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About the Role

The Policy Specialist will serve as the in-house expert on assigned issues, leading the agency’s policy advocacy to improve the lives of persons with disabilities. This role involves supporting case handlers, conducting research, writing reports, providing training, monitoring legislative actions, and communicating with stakeholders. The ideal candidate will be a confident public figure, ready to present information, serve on advisory boards, and act as a vocal leader for the team and Disability Rights Texas.

Responsibilities

Serve as the in-house expert on assigned issues and lead policy advocacy.
Support case handlers with training and technical assistance.
Collaborate with team members to identify policy advocacy opportunities.
Conduct policy research and write policy reports.
Provide internal and external training on related issues.
Monitor and report on legislative and administrative agency actions.
Respond to requests for information and provide public testimony.
Prepare and disseminate comprehensive communications to stakeholders.
Address interested parties in oral presentations and written communications.
Participate and lead in workgroups, advisory boards, task forces, and committees.
Work with local, state, and national organizations, agencies, legislators, and public officials.
Draft the agency’s annual grant reports.
Assist other teams with subject matter areas as needed.
Master technical information of applicable program areas and relevant statutes and policies.
Identify major issues and priorities and coordinate information for distribution.
Serve as Coordinator for the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI) program.
Communicate, instruct, and educate fellow employees and coordinate information flow.
Develop and update a written plan within organization’s priorities.
Present public statements of the organization’s positions.
Maintain effective communications and develop cooperative working relationships with external entities.
Review publications and circulate pertinent information to stakeholders.
Develop materials for and conduct education and training presentations.
Coordinate annual planning and reporting for programs and priorities.
Attend legislative sessions to monitor and report on activity.
Research and review legislative materials and incorporate information into communications.
Track relevant legislation and educate policymakers on its impact.
Ensure training curriculums and public information align with state and federal laws.
Contribute information to annual program reports.
Monitor compliance with federal and state laws.
Participate in strategic planning and implementation of activities.
Work closely with staff and stakeholders to coordinate training and policy activities.
Collaborate with other issue teams.
Travel as needed to provide services and training.
Prioritize tasks and multi-task numerous responsibilities in a timely manner.
Establish personal credibility throughout the organization.
Contribute to the development and implementation of the organization’s outreach plan.
Communicate effectively with employees, clients, and the public.
Maintain thorough and complete records.
Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Apply the organization’s vision and values in all work-related business and interactions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Public Policy, Political Science, Government, Education, Disability Studies, Social Service or other related field of study.
A minimum of seven (7) years previous public policy focused experience with demonstrated success working with persons with disabilities.
A Masters degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Government, Disability Studies, Social Service or other related field of study may be substituted for up to six (6) years of experience, depending on degree and subject matter.
A JD (licensed or not) may be substituted for up to seven (7) years of experience.
A Doctorate degree may be substituted for up to eight (8) years of experience, depending on degree and subject matter.
Successful completion of a full-time fellowship/intern position for a minimum of a year, that focuses on disability policy, may be substituted for up to 2 years of public policy focused experience.
Strong and effective writing, verbal, and negotiating communications skills including the ability to do so in a concise manner, even when doing so regarding complex issues to a variety of people.
Demonstrated experience in public speaking and developing effective presentations for the public, as well as Boards, Councils, Conferences, and/or legislative testimony.
Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and collaboration skills to be able to work effectively with others inside and outside of the organization.
Proven ability to lead, mentor and train others.
Experience working with governmental entities.
Demonstrated functional knowledge of complex state and federal laws, rights protection statutes and regulations.
Knowledge of state and national election and voting laws, programs, initiatives and awareness of other issues that affect people with disabilities.
The ability to take direction and independently follow through on all instructions.
The ability to create collaboration among stakeholders and other disability groups.
Excellent detail-orientation, follow-up skills and organizational skills plus the ability to multi-task and work under challenging conditions while meeting deadlines.
Knowledge and skills to appropriately implement policy strategies.
Demonstrated ability to manage individual workload so services are delivered timely and appropriately.
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
High level of commitment to service excellence, plus high degrees of integrity, ethics and judgment are a must.

Skills

Public policy expertise
Policy advocacy
Training and technical assistance
Policy research
Report writing
Public speaking
Legislative monitoring
Communication (oral and written)
Stakeholder engagement
Interpersonal skills
Relationship building
Collaboration
Leadership
Mentoring
Governmental relations
Legal knowledge (state and federal laws, rights protection statutes and regulations)
Knowledge of election and voting laws
Organizational skills
Multi-tasking
Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Service excellence
Integrity
Ethics
Judgment
Data analytics (preferred)
R (preferred)
GIS (preferred)

Location

Austin, Texas

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

7+ years of public policy experience

Education Level

Bachelor's degree
Master's degree (may substitute for experience)
JD (may substitute for experience)
Doctorate degree (may substitute for experience)

About the Company

The IRCL team serves persons with mental illness living in institutions and the community, persons with intellectual disabilities living in State Supported Living Centers or other publicly funded large facilities, or who have recently transitioned to the community, and persons with mental illness and/or intellectual disabilities in jails, prisons, and juvenile justice facilities.
Services include community integration and prevention of institutionalization, abuse and neglect investigations, advocacy around rights violations, and guardianship restoration.
Disability Rights Texas (DRTx) is seeking candidates for a Policy Specialist role.