Director, Policy & Advocacy - NASW Michigan Chapter

MAJOR FUNCTIONS:

Under the strategic direction of the Chapter Executive Director, the Director of Policy & Advocacy will direct the government and policy advocacy efforts of NASW-Michigan and serve as the association’s staff lobbyist. The Director of Policy & Advocacy works with chapter members, committees, social work leadership, government officials, and allied organizations to develop and implement a proactive policy agenda and strategy to enhance the standing of professional social workers in the state of Michigan.

The Director of Policy & Advocacy works closely with the Chapter Executive Director, other staff to ensure the success of the overall Chapter mission and strategic goals.

This position may be performed either in-person (Lansing, MI) or remotely, but will require travel for chapter events, meetings, and for legislative and advocacy work. 

BASIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop, coordinate and implement policy and advocacy agenda
• Monitor, research and analyze current events, and policy issues that affect social workers, and marginalized communities to make informed recommendations for policy change
• Attend legislative committee meetings and other legislative events on behalf of the Chapter
• Foster partnerships with key leaders in the public, private, philanthropic, and university sectors.
• Develop evidence-based policy positions and communicate to the legislature on behalf of NASW-Michigan.
• Collaborate with chapter multi-client lobbyist to carry out the policy agenda of the chapter, advise the Chapter Legislative and Social Policy (LSP) Committee on policy positions, and advise chapter political action committee (MPACE) on candidate endorsements
• Work with national Government Relations and PACE staff on critical federal legislation and federal candidate races.
• Produce and distribute monthly legislative and policy updates, timely action alerts on an as-needed basis, and other materials to members and related organizations.
• Research and develop proactive evidence-based legislation and policy.
• Write articles, event recaps, testimony, and op-eds on behalf of the chapter.

Other duties include

• Maintaining strategic partnerships
• Member outreach relevant to position
• Event planning duties relevant to position
• Administrative duties relevant to position
• Supervising interns when appropriate

MINIMUM WORK REQUIREMENTS:

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including the ability to effectively communicate and make presentations to a wide variety of audiences.
• Ability to lead and collaborate in a complex environment with multiple competing priorities.
• Ability to manage time effectively.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, organize, and manage a wide array of business related services.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative business relationships and to build credibility and trust throughout the organization.
• Strong problem identification skills, including the ability to problem solve and generate creative solutions, exercise common sense and sound judgment, and make effective decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.
• Detailed oriented and the ability to think critically.
• Strengths-based mindset

Knowledge:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related field. (Masters preferred).
• License preferred (limited or full)
• Knowledge of the social work profession, values and Code of Ethics.

Preferred Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of related work experience, preferably at a professional association and/or nonprofit setting.
• Experience in implementing successful grassroots or direct lobbying campaigns at the school district, city/county, state and/or federal level.
• Experience planning and facilitating workshops, trainings, meetings, or other community events.
• Experience working effectively with coalitions and building coalitions.

ATTRIBUTES

• Social Justice driven: This individual is driven by centering equity, economic, political, racial, and social justice; ensuring that access and opportunity for everyone, particularly those in greatest need are advanced.
• Results driven: This individual sees the big picture, assists with the development and monitoring of key performance metrics to produce the desired results.
• Firm and fair leadership: This individual will work with a wide range of staff, colleagues, and members, requiring a firm, fair, and flexible style that both complements the efforts and supports the needs of others.
• Partnership: This individual is able to build trust internally and externally and must be viewed as highly professional, discreet, and accountable.
• Organizational agility: This individual has a thoughtful, respectful communication style that fosters an open environment, enabling thought-provoking discussions and collaborative decision making.
• Perceptive: This individual is creative and intuitively recognizes opportunities and takes appropriate action.

BENEFITS

• Licensure supervision and reimbursement
• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Job Type: Full-time

Pay Range: $48,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Please click here to apply.