The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the nation's leading cancer advocacy organization. Together with our charitable partner, the American Cancer Society, we work in Congress, state legislatures and local jurisdictions to support evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. Based in Washington, DC with offices throughout the country, ACS CAN works to encourage elected officials and candidates to make cancer a top national priority.
Serve as issue resource, lead and support to ACS CAN field staff in applying national public policy positions to state and local legislative, regulatory and ballot initiatives. In partnership with ACS CAN regional and field staff, this includes: actively representing ACS CAN with national external and internal partners, stakeholders and forming new partnerships to drive the issue priorities at the state and local levels as well as participating in policy discussions at the state and local government levels. Develop, analyze, provide guidance and utilize best practice programs to achieve and support state prevention advocacy strategies for issue portfolio. Support staff by drafting and/or adapting legislative testimony, talking points, fact sheets, etc. for a legislative audience and by training and assisting with strategic and other planning. Participate in ACS CAN fund-raising opportunities as appropriate.
- Serve as an issue and campaign resource for assigned issue portfolio internally and externally for ACS CAN for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico.
- Serve as an expert in analyzing state and local legislation through the application of public policy positions and messaging.
- Monitor and analyze all relevant portfolio issues and provide oral and written analysis, guidance and support to ACS CAN field division, regional and leadership staff, and other relevant ACS CAN and Society staff including the Global team.
- Working with supervisor, provide strategic issue and campaign best practice guidance and consultation to ACS CAN staff and to the Society and the Global team as appropriate on issue portfolio legislative, regulatory and initiative campaigns as appropriate.
- Draft or adapt state legislative testimony, talking points, fact sheets, background materials, cost benefit analysis, and other materials for a legislative and legislative staff audience.
- Work with ACS CAN policy, media and grassroots staff to coordinate advancement of strategic leadership role for issue portfolio as appropriate.
- Working in partnership with ACS CAN policy team, develop or support the development of policy reports as may be needed.
- Provide local research as needed to supplement information provided by policy team and state and local campaigns team.
- Help coordinate, from a policy perspective, strategic and other legislative campaign planning in all the states as appropriate.
- Track policy trends within assigned issue portfolio, and assist state and local campaigns team with being as proactive as possible when new types of cancer-related legislation emerge.
- Facilitate campaign planning using Direct Action Organizing principles as required.
- Manage consultants and internal project/campaign teams as well as legislative/campaign and grant budgets as appropriate for nationwide projects.
- Work to support ACS CAN’s income development goals.
- Apply and follow ACS CAN policies and guidelines.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
- Demonstrates Policy Development/Emerging Issues competencies: Manages Complexity, Balances Stakeholders, Strategic Mindset, Plans and Aligns, Ensures Accountability, Collaborates, Organizational Savvy, and Manages Ambiguity.SKILLS:
- Excellent research and analysis, writing, and teaming skills required.
- Ability to work independently with minimum direction as well as work as a member or leader of a team.
- Demonstrated ability to work on fast-paced, time-sensitive matters with internal and external constituents.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals and communities.
- Ability to complete work in a timely and efficient manner and ensure work is accurate.
- Ability to utilize available technology to perform position responsibilities.
SPECIALIZED TRAINING OR KNOWLEDGE:
- Familiarity with legislative language, processes and public policy implications.Knowledge of health care policy preferred.
SPECIAL MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
- Travel required.