POSITION SUMMARY:
The California Director of State Affairs serves as the principal staff for state government affairs and chief lobbyist in California, representing the Alzheimer’s Association before California’s legislature, governor, relevant state agencies, community stakeholders and coalitions, and on statewide task forces and work groups. This position is responsible for implementing the Alzheimer’s Association’s coordinated state policy priorities including issues related to Medicaid, long-term care, training standards, aging, and workforce and serves as a registered lobbyist with the state. The Director of State Affairs reports to the Vice President, Public Policy and represents the Alzheimer’s Association's California chapters.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Plan and execute a multi-year state legislative and regulatory agenda with a focus on implementation of the Association's state policy priorities, in collaboration with the Executive Director and the National Public Policy Office in Washington, D.C.
- Draft bills and regulatory language and secure bill sponsors.
- Testify regularly before state legislative committees and train volunteer advocates and other Association staff to provide testimony on behalf of the Association as needed.
- Develop and grow relationships with legislators, state government officials and community stakeholders, ensuring the Association is represented on relevant statewide task forces, workgroups, committees and coalitions.
- Track state legislation utilizing the Association’s approved tracking system and monitor committee meetings and legislative action.
- Report lobbying activities as required and ensure compliance with the Association’s approved lobbying compliance vendor and internal tracking system.
- Lead the planning and execution of the Association’s annual State Advocacy Day event at the state capitol.
- Identify opportunities for grassroots engagement on state issues and assist as needed in the execution of state-level advocacy activities, including coordinating office visits, correspondence, and other activities.
- In consultation with the Vice President, Public Policy, provide regular updates to Association staff in the state, the chapter board, volunteer advocates and to staff in the Association’s National Public Policy Office.
- Collaborate with Association staff across the chapter regularly including Communications, Programs, Health Systems and the Executive Director to advance mission priorities and provide policy expertise.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience
- At least 5 to 7 years experience working in state government affairs setting; as a state legislative staff person; or as policy staff in the governor’s office or relevant state agency, preferably in California.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
- Has current contacts within the state legislature and executive branch, and with potential partners and collaborators in California.
- Understands, and has experience with the legislative, regulatory, and budget process in California.
- Familiar with Medicaid, senior, aging, health, and long-term care issues.
- Demonstrates the ability to anticipate, identify, organize, and analyze public policy opportunities.
- Possess excellent written and oral communications skills.
- Detail-oriented, adaptable, organized and able to successfully manage multiple projects and tasks.
- Proven self-starter with excellent judgment and careful attention to detail.
- Strong negotiation skills.
- Ability to work effectively with diverse populations with a high level of integrity, diplomacy and initiative.
- Supervise the California Advocacy Manager.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license, good driving record, access to a reliable vehicle and proof of automobile insurance.
- Ability/willingness to travel across the state, including some evenings and weekends (up to 15%).
- Travel by car and occasionally by air is required.
- Attend the Association's annual Advocacy Forum in Washington, D.C.
Title: California Director of State Affairs
Position Location: Sacramento, CA, in office and in the capital
Full time: 37.5 hours per week, exempt
Position Grade: 309, starting salary of $95,000-$100,000
Reports To: Vice President, Public Policy
Who We Are:
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
