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Founded in 1955, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with more than 120,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

I. MAJOR FUNCTION:

As a member of the Public Policy team at the organization’s headquarters, the Public Policy & Advocacy Manager works under the Director of Public Policy to develop and implement the association’s social justice and federal advocacy in support of:

• Economic equality, criminal/juvenile justice, immigration, social justice including reducing childhood poverty, creating economic stability, relieving student debt, advancing health care equity, promoting the rights of LGBTQ individuals and people with disabilities, political equity, environmental justice, the intersection of racial equity and civil rights, and other issues.
• The social work profession, including issues relate to reimbursement, licensure, workforce and workplace safety, and increasing access to behavioral health and social work services. The position works in close coordination with the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) team at NASW and infuses social justice and the DEI lens in all its public policy work.

II. BASIC DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Manages the development and implementation of the unit’s goals, objectives, and strategies.  Prepares and monitors performance of program plans and budgets.
2. Monitors federal legislative, regulatory and executive branch developments regarding workforce and social justice issues. Identifies opportunities to advance NASW’s national advocacy agenda, including but not limited to developing policy positions, lobbying and developing and submitting public comments on regulations. Pursues advocacy opportunities, under direction of Supervisor and in collaboration with appropriate staff within and outside Programs Division, including NASW’s 55 state/territory chapters.
3. Represents NASW at coalition and other meetings. Provides NASW perspective on and uses information from coalition efforts to inform NASW advocacy.
4. Represents NASW at conferences and convenings. Some overnight travel required.
5. Prepares and delivers presentations at conferences and events.
6. Provides updates to senior leadership staff.
7. Staffs and helps develop content for the national NASW conference and other NASW events, including association lobbying events.
8. Conceives, develops and writes a variety of materials and resources, working with external partners as appropriate.
9. Serves as a staff liaison, writer and/or copy editor for updates of statements contained in Social Work Speaks.
10. Advises on, develops and writes social justice-related content for NASW National’s website and NASW publications.
11. Drafts public statements, including NASW press releases on policy matters that pertain to social justice, in consultation with Supervisor and other association leaders.
12. Performs other duties as assigned.

III. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

1. Internal:  Interacts with NASW staff, appointed leadership, and members to exchange information and for job execution.
2. External: Interacts with partner and ally organization staff and leaders, government officials, NASW members, the broader social work community, and other stakeholders.

IV. MINIMUM WORK REQUIREMENTS:

The Manager will possess a commitment to NASW’s social justice agenda. They will be a self-starter who can work effectively independently, as well as part of a team, in a fast-paced, dynamic organizational and policy environment.

Strong skills are required in:

• Project management including priority setting
• Policy research, analysis and problem solving
• Advocacy
• Written communication
• Verbal communication
• Public speaking
• Must also be proficient in Microsoft (including Word, Outlook and PowerPoint).

Education: Master’s in Social Work (MSW) is preferred, but will consider other degrees including policy, public administration, public health, law, or related field.

Experience:  Requires a minimum of five (5) years of prior professional, manager-level experience in advocacy, social policy and/or government relations, preferably in a national association or national nonprofit setting. Prior coalition experience is preferred.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
NASW policy generally requires that all employees complete a primary COVID-19 vaccination series and receive a booster vaccination when eligible. (Employees are not required to obtain an updated (bivalent) booster, which became available in September 2022, if they received a booster previously, but are encouraged to do so when eligible.) If an offer of employment is made, the candidate, as a condition of employment, will be required to provide documentation (such as a CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card) showing that they satisfy this requirement. If the candidate does not currently meet this requirement but will in the near future, NASW may be able to postpone the start date to allow the candidate to be compliant with the requirement. Candidates may request a medical or religious exemption for this requirement.

NASW is an equal opportunity employer.  As such, NASW is committed to promoting and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees.  The selection of personnel, including new hires and promotions, will be on the basis of qualifications designed to ensure appointments of persons able to effectively discharge the duties and responsibilities of their position.  The Association will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.  The Association will also abide by applicable Affirmative Action requirements mandated by any federal contracts.