Director, Public Policy
National Industries for the Blind
Posted: 7/21/2009
Job Type: Management
Alexandria, Virginia
Expiration Date:12/21/2009
Helping people help themselves…. Incorporated as a 501C3 not-for-profit organization, National Industries for the Blind (NIB) enhances the opportunities for economic and personal independence of persons who are blind, primarily through creating, sustaining and improving employment. NIB operates under the Javits-Wagner-O'Day (JWOD) Act, a mandatory federal purchasing program, enabling people who are blind to work and provide products and services to federal and commercial customers. By harnessing the demand and purchasing power of the federal government, NIB and its associated agencies supply federal markets with a selection of more than 3,000 quality products and services under the trade name SKILCRAFT®— manufactured and provided by people who are blind at more than 80 associated agencies, across the nation. Currently, NIB is searching for a Director, Public Policy. This position will be the owner of NIB’s strategy for monitoring and influencing public policy, legislation and regulations affecting federal procurement and disability employment. The person will provide leadership in cultivating understanding and support for NIB and the AbilityOne Program from Congress, Federal Executive Branch Agencies, Consumer and/or other organization also concerned with procurement and/or disability employment policy. Directly supervises and approves work, reviews performance, and recommends salary adjustments of reporting staff. Manage the Public Policy Administrative Assistant. EDUCATION REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science or related discipline and seven years of relevant experience and training. Masters or Law Degree preferred. TRAINING AND SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED: Must possess ability to articulate NIB's position in verbal and written form. Experience in government relations, federal procurement policy, disability employment policy, understanding of the Javits-Wagner-O’Day Act and AbilityOne Program and issues, and organizations in the blindness and broader disability communities. Experience in working with coalitions. EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Minimum of seven years of directly related experience in a nonprofit or government environment. Prior Capitol Hill office experience is a strong plus. TRAVEL REQUIRED: May require up to 20% travel. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT 1. Lead and manage the development, implementation, and execution of annual plan for Public Policy that accurately forecasts budget requirements and align departmental goals with NIB’s annual Strategic Business Plan to meet overall corporate objectives. 2. Manage the departmental budget developed for the Public Policy plan to target. 3. Lead and manage the Public Policy team. Ensure that roles and responsibilities for all are clear, comprehensive, and focus sharply on achieving departmental and corporate objectives. 4. Direct the training and development of the Public Policy team to improve project management capabilities and aid professional development. Manage the day-to-day activities of NIB’s government relations consulting firm and approve its monthly invoice. MONITORING AND INFLUENCING PUBLIC POLICY 1. Oversees the daily monitoring via electronic data base search service of introduced and tracked legislation, selected Congressional Committees and Subcommittees. The Congressional Record, Federal Register and news articles. 2. Monitors and influences relevant evolving public policy by participating in and articulating NIB’s positions at meetings, conferences and Task Forces and analyzing communications of other organizations including the Coalition for Government Procurement, Government Executive Magazine, Roll Call, Federal Contracts Report, Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind, Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired, Blinded Veterans Association, American Council of the Blind, Randolph-Sheppard Vendors of America, National Federation of the Blind, Blind Merchants Division, NISH, Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation, National Council of State Agencies for the Blind, and federal government agencies including such as the Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Disabled, the Department of Labor, Department of Education, Social Security Administration, and Department of Health and Human Services. 3. Develops grassroots plan and coordinates activities of NIB associated nonprofit agencies in their local communities. If necessary, assist agencies with state and local government relations issues on a case by case basis. 4. Provides staff support for the Government Relations Committee of the NIB Board of Directors and for the Rehabilitation and Public Policy Committee of the National Association for Employment of People who are Blind (NAEPB). 5. Oversees collaboration with NISH to select and honor Congressional AbilityOne Champions. PUBLIC POLICY AND CONSUMER RELATIONS COMMUNICATIONS 1. Serves as a pro-active information resource for staff of NIB and associated nonprofit agencies on current issues and developments in the federal procurement and disability employment arenas. Seeks input from appropriate colleagues on issues of specific concern. 2. Writes position papers, legislative alerts and periodic updates for approval of the Vice- President, External Affairs and Public Policy and dissemination according to organization procedures. 3. Educates selected Members of Congress and their staffs on the JWOD Act and AbilityOne Program and NIB accomplishments and/or concerns. 4. Prepares semi-monthly reports for the Vice-President of External Affairs and Public Policy and quarterly summaries for the NIB Leadership Team. BENEFITS AND HOW TO APPLY NIB has an excellent benefit plan which includes major medical, dental, life, short and long term disability, pension, 403b, flexible work schedule for some positions, metro access, workout facility access, a generous vacation/sick plan and the best group of individuals to work with. If you are interested in working for an organization that is changing lives, please apply online. If you are blind or visually impaired, please indicate that in your cover letter or resume. NIB is an equal opportunity employer. Those who are blind are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about NIB and what we do, please visit our website at www.nib.org
Contact Name: Ann Walling
Contact Phone
(703) 310-0638
Contact Fax
(703) 310-0485
Contact E-mail Address: hr@nib.org
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