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Director of Public Policy - Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), Silver Spring, MD

Posted: Friday, July 30, 2021

 

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Director of Public Policy
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), Silver Spring, MD


Are you an experienced, public policy professional looking to leverage your deep knowledge of federal policy and legislative issues that affect people with developmental and other disabilities with your passion to help a great organization committed to principles of equity, inclusion, and self-determination?  AUCD, a national nonprofit organization that supports the disability community, is seeking a new Director of Public Policy to cultivate and foster AUCD's partnerships with the goal of furthering legislative and federal advocacy priorities.

As our Director of Public Policy, you'll serve as a key member of our senior leadership team and will work closely with the executive director, board, and the association's Public Policy Committee to coordinate and conduct activities that educate the AUCD network and our diverse stakeholders on our work, mission, and key priorities. You'll provide analysis of the impact of federal and state legislation and regulatory changes for our members as well as persons with disabilities and their families. You'll maintain and deepen strong working relationships with Members of Congress and their staff, federal agencies, the disability community, and corporate partners. You'll also prepare testimony for Congressional hearings and use other appropriate methods of communicating AUCD's views and positions.

This will be an exceptional opportunity for you to work on a broad portfolio of issues and systems including employment, education, and healthcare, while ensuring the voice of those with lived experience is included in the process.   At AUCD, you'll find the support you need to exercise your expertise, creativity, and initiative in a fast-paced yet relaxed office atmosphere with a team of dedicated, passionate colleagues, all while helping to improve the well-being of all people with developmental and other disabilities.

The targeted salary range for this position is $110,000 to $120,000, commensurate with experience.  This will be an in-office position once AUCD begins a phased return to our national office in Silver Spring, Maryland.  At this time, AUCD will continue to operate remotely throughout summer 2021, and it is expected that a phased in return will take place after that time. Upon reopening, our hired candidate will be expected to live within a reasonable commutable distance to the national office or will be required to relocate. 

About AUCD

The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), a leading national disability organization, promotes and supports a national network of interdisciplinary centers on disabilities. Its member centers represent every US state and territory, including: 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), 60 Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Programs, and 14 Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRC). Together, these organizations advance policy and practice through research, education, leadership, and services for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families and communities.

We are pleased to provide a family-friendly work environment; a competitive salary based on education and experience; generous health, dental, disability, life insurance and retirement benefits; and three weeks' vacation, sick and personal days, and paid holidays.  The AUCD office is located in downtown Silver Spring, MD, one block from the red line Silver Spring Metro station and next to a county-maintained parking garage.

AUCD is an equal opportunity employer and committed to fostering an inclusive culture that values all types of diversity, and as such has experience accommodating a wide range of disability and related workplace needs.  To that end, candidates from traditionally underrepresented or unrepresented cultural backgrounds and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply for this and our other employment opportunities.

For more information about AUCD, visit: www.aucd.org. 

Position Requirements

You will be qualified for this position if you possess a bachelor's degree in a social science, education, administration, policy, or related field AND five (5) years of progressive and related experience working with individuals with disabilities, including individuals with intellectual disabilities, and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

You will be a considered a preferred candidate if you also have one or more of the following:

  • Familiarity with the capacity and activities of the national network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDDs); Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND); and Intellectual and Developmental Disability Research Centers (IDDRC).
  • Knowledge of key federal agencies, especially ACL, HRSA, NIH and the CDC.
  • Familiarity with national disability, health, and educational advocacy groups.
  • Experience working with US public policy and Congress.
  • Master's degree or equivalent related to public policy, health, education, social services or law.
  • Direct experience in working with children and adults with disabilities and their families.
  • Experience working in higher education settings.

Lastly, you must possess the following attributes, demonstrated through your prior experience:

  • Exceptional communication skills and the ability to translate complex concepts into relevant communication tools for multiple stakeholders (including plain language).
  • Proven success in building credibility as a steward of the mission by demonstrating personal commitment and the ability to use your influence to gain others' support for ideas, proposals, and solutions. 
  • Resourcefulness with the ability to think critically and strategically as well as creatively solve problems.
  • The ability to manage multiple detailed tasks with accuracy while responding to changing priorities in a fast-paced office environment.
  • The ability to work independently and collaboratively with others across teams, internally, externally, and at multiple levels.
  • Skill in effectively coaching, mentoring, and managing program staff including interns, fellows, and issue workgroups.
  • The ability to demonstrate and share your passion for and commitment to AUCD's mission.

To Apply

Please submit: (1) a letter of interest, (2) a resume of relevant experience, (3) names and contact information of at least three professional references, and (4) any accommodations needed for the application and interview process to [email protected] with "Application- Director of Public Policy" as the subject line.  Applications will be accepted and reviewed immediately. The position will remain open until filled.

The online job posting can be found here: https://www.aucd.org/template/opportunity.cfm?opportunity_id=2274&id=44.