Director of Government Relations & Advocacy

Job Details

Description

Join Chimes – and go further to help others go far! Chimes is a not-for-profit organization that assists people with intellectual and behavioral challenges in achieving their fullest potential.

Our vast array of services — educational, employment, vocational, residential, habilitative, and behavioral health — are delivered through a network of national and international affiliates. This allows us to take a comprehensive, holistic approach to improving the lives of every person we serve — those who receive and reap the benefits of our innovative, responsive solutions.

As the Director, you will work closely with the Vice President of Development and Communications and Chimes leadership to identify and secure federal, state, and county government legislative outcomes that align with the organizational objectives of Chimes. Additionally, you will develop, analyze, formulate, lobby, and represent the positions of Chimes before Congress, affiliate state general assemblies, county governments, and other governmental bodies and entities as appropriate. The Director will serve as the primary representative to state and federal government policymakers and staff across all affiliate states and help build the Chimes brand amongst key stakeholders. In this position, you will define policy objectives, identify grant leads, build consensus across a diverse group of stakeholders, and orchestrate advocacy initiatives, including acting as primary liaison to the Affiliate Advisory Councils to ensure they provide meaningful support to the areas they represent.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTION(S):

– Monitor federal and state public policy trends and legislative/regulatory developments; advise on merits of engagement, ensure timely and accurate actions/responses. Act as go-to/in-house expert for legislative affairs and policy matters.
– Develop policy position statements, issue briefs, regulatory comments, legislative/policy text, and testimony, write and deploy press releases.
– Create and maintain an advocacy database of constituents and employees to support Chimes’ outreach efforts via email, mail, and phone calls with federal, state, and local legislators on key issues.
– Monitor and funnel grant and appropriations opportunities for each state in which Chimes conducts operations.
– Build and maintain relationships with key members of Congress and staff, personnel for committees of jurisdiction, the administration, and regulatory agencies to communicate and effectively represent Chimes legislative/policy objectives.
– Conduct engagement tours of Chimes operational programs for federal and local officials to promote day, residential, vocational, and mental health programs.
– Keep abreast of public health issues that affect people supported by Chimes services.
– Work with outside consultants, manage member engagement/committees related to public policy, coordinate Affiliate Advisory Council activities in support of legislative and regulatory efforts, develop and maintain the database on Chimes member Congressional relationships, and provide Chimes leadership with the tools they need to be effective advocates.
– Organize and conduct regularly scheduled Affiliate Advisory Council meetings for Chimes located in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Maryland.
– Participate in coalitions and serve as primary liaison to various groups and councils. Represent Chimes on service delivery-related coalitions, task forces, groups/projects, etc.
– Develop and maintain subject matter expertise in the following areas relating to services and supports for people with disabilities, behavioral health services, and related workforce, employment, public health, and technology components.
– Cover Letter and writing sample required for role.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION:

– BA Degree required, Master’s preferred.

EXPERIENCE:

– Disability, behavioral health, or public health policy experience preferred.
– Strong organizational, motivational, and consensus-building skills.
– Exceptional persuasive writing ability, strong public speaking and communication skills.
– Accustomed to working in a fast-paced environment; political campaign experience a plus.
– Occasional weekend obligations; Travel required.

What’s in it for you?

Total Rewards (For Full-Time Employees = >30 hours/week):
– Competitive Pay
– Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
– Tuition Reimbursement options
– Flexible Spending Accounts (Health, Dependent, and Transportation)
– Life Insurance
– Disability Insurance
– Paid Time Off
– 403(b) with Employer Match
– Employee Recognition Programs
– Employee Referral Bonus opportunities
– Discounts through “Tickets at Work”
– Discounts on Verizon mobile service
– And More!

Want to learn more?

To learn more about this position, visit us at: https://chimes.org/Careers.

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Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)