Director of Government Relations

The Amputee Coalition is a mission-driven, non-profit organization serving those who have experienced limb loss or limb difference (LL/LD) and the community that supports them. We are the national leader in empowering the LL/LD community through support, information and advocacy.

Salary Category: Exempt.

Supervisor: This position reports to the Chief Policy & Programs Officer.

Employment status: This is a full-time position.

Position Description

Under the supervision of the Chief Policy & Programs Officer, the Director of Government Relations is responsible for developing the positions of the Amputee Coalition on public policy issues, integrating public policy development with grass roots organization and implementing policy decisions.  This position is also responsible for assuring that the organization is utilizing up to date information in communications and in project management and program development.

This position is responsible for educating elected officials and advocates on issues affecting people with LL/LD and the Amputee Coalition, assisting states and advocates in the operations of legislative and rule making campaigns affecting the LL/LD community, driving a national discussion on LL/LD issues with federal legislators and advancing federal legislation and rules affecting people with LL/LD or the Amputee Coalition.  This position also works with the Chief Policy & Programs Officer around developing and implementing training for individual advocates to better advocate for themselves and on issues impacting the community.

Responsibilities

• Provides administrative support to the Government Relations Advisory Committee and lead advocates.  Provides the committee with updates and engaging feedback on policy issues to help make policy decisions.
• Reviews current literature on public policy related to LL/LD and maintains relevant data elements for dissemination to the Amputee Coalition staff for use in communications, grant writing, updating the web site, public policy position statements and other Amputee Coalition projects.
• Writes position statements and white papers on LL/LD and health care policies and other relevant topics for dissemination to the LL/LD community and to the general public.
• Develops and coordinates activities around “Limb Loss Awareness Month” to raise awareness of the LL/LD community, develop and explain policy positions on various issues affecting people with LL/LD and the Amputee Coalition for advocates, agencies, decision makers, and elected officials, maintain a presence on the Amputee Coalition’s Government Relations Committee, and maintain active engagement with the community through the Amputee Coalition’s Communications Department with website and social media interactions.
• Designs and implement communications strategies that best serve the needs of the LL/LD community and the Amputee Coalition in policy discussions, activate advocates on important issues, and represent the Amputee Coalition with media inquiries on policy issues.
• Develops metrics and monitoring tools for reporting to the Board of Directors and to the public.
• Meets with the leadership team to keep the team informed of progress in public policy issues, lead advocate trainings, and other projects as needed.
• Represents the Amputee Coalition in meetings with government agencies, policy makers to maintain working relationships, and appropriate lines of communication as needed.
• Maintains an active presence with advocacy partners, like minded organizations, and agencies, and represent the needs of the LL/LD community and the Amputee Coalition in policy discussions.
• Represents the Amputee Coalition in coordination with other leadership in meetings with partner organizations as necessary to build relationships, coordinate activities and communicate relevant activities of the Amputee Coalition.
• Represents the Amputee Coalition and LL/LD community on key committees with partners to ensure a voice from the LL/LD community on key issues
• Manage Grassroots Advocacy Coordinator and any consultant contracts related to government relations and advocacy efforts
• Work with the Chief Policy & Programs Officer to develop and monitor the budget of assigned grant deliverables and other projects and tasks.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in a Government Relations position in a non-profit health related organization.
• Masters Degree in Public Policy or substantial relevant experience in health care policy and grass roots organizing preferred.
• Hill experience preferred or substantial relevant experience in government relations and federal policy making.
• Computer skills and knowledge of software needed to compile needed information for limb loss policy analysis.
• Clear understanding of federal legislative process and state legislative process.
• Experience utilizing online tools for databases and online meetings.
• Excellent administrative, oral, written, teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Strong work ethic and strong desire to produce an exceptional product.
• Ability to build relationships with legislative offices.
• Ability to effectively present policy issues to groups of consumers, professionals, policy/decision makers, and board members as needed.
• Ability to problem solve, exercise judgment, and work with minimum direction.
• Ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in preparing and displaying information.
• Time management skills and very effective organization skills.
• Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and dedication to the mission of the Amputee Coalition.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. May require lifting and/or carrying of 10 to 50 pounds.

Preference will be given to a person with limb loss/limb difference with equivalent qualifications and experience.

This position is funded by a cooperative agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living.

Due to the anticipated volume of responses, we will contact only those candidates who most closely match our requirements.

This position is located in Washington D.C. There is no relocation reimbursement available for this position.