Director of Policy and Budget - Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

Who: Metropolitan Water Reclamation District

What: This position is responsible for researching, planning, organizing and interpreting data and information on a range of development policies and programs related to state and local policy and budget priorities that govern daily operations of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). The Position prioritizes the office’s four “Es:” economic health, environmental health, equity, and education when reviewing policies and programs that impact MWRD and the population it serves.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
The following responsibilities are specific to this position.

• Prepare annotated board meeting agendas and submit questions including researching the history of specific agenda items and suggesting alternative legal, environmental or engineering approaches as needed. Request answers from MWRD staff that highlight the office’s priorities.
• Serve as the Commissioner’s point person on budget, finance, policy, and legal issues, including:
• Best practices and recommending deficit reductions.
• Reviewing, analyzing and recommending short and long term budget plans for overall objectives of MWRD and consistent with office priorities.
• Prepare, analyze and interpret budget reports and recommend alternatives to financial policies and plans.
• Oversee legal and policy research to advance office priorities.
• In coordination with chief of staff, maintain relationships with constituents that overlap or are tangential to MWRD mission and purpose.
• This position reports to the chief of staff and commissioner.
• Prepare briefing papers (using standard format) based on issues and initiatives of interest by the office.
• Serve as intake lead and provide research as an underpinning for important advocacy as requested by chief of staff or commissioner.
  

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES: The following responsibilities are intended to ensure an effective team. They reflect all full-time jobs within the office of the commissioner. In coordination with other full-time position in office:

• Prepare memos & internal communication.
• Participating in MWRD Strategic Planning efforts.
• Ensure effective communications with all staff and the commissioner regarding:
• Changes that need to take place to ensure a safe, cooperative and productive work environment.
• Current status of projects and communications, particularly those that require input from other team members.
• The commissioner’s availability generally, and his availability to review and discuss work products.
• Communicate with the commissioner when you believe something is misguided or lacks proper vetting.
• Ensure the office is covered during regular business hours.
• Ensure the commissioner is staffed at all critical activities (board meetings, conversations with officials, etc.
• Help the commissioner build and maintain relationships within and outside MWRD.
• Full-time positions should share specific responsibilities over time to ensure redundancy. That way, with staff departures, skills critical to the office are not lost.
• Constituent responses are required within 24 hours (note, this means an acknowledgement of receipt of constituent communications; substantive responses should be within two weeks).
• Three months’ notice is requested if staff intend to depart.
• Full-time staff should make sure commissioner is prepared for board meetings, including:
• Identifying questions and talking points ahead of time (some to ask staff in advance, some possibly holding until a board meeting).
• Advising commissioner on votes based on policy and constituency outreach.
• Identifying issues for study session and long-term advocacy.
• Performance based on being proactive, responsive, follow-through, taking constructive feedback, & teamwork.
  

REQUIREMENTS
Relevant educational background and experience, such as master’s degree in public administration, Juris Doctor, or a related field, and minimum two years of related experience.

ABOUT MWRD
All positions subject to MWRD personnel laws and policies. MWRD requires that titles for
commissioners’ staff conform to MWRD policies.

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should apply by sending their resume and cover letter to the attention of Dawn Walker,
walkerd@mwrd.org. The position shall remain vacant until filled.

Policy Director for Developmental Disabilities - Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities - Springfield, IL

Policy Director for Developmental Disabilities
Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities

Springfield, IL

As services and supports in Illinois undergo further evolution due to changes to home and community-based services regulations outlined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, IARF is seeking a qualified and motivated individual as Policy Director for Developmental Disabilities. This position will be central to assisting IARF leadership and the Board of Directors establish policy priorities and implementing those priorities.

The Policy Director for Developmental Disabilities will: 

• Move community services into the future. The Policy Director will lead IARF in discussions with state agency staff, legislators, and other stakeholders in advancing ID/DD policy priorities. 

• Join a proactive team. The IARF staff work side by side to assist in developing and implementing the priorities established by the Board of Directors. Our team loves what they do and works together to support IARF as a whole. 

