Director of Policy & Advocacy - Hybrid

Who We Are

At the Washington Association for Community Health, we bring community health centers together to collaborate and expand access to high-quality health care statewide. We help community health centers navigate state and federal policy, provide evidence-based health care, and problem solve as a group. Our services include workforce development programs, technical assistance and training, and policy advocacy.

The Association is looking for a strong and highly professional individual capable of anticipating issues and addressing opportunities independently and effectively. This team player will hold the utmost standard of compliance and able to navigate communication styles between executive leaders and public leaders.

Position Summary

The Director of Policy & Government Affairs plans, manages, and implements the Association's policy, government affairs, and advocacy programs, representing and elevating the Association's presence before state and federal legislative and administrative bodies within the health and healthcare sectors in Washington. In alignment with WACH's core values of Collaboration, Innovation, Integrity, and Learning, the Director monitors the health policy landscape and addresses issues facing Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and the communities they serve across Washington State.

The Director will manage multiple staff and contractors and work collaboratively across the organization to align policy and advocacy work with the strategic priorities of the organization in service of the mission. This position works closely with the Board of Directors and Association Executive Leadership and serves as accountable staff to its policy committees.

Essential Functions

Policy, Government Affairs & Advocacy

• With support from the CEO, creates and implements a comprehensive, year-round policy, government affairs and advocacy strategy that increases the Association's presence with state and federal leaders, through oversight of all efforts related to advocacy, community organizing, research, and policy analysis initiatives.
• Serves as the primary registered lobbyist for the Association, representing the organization's positions and priorities at state and federal elected offices. Fosters and maintains relationships with key elected officials and relevant state agency leaders and staff.
• Develops and implements the regulatory and legislative agendas of the Association, coordinating with strategic communications and advocacy staff and relevant contractors, supported by the CEO and Committees of the Board of Directors.
• In collaboration with key organizational partners, oversees advocacy efforts including grassroots and grasstops efforts when warranted.
• Coordinates advocacy efforts with the Community Health Network of Washington and other external agencies.
• Develops legislative strategy and oversees coordination of advocacy to support the passage of designated policy priorities that eliminate or reduce barriers to health, employment, education, economic development, and quality of life for members and the communities they serve throughout the state and region.
• Fosters and leverages partnerships for the advocacy and policy strategy, including regional and statewide health and social service organizations as well as national partners and other state Primary Care Associations.

Board Support and Member Engagement

Board Committee Support:
• Supports the Policy Committee and related Subcommittees of the Association's Board of Directors by preparing agendas, developing notes, and ensuring follow-through on all action items.

Member Mobilization & Advocacy:

• Develops strategies for involving members' Boards and staff in advocacy, elevating their voices and those of allies to enhance advocacy efforts at the state and federal level.
• Monitors legislative initiatives and mobilizes local-level and influential stakeholders when warranted.

Supervision and Team Leadership

• Supervises multiple staff with an emphasis on supporting team collaboration, individual mentorship, and professional success.
• Ensures that policy staff engage in ongoing policy environment scanning, assessing new policies that may impact community health centers, and proactively conducting policy analysis.
• Facilitates collaborative agenda-setting and policy analysis with related stakeholders.
• Oversees development of written policy analysis and reports.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in public policy, public health, communications, healthcare administration, or a related field and 5 years of relevant experience; OR
• Master's Degree or J.D. and 2-3 years of relevant experience.
  
  
  Relevant experience includes work in the legislative, political, and/or public policy arena, including experience developing and leading policy and/or legislative strategy, and experience working with elected officials and government agencies. Washington State legislative experience is strongly preferred.
• Eligibility to register as a lobbyist with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission (PDC), or current active registration.
• Strong policy analysis and writing skills.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Experience with principles of public relations, grassroots advocacy, and media advocacy tactics.
• Familiarity or work experience with community health centers, FQHCs, primary health care, and/or public health.
• Established relationships with Washington State Legislature, DSHS, HCA, or related state agencies.

Additional Requirements

• Strong public speaking and communication skills.
• Ability to travel regularly to fulfill position duties, including to the state capitol, partner sites, and evening or weekend events.
• Knowledge of communication and marketing techniques and best practices to develop, write, and place content in a manner relevant to the intended target audience.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office Suite including Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, and Teams.
• Ability to work effectively in a professional team environment, including respect for differences, enthusiasm for collaboration, and appreciation for the critical role everyone plays in project and mission implementation.
• Ability to manage teams across multiple organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, including the ability to adopt the style, tone, and voice appropriate for varied audiences. Proofreading ability.
• An understanding of institutional and structural racism and bias, and their impact on underserved and underrepresented communities.

Work Environment

• Working indoors in an office setting.
• The Association supports hybrid models of work, both in person and remote.
• The hybrid model requires at least 2 days in the office.

Position Information:

FLSA: Full-Time Exempt

Salary Range: $90,402 to $144,602 DOEE. The anticipated hiring range for external candidates is $90,402 - $125,000, with the upper portion of the range reserved for internal advancement and growth.

Location: Hybrid Olympia, WA

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance.
• Life and Long-Term Disability Insurance including supplemental Life Insurance.
• Eleven (11) paid holidays and three (3) Floating Holidays.
• 1.75 Paid Time Off (PTO) days accrued monthly (21 days annually) for the first year of employment (increasing one day per year of employment).
• 403(b) Retirement Plan Employer Contribution (following 90-day new employee probationary period) with three percent (3%) employer contribution).
• Wellness reimbursement.
• Family & Bereavement Leave.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave tax premiums.
• Washington Worker's Compensation Fund tax premiums.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. We reaffirm our collective commitment to a workplace free of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation