $52,000–$65,000 annually ($25.00–$31.25/hour), depending on experience (DOE)

Location: CAADPE Sacramento Office

Position Summary

The Legislative Aide is an entry-to-early-career position based at CAADPE's Sacramento office, working under the direction of the Legislative Policy Analyst and Executive Director. This role is responsible for support of CAADPE's legislative agenda, policy research, member communications, and event coordination. The position is full-time and in-person, with tele-work opportunities available as the candidate settles into the role. This is an exceptional opportunity for someone passionate about behavioral health, substance use disorder policy, and the legislative process to grow within a mission-driven nonprofit association.

Duties / Responsibilities

Legislative Tracking & Research

• Track legislation relevant to CAADPE priorities using Capitol Track, at the direction of the Policy Analyst and Policy Consultant.
• Regularly update Capitol Track to ensure it reflects CAADPE’s current positions on legislation.
• Organize and maintain shared digital folders of bill fact sheets, CAADPE legislative letters, tracking spreadsheets and related materials.
• Monitor Behavioral Health Information Notices (BHINs) from DHCS, including tracking new releases, coordinating summaries and responses, and helping collect member feedback as directed.
• Conduct deep-dive research into specific policy issues as assigned — synthesizing information from legislation, regulations, academic sources, and state agency publications into clear, usable summaries for senior staff.
• Support CAADPE's special projects by researching policy questions that require sustained attention beyond day-to-day bill tracking.

Advocacy Support

• Assist in drafting or editing letters of support and opposition, member updates, and legislative summaries under the direction of senior staff.
• Provide testimony at California Legislature committee hearings on a limited / as-needed basis and at the direction of senior staff.
• Help collect and synthesize member feedback on active legislation and policy proposals.

Committee Support

• Work alongside senior staff to help develop and prepare agendas and background materials for CAADPE's internal member committees.
• Attend virtual and in-person committee and staff meetings; take and distribute notes as assigned.
• Help compile monthly legislative progress reports for committee and board review.

Event Coordination

Working under the supervision of the Senior Manager of Membership and Communication Strategy

• Help coordinate CAADPE's in-person events held throughout California, including the January Policy Symposium, Legislative Development Meetings, October All-Members Meeting, and additional events as they arise.
• Support event logistics including venue coordination, attendee communications, materials preparation, and on-site support as needed.
• Assist with tracking RSVPs, managing registration lists, and maintaining accurate attendee records ahead of each event.
• Support post-event follow-up, including distribution of materials and summary communications to attendees.

SUD Voices for Change

• This position may include support for SUD Voices for Change, a statewide initiative closely affiliated with CAADPE. Specific responsibilities in this area will be defined as the initiative develops.

Member & Organizational Support

• Respond to routine member inquiries related to legislative and policy matters, escalating to senior staff as appropriate.
• Assist with grant-related reporting tasks tied to legislative and technical assistance activities.
• Develop and maintain a list of partner organizations and associations in the behavioral health field for regular engagement, and annually collect partner priority legislation at the start of each legislative session.
• Support general organizational operations as directed by the Executive Director.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• 1–3 years of experience in health policy, a legislative office, a nonprofit advocacy organization, or a related setting preferred.
• Recent college graduates and those with limited formal experience in health policy are strongly encouraged to apply, provided they demonstrate a genuine passion for behavioral health and substance use disorder issues and the drive to learn quickly.
• Equivalent combination of education, training, and experience will be considered.

Personal Qualifications

• Interest in and curiosity about substance use disorder, behavioral health, and California health policy.
• Lived experience with substance use disorder — personally or through friends and/or family — is highly valued but not required.
• Strong written communication skills; able to write clearly and concisely for different audiences.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Comfortable working independently while staying closely connected to a team.
• Willingness to work in-person at the Sacramento office and travel within California for events.
• Outstanding customer service acumen, promptly addressing member feedback, queries, and issues.
• A dedicated team collaborator, valuing cooperative efforts with staff, member agency leaders, and stakeholders.

Travel and Physical Requirements

• This position is based in-person at CAADPE's Sacramento office, with tele-work opportunities available as the candidate establishes themselves in the role.
• Periodic travel within California is required to support CAADPE's in-person events and meetings, including multi-day events. A valid California driver's license and reliable transportation are required; mileage and pre-approved travel expenses are reimbursed in accordance with CAADPE policy.
• The role requires the ability to attend and support full-day events, which may include setup and on-site logistics such as lifting and transporting materials of up to approximately 25 pounds, extended periods of standing or sitting, and working occasional early mornings or evenings around event schedules.

Criminal History

A criminal history does not disqualify individuals from this role. CAADPE recognizes the value of lived experience and welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds, including those with prior involvement in the justice system.

Employment Classification (FLSA)

This is a full-time, non-exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The employee is eligible for overtime compensation in accordance with applicable federal and California law and is required to accurately record all hours worked using CAADPE's designated timekeeping system.

Compensation

This position is full-time and primarily in-person at CAADPE's Sacramento office, with tele-work opportunities available as the candidate establishes themselves in the role. The hourly rate ranges from $25.00 to $31.25 ($52,000 – $65,000 annually), depending on experience.

Benefits

CAADPE offers a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, which includes health, dental, and vision insurance; retirement plan; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; and other benefits, e.g., professional development support. A full summary of benefits will be provided during the interview process.

Equal Opportunity

The California Association of Alcohol and Drug Program Executives, Inc. is committed to diversity and inclusivity in its workforce. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including people of color, those with bilingual and bi-cultural proficiencies, and members of the LGBTQ+ communities. As an equal opportunity employer, we value and respect the richness that diverse perspectives bring to our organization.

To Apply

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume via email to ***email_hidden***. Interview scheduling priority will be given to applicants who have applied prior to July 31, 2026. Interviews will be conducted during early-to-mid August, with an anticipated start date in early September 2026.

CAADPE reviews applications on a rolling basis and encourages interested candidates to apply early. Applicants selected to advance will be contacted directly to schedule an interview.