• Receive a strong salary and benefits. The salary of the Policy Director for Developmental Disabilities is commensurate with the experience and expectations of the position. IARF offers excellent benefits, including health and life insurance, paid holidays, paid vacation, sick and personal time, matching 401(k), and flexible benefit plan enrollment.

IARF is seeking candidates with the following backgrounds, experiences, and flexibilities: 

• Two – five years working in healthcare or human services policy development and/or implementation. 

• A Master’s degree in public health, health administration, social work, public policy or a related field is preferred, but not required. 

• Proven record of advancing public policies; and 

• Flexibility to travel to national conferences, Chicago, Springfield, and Washington, D.C. as needed.

NOTES:
Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with experience and expecations of the position.

About Illinois Association of Rehabilitation FacilitiesThe Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities (IARF) is Illinois’ leading trade association advocating on behalf of community-based services and supports for children and adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities and mental illnesses. For over 30 years, IARF has been the voice of community-based services to state and federal governments. As the provision of services and supports have changed during this timeframe, so have our efforts evolved to ensure providers are active stakeholders in system changes

Director of Policy, Center for Community Progress - Washington, D.C.

Director of Policy

Center for Community Progress

Apply

Washington, DC

JOB TITLE: Director of Policy                                      

DATE: March 26, 2015                         

REPORTS TO: President/CEO                                    

BASED IN: Washington, DC Office

                                                                                        

JOB SUMMARY

The Center for Community Progress seeks an innovative and knowledgeable Director of Policy to develop, launch, and manage an active policy education and issue advocacy program focused on state and federal policy related to neighborhood stabilization and revitalization through the prevention and reuse of vacant, abandoned, and problem properties. The Director of Policy will work closely with staff responsible for local and state technical assistance engagements, leadership and education programming, research initiatives, and communications.

DUTIES AND ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Monitor and analyze federal and state policy and legislative developments related to community development and revitalization, with a particular focus on blight prevention and vacant property reclamation;
• Work with program staff to develop an organizational policy agenda and organizational positions on key policy issues related to blight and vacancy; develop supporting materials, including issue briefs, factsheets, talking points, blogs, op-eds and other resources;
• Work closely with program staff and other partners to track and analyze vacancy-related trends, assess the need for policy or legislative solutions at the federal or state level, and work with partners to identify or develop proposed solutions;
• Build key strategic partnerships and relationships, including with Congressional and Executive offices, and national nonprofit partners, to support policy, outreach, education, and reform efforts at the federal level;
• Identify opportunities for policy reforms in target states and work with state and local partners to build, inform, and/or sustain state-level coalitions around these reforms;
• In collaboration with communications staff, organize and execute awareness raising campaigns around key policies related to blight and vacancy;
• In collaboration with other program staff, support a consortium of state policy advocates.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated commitment to public and community service with an enthusiasm for Community Progress’s mission;
• Knowledge of and prior work experience related to the challenges facing America’s cities as they relate to blight prevention, vacant properties, land reuse and revitalization;
• Familiarity with and understanding of federal and state legislative processes;
• Strategic thinker with ability to identify, prioritize and leverage opportunities for engagement;
• Excellent analytical and communication skills; ability to make complex information accessible to a wide variety of audiences;
• Excellent writing skills;
• Ability to multitask and manage stress well in a fast-paced environment with frequently shifting priorities;
• Strong relationship-building skills and track record;
• Sharp attention to details as well as an appreciation for the big picture;
• Awareness of the federal, state, and local policies that have historically contributed to a concentration of vacancy, abandonment, and blight in underserved communities;
• Commitment to nonpartisanship and a demonstrated ability to collaborate with individuals, groups and policymakers with opposing points of view and diverse political perspectives.

REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of five (5) years of experience in policy development, education or advocacy, campaign development, and/or coalition building with at least two (2) years working on policies related to neighborhood stabilization or prevention and reuse of vacant properties.

PREFERRED

• Master’s degree in public policy or related field and a minimum of three (3) years working on policies related to neighborhood stabilization or prevention and reuse of vacant properties.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit a cover letter (including salary expectations), resumé, writing sample, and at least three references via e-mail to Leah Landes at llandes@communityprogress.net. Applications must be received by April 17, 2015.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

The Center for Community Progress is an equal opportunity employer.