Public Policy Director

Imagine for a moment, a world where every single person feels equal to another and every person feels a sense of belonging in their communities, places of work, among others.

At Disability Rights Oregon this is more than just a dream. This is our life's work. We envision a world in which people with disabilities have equal opportunity, full participation in our communities, and the ability to exercise meaningful choice. Every day, we strive to make Oregon the most welcoming place for people with disabilities to live, work, and engage in our community.

Disability Rights Oregon is seeking a Public Policy Director who thrives in a team environment and has the drive and determination to advocate for people with disabilities and their rights.

The Public Policy Director (Position) is within the leadership team at Disability Rights Oregon. The Position's primary role is to lead work to advance the public policy agenda of Disability Rights Oregon and the Oregonians we serve.

The Position reports to the Chief Executive Officer of Disability Rights Oregon. The Position is responsible for overseeing legislative and political strategy including lobbying the Oregon State Legislature, Congress and relevant agencies, representing Disability Rights Oregon in policy development processes including work groups and task forces, tracking coordination of bills, developing political communications, and engaging in grassroots mobilization, staff workgroups, and coalitions.

The Position works closely with the leadership at Disability Rights Oregon and is expected to collaborate with the Legal Director, Communications Director, and other relevant positions related to the work of policy and advocacy. The Position also confidentially advises the Chief Executive Officer on political and policy implications of internal Disability Rights Oregon matters.

What we are looking for:

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year university and five or more years of paid work experience in public policy advocacy, lobbying local, state or federal government.
• Experience developing legislative concepts and drafting legislation, including work with coalitions.
• Extensive knowledge of the legislative process and public policy development. A strong understanding of the public policy issues impacting persons with disabilities, preferred.
• Demonstrated advocacy and/or social services experience, preferred.
• Experience in civil rights, disability law, and/or other public interest policy/law, preferred.
• Supervisory experience, preferred.

What you can expect to accomplish:

• Provides strategic direction and leadership in developing and implementing DRO's public policy efforts at the state and federal levels.
• Oversees the planning, development, coordination, and implementation of DRO's overall public policy agenda; assuring that DRO'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 Oregonians with disabilities.
• Oversees all DRO lobbying efforts with the Oregon Legislature, along with the supervisory responsibility and corresponding assignment authority over one additional outreach staff at Disability Rights Oregon, Contract Lobbyist, and other staff working on policy to ensure success in our legislative agenda.
• Monitors, tracks, and prepares informational testimony before committees and/or public hearings consistent with DRO'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 DRO.
• Participates in various outreach activities, including coordination with the Communications Director related to public and media relations.

What we offer [besides a rewarding job!]:

• 35 Hour Workweek when the Oregon Legislature is not in Session
• Flexible cafeteria benefit plan to use for employer sponsored Medical and Dental insurance
• 14 paid holidays including floating holidays
• Vacation time starting at 12 days in your first year (and going up to 16 days in your second year with increases capping at 30 days per year)
• 15 days paid sick leave per year
• Employer funded retirement account
• Cafeteria/flexible spending accounts
• Competitive compensation
• Employer paid life insurance, long-term disability insurance, and short-term disability insurance
• Employer paid malpractice insurance, as needed
• Paid association dues and professional development opportunities

Pay Equity:

To ensure pay equity among our staff, DRO pays employees strictly based on years of relevant experience. For this position, the salary range is $90,000-$115,000, depending on experience.

Where is this position located?

This position is hybrid-eligible within Oregon. During the legislative session, the Public Policy Director will be expected to be in Salem daily. Outside the session, the position will maintain a hybrid schedule, working remotely, in the Portland office, or in Salem for any necessary meetings. Occasional out-of-state travel is required to support federal policy efforts.

Interested?

We can't wait to hear from you! For consideration, please apply online at droregon.org/jobs. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. A resume, cover letter, and references are required.

Disability Rights Oregon is committed to creating a diverse workforce to strengthen our organization and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. The individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent that our employees invest in their work helps shape the culture here at Disability Rights Oregon. We strive to have a workforce that represents the communities we serve.

We strongly encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. All employment decisions at Disability Rights Oregon are based on job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, genetic information, age (18 and over), veteran status, uniform servicemember status, unemployment status, sexual orientation, gender identity (including gender-related identity and gender expression), marital status, family status, or an individual having been a victim of sexual abuse, including domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking.

If you meet key qualifications for the job, and believe you would be the best fit, we encourage you to apply; please use your cover letter to explain how you will accomplish parts of the job for which you have less experience. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, please apply.

Bargaining Unit: No