Public Policy & Government Relations Director

Overview

To be considered for this position, please upload your resume and cover letter at the prompt.

Founded in 1955, the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with more than 120,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

Major Function

The Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs develops and leads NASW’s public policy and government affairs portfolio with the goal of advancing legislation and public policies that support the social work profession and the individuals, families, and communities the social workers serve. The Director manages NASW’s Public Policy and Government Affairs Department, collaborates with NASW departments and chapters and with coalitions, government officials, and other stakeholders to develop and implement public policies that advance the social work profession, and is responsible for integrating NASW’s public policy and government affairs agenda into NASW’s overall mission, goals, and priorities. This Director supports NASW’s DE&I initiatives by helping to translate its organizational vision for DE&I into organization-wide planning, systems and policies that are designed, implemented, and regularly reviewed for equity and inclusion.

At NASW our members come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes our organization stronger. If you share our values and are enthusiastic you will find a home here.

Responsibilities

• Leading and overseeing NASW’s public policy advocacy efforts, including building relationships with Congressional offices and Administration leaders to advance legislation and public policies that support the social work profession, overseeing advocacy days and other advocacy-related events, overseeing NASW’s lobbying activities, ensuring compliance with all FEC lobbying rules and regulations, and supervising staff leading NASW’s political action committee’s fundraising and endorsement efforts, partnering with chapters to identify, assess, strategize, and advocate on relevant public policies, and other activities as needed to advance NASW’s public policy agenda
• Supervising department staff, monitoring workflow and accomplishments of the department, and facilitating a collaborative, innovative, teamwork-based atmosphere within the department
• Working with department staff to provide guidance and support to NASW chapters on state advocacy efforts
• Collaborating with other directors in the Programs division to promote efficient, effective, and coordinated work within the division
• Collaborating with NASW chapters, staff, and other stakeholders to analyze and pursue public policy opportunities that advance the activities and goals of the social work profession (and to develop strategies to oppose those that are contrary to the activities and goals of the profession)
• Leading the team on the development and dissemination of NASW’s federal public policy priorities and updating work on those priorities on a regular basis
• Working with NASW chapters, Executive Office, Press, and Delegate Assembly to revise the Social Work Speaks process so that it supports the social work profession in a concise and timely manner
• Representing NASW at key legislative and coalition meetings, participating in coalitions to advance public policies relevant to the social work profession and the people social workers serve, and overseeing coalition participation by department staff
• Working with NASW’s Chief of Programs, other departments, and chapters to develop and implement a strategy to pursue grants and federal appropriations for the social work profession
• Overseeing NASW’s contract with its government affairs and public policies consultants and ensuring that all strategies and deliverables of the contract are met in a comprehensive and timely manner
• Leading the re-design and implementation of NASW’s Social Work Policy Institute, a think tank that enhances connections between research, policy, and practice through convening of experts, development of policy briefs and briefings, and hosting of symposia to advance the social work profession
• Developing strategies to continuously build NASW’s government affairs team and its visibility, reputation, and expertise on Capitol Hill
• Speaking at professional conferences and chapter meetings and on webinars and conference calls to present NASW’s public policy goals, strategies, and activities
• Collaborating and strategizing with NASW’s Communications department to ensure legislative and public policy updates are publicized as strategically and as timely as possible
• Monitoring legislative and regulatory updates relevant to the social work profession and disseminating those updates in a timely manner
• Keeping NASW’s advocacy webpages updated on a regular basis
• Managing and mentoring department staff and promoting collaboration with other NASW departments and chapters
• Developing and managing the department’s budget, including monitoring and approving all staff travel and expenses
• Other duties as required to meet the goals of the department and NASW.

Minimum Work Requirements

Knowledge :

Skills :

Experience :

Attributes

This position is eligible for NASW's benefits package, which includes : Paid Time Off, Health Insurance (Health + Dental + Vision Coverages), Paid Parental Leave, 401(k) retirement plan {pre and post-tax options}, Life Insurance and more.

NASW is an equal opportunity employer. As such, NASW is committed to promoting and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees. The selection of personnel, including new hires and promotions, will be on the basis of qualifications designed to ensure appointments of persons able to effectively discharge the duties and responsibilities of their position. The Association will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), marital status, veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Association will also abide by applicable Affirmative Action requirements mandated by any federal contracts.

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