At the Alzheimer’s Association we are the brains behind saving yours.  Many of us who work for the Alzheimer’s Association have some connection with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. It’s what drives us to make the extra effort in the daunting task of modifying a disease that currently has no cure. With 78 million baby boomers entering the age of greatest risk for Alzheimer’s, we need passionate, hardworking people committed to helping the Association meet the increasing demand for care and support and fund vital Alzheimer’s research.

Why join us? We have been recognized as a Best Nonprofit to Work For by the Nonprofit Times seven consecutive years.

The Manager of Public Policy directs and manages (1) local, state, and federal advocacy efforts in the state; and (2) state-level governmental affairs efforts.  This position exists to serve as the principal staff for grassroots advocacy efforts and government affairs in Nebraska.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Plan and implement all grassroots and grassroots advocacy activities focusing on federal, state, and local leaders.
• Recruit, train, and facilitate efforts of advocates, including Alzheimer’s Association Ambassadors and their team members for members of Congress and state-level Association Champions for state legislators.
• Manage year-round state policy grassroots advocacy activities, including office visits and correspondence, including electronic correspondence.
• Mobilize advocates on federal issues in coordination with the D.C. Public Policy Office, including ensuring timely and effective response to policy developments by advocates.
• Work with advocates to promote the Association’s federal and state policy priorities in earned and social media.
• Plan and implement Alzheimer’s Advocacy Day at the state capitol, including recruiting advocates and coordinating their activities.
• Recruit and coordinate volunteer advocates to attend the Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C. and to engage in pre- and post-Forum district office meetings.
• Plan and implement town halls/community events with members of the state’s congressional delegation.
• Oversee the development of public policy priorities at the state level in collaboration with other relevant chapter staff and the national public policy office.
• Develop the strategy – and oversee all efforts and activities – to achieve the state-level public policy priorities, including working with the state legislature and state agencies, including the public health department, as appropriate.
• Serve as the Association’s chief professional lobbyist and face of the Association in Lincoln Nebraska by developing relationships with state legislators and other relevant government officials and by lobbying for the state policy priorities.
• Monitor committee meetings and legislative action during the state legislative session as well as between sessions.
• Build, develop, and work with, where appropriate, alliances with similar organizations, coalitions, committees, task forces, etc. in order to advance issues of importance to the Association at the state level.
• Engage chapter staff and board members in advocacy activities.
• Provide a periodic update of relevant state and federal legislative matters to Association staff in the state, chapter boards, Ambassadors, Alzheimer’s Champions, and other advocates.
• Represent the chapter at public forums, conferences, state task forces, government agencies, etc. on public policy issues as needed.
• Support and participate in chapter events such as Walk to End Alzheimer’s, as requested.
• Promote and assist advocate volunteers in the promotion of the Association’s 501(c)(4) advocacy arm – the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM).
• Provide necessary training and materials for staff and volunteers at all chapter events to recruit advocates and members of AIM.
• Assist and collaborate with the Director of Programs to ensure legislators, legislative staff, and other government officials have an understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and are aware of the programs and services the Association provides to meet the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, their families, and their caregivers.
• Assist and collaborate with the Director of Communications to coordinate media outreach that promotes the Association’s state and federal policy priorities, including through press releases, letters to the editor, and other earned media events.
• Assist and collaborate with the Director of Development as necessary and appropriate to achieve chapter mission and goals, including community/development events.
• Manage advocacy database, including by ensuring advocates are reporting activities and contacts with federal and state officials.
• Track and report activities to ensure compliance with federal and state lobbying laws.
• All other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience.
• At least 5 to 7 years experience working in grassroots advocacy, volunteer management, or community organizing, preferably with non-profit organizations and/or working in state-level government affairs or with a state legislature.
• Have current contacts within the state legislature and executive branch, and with potential partners and collaborators.
• Political or issue advocacy campaign experience desired.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse populations with a high level of integrity, diplomacy, and initiative.
• Detail oriented, adaptable, organized and able to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks.
• Ability/willingness to travel frequently across the state, including some evenings and weekends.