The Public Policy Director will advance the Amputee Coalition's mission through its legislative and advocacy agenda to educate policymakers and activists on issues affecting the limb loss and limb difference community.
The Public Policy Director monitors state and federal legislation and regulations that impact the limb loss and limb difference (LL/LD) community. The role provides expert analysis of policy challenges facing the LL/LD community, engages individuals who have LL/LD to inform policy development, and advises organizational leadership on policy positions, legislative priorities, and public responses. The Public Policy Director supports external communication strategies and public announcements associated with the organization's policy positions to the public audience reached through the Amputee Coalition's Communications team. The Public Policy Director ensures that all public policy positions and communications align with the organization's vision, mission, and core values to expand impact across various ethnic groups and under-resourced populations.
Essential Functions
- Oversee the development and execution of the Amputee Coalition's Policy Matrix and Legislative Agenda, including publication, stakeholder engagement, and education efforts.
- Supports the Chief Executive Officer to execute the Legislative and Advocacy Agenda.
- Lead and coordinate legislative letters of support on behalf of the Amputee Coalition ensuring alignment with the organization's mission, values, and policies.
- Lead key organizational policy initiatives and programs, through policy research, legislative analysis, model policy development, legislative tracking, and coordination of policy-focused stakeholder engagement activities.
- Provide strategic guidance and analysis on legislative, regulatory, and health coverage policies, identifying opportunities and barriers affecting access to mobility technologies and related healthcare services.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with internal teams to support policy objectives.
- Monitors federal and state legislation and regulations that impact the limb loss and limb difference community.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with other organizations in support of coalition development.
- Edits and updates materials and fact sheets, including web content, articles, and print publications about federal and state public policy matters important to the limb loss and limb difference community.
- Represents the Amputee Coalition through presentation at state and national meetings on the Amputee Coalition's policy priorities.
- Execute policymakers, government agencies, and advocacy partner organizations engagement plan, including the Coalition's Corporate Council.
- Supports the administration and execution of the Amputee Coalition's public policy activities, including coordinating coalition meetings, drafting minutes for standing Amputee Coalition-led coalition conference calls, scheduling meetings with legislative staff, assisting with federal lobbying reports, lending logistical support for briefings, roundtables and other events organized by the Coalition, and preparing meeting packets for public policy meetings.
- As needed, coordinate meetings with federal offices and key stakeholders with the CEO, board members, and volunteers.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
- A clear understanding of federal and state legislative processes and navigating legislation.
- Ability to effectively lead public forums, listening sessions, present policy issues and conduct training for limb loss/limb difference community members, professionals, and others.
- Comfort in building and cultivating relationships with people who have disabilities, legislative offices, and volunteers.
- Track record illustrating excellent administrative, oral, written, and interpersonal skills. Experience communicating complex concepts through oral and written formats.
- Capable of working independently and collaboratively in a remote work environment.
- Ability to problem solve, think critically and strategically, exercise judgment, work with minimal direction, achieve deadlines and work from written and oral instructions.
- Strong work ethic, integrity, and judgment and dedication to the mission of the Amputee Coalition.
- Strong desire to produce an exceptional product, including the ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in preparing and displaying information.
- Commitment to working with people from diverse academic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
Required Education, Certifications/ Licenses, Related Experience
- Bachelor's degree in political science, public policy, or related discipline, public health, or related discipline (or commensurate experience) or a minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in public policy and/or government relations. Experience in health-related policy preferred.
- Experience managing government relations or public policy programs.
- Experience writing organizational letters of support, analyzing, and researching policies and writing policy briefs.
- Experience utilizing online tools for database management and online meeting presentations.
- Background in agency, corporate, or nonprofit environments requiring high-level coordination and joint program execution.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in political science, public policy, health policy, public health, or related discipline.
- Knowledge of software needed to compile information for policy analysis and communications (i.e. Quorum and Phone 2 Action).
- Knowledge of limb loss and limb difference policy initiatives that impact equitable access.
- Experience working with people who have limb loss and/or limb difference.
- Experience directly supervising staff.
Physical Job Requirements
- This position requires the ability to remain stationary and seated for over half their time.
- The person in this position may need to move about healthcare organizations and the Amputee Coalition National Office less than half their time.
- This position requires the ability to spend the majority of their time viewing computer monitors
- This position is exposed to outdoor weather conditions and non-climate-controlled workspace(s) less than half the time.
Travel Requirements
- This position travels overnight for legislative visits to state capitols and the US Capitol, policy forums, and annually for national conference less than 10% of the time
- Anticipated travel will be by car, air, and/or train
Behaviors (Values in Practice)
- Accountability - Responsible for own words, actions, and results
- Compassion - Act with kindness and caring to everyone we encounter.
- Improvement - Strive for continuous growth in everything we do.
- Innovation - Encourage thoughtful, creative, and inspirational stories and ideas.
- Integrity - Build trust through responsible actions and honest relationships.
- Respect - Treat people with dignity and professionalism.
- Service - Provide resources, programs, and relevant connections to support people through their journey.
- Teamwork - Believe that through collective efforts we can create a more inclusive and accessible world for everyone.