Director for Education

Company Description The New York State Catholic Conference represents the Bishops of New York State in working with government to shape laws and policies that advance social justice, respect for life, and the common good. The Conference serves as a unified voice for the eight dioceses of the state on issues including education, family life, respect for life, health care, poverty, social services, criminal justice, and the environment. It applies the principles of Catholic social teaching to critical public policy questions and legislative debates. The organization also promotes civic engagement by encouraging individuals and communities to participate actively in the legislative process. Candidates should be comfortable working in an environment guided by Catholic values and social teaching.

The Catholic Conference is located in Albany, N.Y., where this position is based.

General Responsibilities

The Director for Education for the New York State Catholic Conference is responsible for the development and implementation of the elementar and secondary education-related goals and objectives of the NYS Bishops and the NYS Council of Catholic School Superintendents. The Director also serves as the Executive Secretary of Council of Catholic School Superintendents and, as such, is directly responsible for the coordination and management of the Council.

The Director for Education reports to the Executive Director of the Conference and performs other Conference-related duties as assigned by the Executive Director. 

The Director of Education is a New York State registered lobbyist of the NYS Catholic Conference, advocating on behalf of the state's Catholic schools and education-related issues.

Specific Duties

• Advocates directly before New York’s Executive Branch and Legislature; the NYS Board of Regents; the NYS Education Department and other state departments, offices and agencies; New York State’s Congressional Delegation; and the U.S. Department of Education on the education priorities of the Bishops and Catholic school superintendents.
• Monitors, analyzes, and influences legislative proposals as well as public policies and programs affecting elementary and secondary education, particularly as it relates to Catholic schools.
• Serves as an active member of the New York State Coalition for Independent and Religious Schools and coordinates the Catholic Conference’s public policy advocacy efforts with coalition partners and related education organizations. 
• Initiates and implements education-related projects of the Bishops and the Council of Catholic School Superintendents.
• Represents the Council and the Conference on various committees, task forces, etc., and at various public and private functions and meetings.
• Researches and writes reports and memoranda relating to Council and Conference issues and activities.
• Prepares clear and persuasive testimony and other presentations for public forums, including government hearings, and articulates and advances the contributions, values, needs, and interests of Catholic education in a variety of forums, including with the media as directed by the Executive Director.

Qualifications

• Strong communications and organizational skills
• Ability to work independently
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Appreciation of and ability to be conversant in Catholic social teaching
• Working knowledge of the Catholic Church and a familiarity with Catholic elementary and secondary education
• Thorough understanding and familiarity with the legislative, executive and judicial branches of state and federal government
• Excellent relationship-building skills
• Willingness to travel both in state and out of state

Education and Experience

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution.
• Significant experience working in state or around state or federal government or in Catholic education. Education policy experience is strongly preferred.
• Because the Catholic Conference is an office of the New York State Catholic Bishops, the successful candidate must have an appreciation for and willingness to articulate all of the positions of the Bishops on various issues, especially as they relate to Catholic education. This includes the moral teachings of the Church, as expressed and taught in our Catholic schools.

Benefits/Hours:

The Catholic Conference offers competitive salary and benefits package, including health/dental/life insurance, generous paid time off, traditional pension plan. This full-time (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) position is envisioned as 80/20 in office/WFH, although it requires regular attendance at the State Capitol and State Education Department.