Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator

Full-Time and Exempt Employee, Reports to Advocacy Co-Director

Disability Rights Washington (DRW) seeks a Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator. The position will coordinate all legislative lobbying, coordinate public policy within Disability Rights Washington, develop strategic alliances with other policy organizations, and advise on policy and politics. You can view our Employment page here to see other open positions at DRW.

DRW understands the importance and contribution of candidates with lived experience. DRW encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including individuals of all races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, ages, national origins, marital statuses, disabilities, and veteran status backgrounds. Disabilities include, but are not limited to, mental health conditions, physical and sensory disabilities, learning and intellectual disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and chronic health conditions.

Candidates must be dedicated to actively engaging in anti-racist advocacy and applying Disability Justice principles to DRW’s work. Information about Disability Justice can be found here: https://www.sinsinvalid.org/blog/10-principles-of-disability-justice.

This position will be based in Washington State (you must currently reside in WA State, or plan to relocate) and will be done in a hybrid role (in the office and/or at home).

Reasonable Disability Accommodations

DRW is committed to providing reasonable disability accommodations at all steps of the hiring process. If you are unsure about what may be considered a disability or what accommodations may work for you, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) provides information about potential accommodations that are searchable by disability, work-related function, and accommodation. Applicants for DRW employment seeking reasonable disability accommodations for the application and hiring processes can contact Jodi Rose, DRW’s Advocacy & Administrative Support Manager, by calling (800) 562-2702 or by emailing info@dr-wa.org.

Job Overview

The Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator is a key contributor to Disability Rights Washington’s mission to protect and advocate for the human, legal, and civil rights of people with disabilities while advancing dignity, equality, and self-determination.

The Public Policy and Advocacy Coordinator will serve Washington’s disability community in a pivotal role by advocating for the interests of the disability community, educating the disability community about how to impact policy directly, and facilitating the disability community as it exerts its public policy making power. This position will develop and implement strategic public policy initiatives, foster positive relationships with local, state, and federal government entities, conduct research and analysis on critical policy and budget issues, develop and disseminate information to policy makers and the public, coordinate DRW’s efforts to support the disability community in advocating for the issues important to them, participate in advocacy through coalitions and alliances, educate policy makers and lobby on issues of importance to people with disabilities.

This job does not involve unsupervised contact with vulnerable adults or children.

The salary range for this position is $81k to $86k, depending on experience.

The position is intended for someone with a minimum of 3 years of experience in Public Policy and/or Advocacy, preferably supporting disability inclusion and justice.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides strategic direction and leadership in implementing DRW’s public policy efforts at the state and federal levels.
• Working with other teams at DRW, coordinates the planning, development, and implementation of DRW’s overall public policy agenda; assuring that DRW’s mission, priorities and interests in protecting the rights of people with disabilities are promoted.
• Educates policymakers on policy issues, legislation, and public policy options, along with the potential impact on Washingtonians with disabilities.
• Coordinates DRW lobbying efforts with the legislature and others
• Monitors, tracks, and prepares informational testimony before committees and/or public hearings consistent with DRW’s mission and values.
• Analyzes proposed legislation and regulatory/policy changes impacting the rights of individuals with disabilities. Systematically tracks legislation and develops/recommends official positions to be taken by DRW

Conflict Resolution

• Effectively utilizes conflict resolution and advocacy skills to resolve both internal and external conflicts

Timely Paperwork and Reporting

• Submits all required reports, timesheets, and other documentation in an accurate and timely manner

Work Conditions

• Movement to and within the Capitol building in Olympia when in session, and as needed/requested.
• Travel may be required to attend in-person meetings at the DRW main office in Seattle, to meet with legislators and other invested parties and partners. Overnight travel may be required for this position.

Workload Monitoring

Maintain a reasonably ambitious workload and keep their immediate supervisor informed when there is insufficient work to perform and when there is a risk that work won’t be completed on a timely basis.

Qualifications

Employee Commitment

All DRW employees are expected to have a commitment to the values expressed in DRW’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Philosophy Statement

Education

• Whether demonstrated through formal education or lived experience, the candidate must have the skills necessary to perform the job. DRW is enthusiastic about considering anyone with the right skills and believes a degree is not necessary for this position and encourages applicants who may not believe they completely meet all described qualities of a top candidate.
• 3 or more years of experience in public policy, advocacy, and working with legislators is preferred.
• Experience in the legislative process and public policy development, civil rights, and other advocacy movements is preferred.

Experience Specific to the Position

• 3 or more years of experience in public policy, advocacy, and working with legislators is preferred.
• Experience in the legislative process and public policy development, civil rights, and other advocacy movements is preferred.

Abilities Specific to the Position

• Demonstrated ability to maintain ethical and organizational standards, communicate a position well, respectfully consider other positions, and treat people of different positions and backgrounds with respect and dignity
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate meetings and discussions
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Washington State legislature
• Demonstrated ability to perform all the responsibilities set forth in this position description
• Demonstrated understanding of anti-racist concepts and a working knowledge of disability justice principles

General Abilities

An employee in this position is expected to have these general abilities:

• Be an effective team member
• Effectively communicate verbally
• Effectively relate to people with all kinds of disabilities
• Exercise initiative, ingenuity, and sound judgment
• Organize and manage time
• Set work goals and create work plan of activities
• Take direction and coordinate work with others
• Use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Outlook, and internet
• Work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Work independently
• Perform basic math functions

Transportation

The candidate must have reliable transportation to travel to the Capitol building, the DRW office in Seattle, and other locations as needed and requested.

Background Check

DRW conducts background checks of conviction and arrest records on final candidates prior to extending offers. The hiring process will be conducted in compliance with Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17 and Washington’s Fair Chance Act, RCW 49.94. Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain and correct background information. A criminal background does not automatically eliminate candidates from consideration. If a criminal background exists, the nature of the offense will be considered in the context of the essential functions of the position.

About Disability Rights Washington (DRW)

DRW is a private nonprofit organization that advances the dignity, equality, and self-determination of people with disabilities. We are designated by the governor of Washington as the independent federally mandated protection and advocacy system for Washington State. We work to pursue justice on matters related to human and legal rights. Our Board of Directors, which is majority Black, Indigenous, people of color, and majority disabled, sets the priorities of our work in consultation with two advisory councils and input from the community to ensure leadership by the most impacted and “nothing about us without us.” Information about our priorities can be found here: https://www.disabilityrightswa.org/priorities/.

DRW is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. DRW encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including individuals of all races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions, ages, national origins, marital statuses, disabilities, and veteran status backgrounds.

For information about us, please visit: http://www.disabilityrightswa.org/.

Generous benefits including 401k contribution, medical, dental, vision care, Health and Flex Spending account options, Costco Membership, Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability, vacation, sick, holiday, parental, and other types of leave, and a 35-hour work week.