Job Description
The Public Policy Director is responsible for building MNA’s public policy influence by developing relationships with lawmakers and other decision-makers in pursuit of incremental strategic goals.
This position requires both formal and informal advocacy with and on behalf of MNA and all registered nurses and healthcare professionals, working with a high degree of autonomy under the direction of the Associate Executive Director of Healthcare Practice, Policy & Strategic Initiatives .
DUTIES - Develop MNA’s Public Policy Agenda – Help MNA nurse-leaders identify public policy priorities related to nursing at the local, state and federal level. Recommend and execute strategies to advance those priorities based on input from nurse leaders, public policy makers, key staffers and subject matter experts. In coordination with MNA’s Legislative Director, initiate legislation where appropriate, and proactively develop positions on legislation (potential and actual) initiated elsewhere. Monitor legislation and regulations for potential implications regarding nursing, patients, health care, labor or working families.
- Enhance MNA’s Visibility – Serve as one of MNA’s state-registered lobbyists. Attend meetings and hearings as necessary and provide written or verbal testimony as needed. Maintain and strengthen a network of contacts and relationships with policymakers and external organizations. Communicate MNA policy priorities and positions through formal and informal channels, including representing MNA on external committees and workgroups, making presentations to external audiences, and representing MNA policy positions to the press.
- Coordinate MNA Electoral Campaigns – Lead MNA’s candidate screening process in order to make nonpartisan endorsement recommendations in targeted federal, state, and local races. Help candidates navigate the MNA endorsement process as appropriate. Identify targeted electoral campaigns with MNA locals as well as other labor and community allies.
- Engage Nurses in the Legislative and Political Process – Advise the Council on Legislation and Public Policy as well as the MNA PAC Board, attending calls and meeting and helping to shape the agenda. Collaborate with other MNA staff to provide individual and group training on advocacy, grassroots lobbying and political action, with special attention to opportunities such as organizational lobby days.
- Media and Message Development – In collaboration with the MNA communications team, take a lead role in developing messaging strategy and communications materials regarding all aspects of public policy. Produce talking points, press releases, social media content and other materials as needed.
- Reporting – Develop tracking and reporting mechanisms for the duties assigned above. Work with other members of the MNA team to ensure that the policy agenda, legislative progress, and political priorities are communicated in a timely way to members. Review the semi-annual Lobbying Report before it is filed with the Secretary of State.
- Other duties as assigned.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE - A bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, communications, or related field is required.
- A minimum of seven years of experience in legislative or political advocacy, with a minimum of three years of experience in the role of a registered lobbyist or in an equivalent lead government affairs position, preferably within a labor organization.
- Demonstrated experience in drafting legislation.
- A commitment to the goals and values of the labor movement.
Job Tags
Full time, Local area,