Public Policy Director

Coordinates and administers the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities' public policy program. Works closely with Executive Director and Legislative Advocacy Director to plan and implement comprehensive, effective public policy strategies in collaboration with Council members, staff, advocates and partnering organizations. Plans and develops public policy. Serves as policy analyst and assists in the development of new initiatives. Reviews pertinent legislative proposals and activities of other key state agencies and determines the impact each has on the agency and its area of focus. Provides information to legislators, constituents, and other stakeholders. Initiates and oversees a broad variety of projects; develops and manages projects and oversees project management and development by subordinate staff. Completes special projects as requested and other job-related duties as assigned. Supervises support personnel.

Core Function: Project Leadership and Research

• Under guidance of Chief Program Officer, initiates and oversees a broad variety of projects based on the Council's strategic plan and legislative priorities
• Develops and manages projects from RFP development to closeout; oversees development and management of projects by subordinate staff
• Develops, compiles and analyzes surveys, focus group data and other data to formulate policy and programmatic recommendations for Council members, staff, advocates and others
• Schedules and conducts meetings to present, explain and discuss the Council's policy recommendations with individuals and groups
• Develops research findings and recommendations for policy and program activities by preparing position papers and issues papers and other reports for review by Council members, staff, advocates, legislators and others

Core Function: Administer Public Policy Program

• Provides comprehensive oversight and coordination of GCDD's public policy program
• Recommends annual legislative agenda of shared goals and objectives with stakeholders
• Facilitates a process for community input into developing a "disability agenda"
• Tracks changes in legislation and reviews newly enacted legislation and analyzes how these changes may impact the agency, people with disabilities and their families
• Works with Public Relations Director to improve spreading legislative information to stakeholders
• Attends relevant state agency meetings & relays information back to GCDD
• Makes policy recommendations to appropriate individuals or groups
• Coordinates scheduling families and advocates visiting and presenting at the Capital in response to budgetary or legislative issues
• Creates and presents public policy presentations

Core Function: Liaison to Elected Officials

• Serves as a representative of the agency to the Georgia legislature, Congressional Delegation, state and federal agencies and national and regional associations. Must be available during Georgia legislative session for regular in-person work at state capitol
• Responds to stakeholder requests and inquiries regarding constituents or providers in a timely manner
• Serves as representative of the agency to the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Public Policy Team
• Coordinates with members of the Georgia General Assembly and state agency officials on agency issues that may impact services

Core Function: Legislative Agenda

• Manages process of monitoring legislation proposed during the legislative session
• Tracks state and federal legislation and analyzes progress
• Ensures appropriate individual(s) receive all relevant legislation updates

Core Function: Supervision & Teamwork

• Supervises Legislative Advocacy Director, providing regular evaluation and feedback, and taking corrective action when appropriate
• Works closely with Executive Director, Chief Program Officer and Legislative Advocacy Director to plan and implement comprehensive, effective public policy strategies in collaboration with Council members, staff, advocates and partnering organizations.
• Works closely with Chief Program Officer, Legislative Advocacy Director and GCDD staff to design and oversee a wide variety of projects in the community
• Collaborates with staff & Council members to support Council programming & activities