EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Title: Policy Director – Health and Human Services

Location: Olympia, Washington Date: April 24, 2008

Salary: DOQ. The Washington State Association of Counties offers competitive salaries and an excellent employee benefits package.

Contact: Submit cover letter and resume to Eric Johnson, Interim Executive Director, ejohnson@wacounties.org. Open until filled.

Organization Overview

The Washington State Association of Counties (WSAC) is a private not-for-profit corporation that provides legislative advocacy and professional services to member counties in Washington State. WSAC works in conjunctions with its affiliates, including the Association of County Human Services.

The Washington State Association of County Human Services (ACHS) is organized to support county elected officials and staff in the administration, planning, and delivery of human services through statewide coordination, advocacy, program development, and quality management. It is organized into three sections: Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Chemical Dependency.

Position Overview

The Policy Director – Health and Human Services represents WSAC and ACHS before the Legislature, the Executive Branch, regulatory boards and commissions within Washington State on a variety of Health and Human Service issues.

The position is WSAC’s lead staff in Health and Human Services policy development, analysis and advocacy. This full time position works under the direction of WSAC’s Executive Director in consultation with the ACHS Executive Committee.

Primary Responsibilities

• Maintain effective communication and relationships with county elected officials and staff; legislators and legislative staff; executive branch officials and staff; community organizations and other stakeholders;
• As part of the WSAC lobbying team, provide lobbying and coordination on legislative issues and policies as guided by the WSAC Legislative Steering Committee (LSC) including testifying before legislative committees, participating in legislative task forces and work groups, and bill and amendment drafting;

· Advise the WSAC Legislative Steering Committee, county official and ACHS members on Health and Human Service public policy issues and strategies.

· Assist in the recruitment and staffing for county officials appointed to serve on statewide boards and commissions.

· Assure WSAC and ACHS have effective communications and collaborative relationships with key partners including Department of Social and Health Services (Division of Developmental Disabilities, Mental Health Division, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse) and other state agencies and community organizations;

· Participate with the ACHS Executive Committee in the development and implementation of goals and objectives

· Build and maintain effective relationships with ACHS members and members including county coordinators, Regional Support Network Administrators, and associated state partners.

· Provides staff support and information including legislative and advocacy training to the ACHS Executive Committee, and members including county coordinators and Regional Support Network Administrators and other sections of county government as necessary;

· Supports the recruitment and retention of ACHS members

· Works in conjunction with the Managing Director for the Washington State Association of Local Public Health Officials (WSALPHO) on Public Health issues and the leadership of WSALPHO.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor or Masters Degree from an college or university with a degree in business administration, public administration, social and health services, political science or related field;
• Three or more years of professional related experience in legislative relations, public policy research, analysis and/or development. Or any equivalent combination of education, experience, and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Knowledge of state and local government operations including statutes, funding, organization, functions, and issues.
• Strong knowledge of legislative operation, processes and organization including revised code of Washington, Washington administrative code and other applicable policies;
• Experienced with Microsoft Office products: Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint.
• Strong analytical skills necessary to develop work plans, position papers, and interpret statute and proposed legislation;
• Ability to create strategic direction, goals, objectives, and action plans.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. Must be capable of working independently with minimum supervision.