Director of Government Relations and External Affairs (9954)

About the Organization:

The Arc Prince George’s County serves more than 600 individuals with disabilities through a variety of programs, services and supports. Our primary areas of support are community living, family and personal supports, employment services, and day programs - all with an emphasis on person-centered community involvement and inclusion. To learn more about us, please visit  www.thearcofpgc.org .

Position Summary Statement:

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Director of Government Relations and External Affairs will advocate and promote the agency, and IDD causes through outreach initiatives. The director plays a key role in collaborating with internal and external stakeholders. Collaborate closely with the Marketing department and with the Director for Family, Education and Community Engagement to support and leverage identified priorities.

The ideal candidate will be skilled at developing and articulating the agency’s priorities for internal and external stakeholders. This person will work to gain buy-in and engagement with more community partners – forming collaborations and partnerships through MOUs.  Acts with a sense of urgency in most tasks, is highly self-motivated, independent, and professional, has a high level of integrity and is self-directed. This person can manage their workload and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.  Outstanding analytical and communication skills are essential; This position has no direct reports.

Essential Functions:

- Join the CEO in critical and strategic meetings to coordinate follow-up activities.

- Attend community meetings and events with the CEO to support engagement or attend in the CEO’s stead.

- Participates in and coordinates with the following groups:

Prince George’s County Adults with Developmental Disabilities Citizen Advisory (ADDCAC)

- Special Education Advisory Committee (SECAC)

- Prince Georg’s County Commission for Individuals with Disabilities

- Prince George’s Provider Council

- Parks and Recreation

- Assist the CEO in engaging government leaders and nurturing relationships with industry associations, influential policy institutes, opinion leaders, and external stakeholders

- Meets with key legislators in Annapolis once a year; Aims to host at least one elected leader for a tour at The Arc, quarterly

- Follow-up on key opportunities and next steps with elected leaders

- Pulls from the CEO’s emails to follow-up on next steps

- Coordinates and organizes our organization’s efforts for DD Day, Calendar Day and organizes joint information sessions with partners/collaborators

- Supports expansion activities as needed

- Help lead advocacy campaigns often in coalition with other stakeholders – in furtherance of the agency

- Collaborate closely with The Arc US in national strategies

- Builds and reports out on opportunities to improve supports for students with special needs

- Supports The Arc advocacy and governmental affairs committees

- Coordinates activities with our lobbyist and serves as the point of contact

- Meets with each county council member at least once a year

- Meets with key school board members at least once per year

- Support the goal of ensuring all parents of children with special needs knows what critical services we have to offer them.

Work with PGCPS to get communication out to parents and students more broadly so they can be kept informed of events and helpful information, resources and supports.

- Coordinate at least 2 speaking opportunities per year for key Arc staff, position them as experts in the market and raising our brand awareness

- Hosts a minimum of two tours with key partners and stakeholders per year

- Supports the Prince George’s County self-advocacy group in collaboration with the Prince George’s Provider Council in any way required to grow participation and have a relevant impact (i.e. recruiting, training and deploying more self-advocates)

Grow the number of parents available to testify to a roster of 20 with a focus on younger parents

- Grow the number of self-advocates available to testify to a roster of 10

- Disseminates pertinent information to the disability community and promotes agency events to enhance participation.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree in related field, strongly desired.

- Experience with people with special needs or developmental disabilities, desired.

- Seven or more years working in the Human Service/ IDD field, desired.

- Solid understanding of IDD needs from infancy to adulthood.

- Strong relationship-building skills, and the ability to leverage relationships strategically in a professional capacity.

- Strong advocacy skills.

- Capable of articulating a compelling and convincing vision of agency objectives to internal and external stakeholders.

- Reputation for fostering strong, durable relationships with government officials and staff.

- Strong sense of accountability, integrity, and ability to handle highly visible responsibilities.

- Creative and critical thinking with some analytical ability is required to gather and summarize data for reports, find solutions to various problems, and prioritize work.

- This job requires routine travel throughout Prince George’s County and the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

- The employee must have a valid driver’s license

- Proficiency with Microsoft office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

Total Rewards:

The Arc offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, to include medical, dental and vision plans. A 403(b) retirement plan w/ employer match, tuition reimbursement, benevolence program, paid holidays, generous paid time-off, paid training, company paid life insurance, and much more!