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Seeking Government Relations Director

Council of Parent Attorneys & Advocates, Inc. (COPAA)

Washington, D.C. Metro Area

The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. (COPAA) is a national non-profit organization of attorneys, advocates, parents, and others dedicated to protecting the educational rights of children with disabilities.  We have members in 47 states and the District of Columbia.  We believe it is important that parents participate in their child’s educational program on a level playing field, and that children receive a high-quality education that prepares them for maximum independence and adult living.  We work to strengthen and protect the legal rights of students with disabilities and their parents, including the rights guaranteed by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other disability laws.  More information about COPAA’s current public policy program may be found at www.copaa.org/publicpolicy/index.php.

We are seeking a Director of Government Relations to join our growing, vibrant organization.  The Director of Government Relations will advocate with Congress and the Department of Education; collaborate with other advocacy organizations on policy issues; build grassroots advocacy; and work to develop public awareness of disability and special-education rights issues.  This is a part-time position. Successful candidate must be able to telecommute and work flexibly and independently via internet from a home office in the Washington, D.C. area, and be able to attend regular meetings during the week in Washington, D.C.

Principal Duties:

The key duties of the Director of Government Relations are as follows:

· Develop relationships with key Congressional members and staff and work with them on relevant legislation and build awareness of disability issues affecting children and parents.

· Develop relationships with the Department of Education and other agencies, advocate with them, and draft comments on proposed regulations.

· Strengthen grassroots advocacy activities by COPAA membership.

· Stay abreast of emerging developments in special education and disability law and track developing disability policy trends as appropriate..

· Implement the public policy goals established by the Board of Directors and Government Relations Committee Co-Chairs.

· Act as COPAA liaison to the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities and other organizations, including attending meetings and participating in other coalition efforts to impact government relations and promote disability rights.  Develop outreach activities targeted toward other organizations and to coalitions to build support for issues of concern to COPAA.

· Coordinate and draft COPAA position statements and comments in collaboration with the Governmental Affairs Committee Co-Chairs and under the direction of the Executive Director.  Draft position papers as needed.

· Promote COPAA’s public policy and issue awareness goals using print, media, and other outlets, including briefings, seminars and symposia.

· Develop issue awareness campaigns to educate the public about special education and disability law-related issues.

· Exercise flexibility in meeting emerging needs and challenges.

· Adhere to the agreed-upon communication schedule of activities and accomplishments with the Executive Director and Government Relations Committee Co-Chairs.

· Other duties consistent with position as directed.

Applicants should have three (3) years of substantial experience in legislative advocacy and working with Congress. We prefer at least two (2) years experience as a Congressional aide or in a similar position, but we will consider an applicant who has other substantial legislative advocacy experience.  We will also consider an applicant who has only 1 year of Congressional experience but has at least 5 years of experience in disability rights advocacy.

For full information about required qualifications and position please review the job description at http://www.copaa.org/news/dgrjob.html.

Qualified applicants are asked to please email letter of application, resume, references, and writing sample (15 page maximum) to Denise Marshall, Executive Director, COPAA, at govrelationsdirector@copaa.org

For further information or questions about the position, contact COPAA Executive Director Denise Marshall at exec@copaa.org

For information about COPAA and our existing public policy program, see www.copaa.org  and www.copaa.org/publicpolicy/index.php