Director of Public Policy; Internal

The Director of Public Policy leads Disability Justice’s work to educate policymakers to advance the rights of people with disabilities. The Director works closely with Disability Justice’s legal and advocacy teams to identify systemic policy changes.
The Director analyzes and assesses legislative and regulatory policies and proposals to determine their potential impact on people with disabilities and educates policymakers, community partners, and the public accordingly.

The position reports directly to the Executive Director. This is a supervisory position.

• Develop and implement Disability Justice’s systemic work plan in collaboration with organizational leadership, staff, community partners, and people with disabilities

• Coordinate staff efforts and track progress toward organizational priorities.

• Supervise, support, and provide direction to staff working under this position and coordinate their work to advance Disability Justice’s systemic priorities.

• Monitor and analyze proposed and existing legislation, regulations, budgets, and other government actions to assess their impact on people with disabilities and identify opportunities for systemic advocacy.

• Develop and implement organizational responses to legislative, regulatory, and budget proposals and educate policymakers and agency officials about the impact of these proposals to people with disabilities.

• Identify and advance opportunities for policy change in collaboration with Disability Justice attorneys, advocates, and leadership.

• Maintain strategic relationships with disability and advocacy organizations, policymakers, state agencies, community partners, and other stakeholders.

• Participate in coalitions, hearings, commissions, task forces, panels, and other public forums, and serve as a spokesperson when appropriate.

• Prepare and oversee legislative testimony, policy briefs, position statements, public comments, fact sheets, reports, presentations, trainings, and other written or multimedia content related to Disability Justice’s priorities.

• Maintain current knowledge of nonprofit lobbying requirements and oversee Disability Justice’s lobbying registrations, disclosures, tracking, reporting, and compliance with applicable state and federal requirements, including restrictions on federal funds.

• Track the progress and effectiveness of systemic initiatives, provide regular updates to leadership and staff, and contribute to organizational planning and the development of broader systemic advocacy priorities.

REQUIRED

• JD, MPP, MPA, MPH, MSW, or similar advanced degree in public policy, public administration, public health, political science, social work, or a similar field

• Five or more years of experience in policy analysis, legislative advocacy, government, public affairs, law, or another relevant field

• Two years of experience directly educating lawmakers
  and building and maintaining relationships with policymakers, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and community partners

• Experience providing substantive leadership and direction to accomplish systemic remedies

• Ability to register and remain in good standing as a lobbyist in Colorado

• Strong communication, research, writing, analytical, and organizational skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders

• Commitment to disability justice, equity, and self-advocacy

• Experience supervising policy, legislative, advocacy, or government affairs staff

• Experience with nonprofit lobbying compliance and reporting requirements

• Lived experience with disability

This role requires regular in-person work at the Colorado State Capitol, state agencies, and community locations, as well as occasional evening or non-standard hours during legislative sessions. The Director is expected to maintain availability during critical periods of the legislative session and provide leadership to the policy team as priorities and legislative developments evolve.

This is a full-time, exempt position. The salary range is $90, annually, depending on experience.

Disability Justice offers a comprehensive benefits package.