Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director of Public Policy and Media Relations serves as the principal staff for grassroots advocacy efforts and government affairs Rhode Island. The purpose of the role is to promote the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association in Rhode Island by building and mobilizing grassroots advocacy, interacting with policy makers and coalitions, and communicating the Association’s issues and priorities as a public speaker and resident expert to the media. This role is also responsible the Chapter’s Media Relations and Volunteer Recruitment duties. This position requires significant travel within the Chapter as well as within New England and occasional national travel. Occasional availability during evenings and weekends required.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Plan and implement all grassroots and grasstops advocacy activities focusing on federal, state, and local leaders.
- Recruit, train, and facilitate efforts of advocates, including Alzheimer’s Association Ambassadors and their team members for members of Congress and state-level Association Champions for state legislators.
- Manage year-round state policy grassroots advocacy activities, including office visits and correspondence, including electronic correspondence.
- Mobilize advocates on federal issues in coordination with the D.C. Public Policy Office, including ensuring timely and effective response to policy developments by advocates.
- Plan and implement Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day at the state capitol, including recruiting advocates and coordinating their activities.
- Recruit and coordinate volunteer advocates to attend the Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. and to engage in pre- and post-Forum district office meetings.
- Plan and implement town halls/community events with members of the state’s congressional delegation.
- Oversee the development of public policy priorities at the state level in collaboration with other relevant chapter staff and the national public policy office.
- Develop the strategy - and oversee all efforts and activities - to achieve the state-level public policy priorities, including working with the state legislature and state agencies, including the public health department, as appropriate.
- Serve as the Association’s chief professional lobbyist and face of the Association in Providence by developing relationships with state legislators and other relevant government officials and by lobbying for the state policy priorities.
- Build, develop, and work with, where appropriate, alliances with similar organizations, coalitions, committees, task forces, etc. in order to advance issues of importance to the Association at the state level.
- Represent the chapter at public forums, conferences, state task forces, government agencies, etc. on public policy issues as needed.
- Support and participate in chapter events such as Walk to End Alzheimer’s, as requested.
- Promote and assist advocate volunteers in the promotion of the Association’s 501(c)(4) advocacy arm - the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM).
- Manage advocacy database, including by ensuring advocates are reporting activities and contacts with federal and state officials.
- Track and report activities to ensure compliance with federal and state lobbying laws.
- Assist and collaborate with the Communications team to coordinate media outreach that promotes the Association’s state and federal policy priorities, including through press releases, letters to the editor, and other earned media events.
- Work with chapter and regional staff to enhance media relations and maximize earned media impressions across all strategic Alzheimer’s Association priorities, including developing relationships with local media outlets/reporters, crafting diverse press releases, and assisting in the purchasing of paid advertising.
- All other duties as assigned.
Educational Background:
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
Skills/Experience:
- Be experienced in building and working with coalitions.
- Have strong and extensive experience in community organizing/volunteer management and/or in the legislative, regulatory, and budget process in Rhode Island.
- Be familiar with senior, aging, health, and long-term care issues. An understanding of Alzheimer’s disease/dementia and basic understanding of public health a plus.
- Demonstrate the ability to anticipate, identify, organize, and analyze public policy opportunities.
- Possess excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Be detail oriented, adaptable, organized and able to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks.
- Be a proven self-starter with excellent judgment and careful attention to detail.
- Have the ability to work effectively with diverse populations with a high level of integrity, diplomacy, and initiative.
- Experience working with the media, preferred.
- Be proficient in the use of personal computers and Microsoft software applications.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
- At least 4 to 7 years' experience working in grassroots advocacy, volunteer management, or community organizing, preferably with non-profit organizations and/or working in state-level government affairs or with a state legislature.
- Have current contacts within the state legislature and executive branch, and with potential partners and collaborators.
- Political or issue advocacy campaign experience desired.
- Ability/willingness to travel frequently across the state, including some evenings and weekends.
- Media experience preferred
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Oct 29 2018
Active Until:
Nov 29 2018
Hiring Organization:
Alzheimer's Association
industry:
Nonprofit