Position Title: Director of Public Policy & Advocacy

Department: Administration

Reports to: Chief Executive Director (CEO)

Status: Full-time/Exempt

Position Summary: 

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer, the Director of Public Policy & Advocacy is responsible for leading and managing the organization’s advocacy efforts. This position will support issues identified, directed, and adopted by the CEO, and the board of directors, to assist the CEO and Clinica Romero influence in City, County, State, Federal matters on policy, budgetary, and regulatory actions that impact Clinic Romero, its patients, and the community we serve. This role promotes FQHC’s and the policies that support them, their patients, and the mission and vision of Clinica Romero among government officials, legislators, and community partners. The position oversees the implementation of grassroots, civic engagement initiatives, and patient support around policy issues directed and approved by the CEO and develops policy related partnerships that allows Clinica Romero to meet strategic goals.

Public Policy Responsibilities:

• In the absence of the CEO, and on a temporary basis, and as his/her discretion, serves as a liaison/point of contact about health related and FQHC related topics with elected and appointed local, state, and national public officials, FQHC staff/leadership.
• Track and monitor proposed legislation of interest to FQHC’s members on the federal, state, and local levels.
• Propose strategies to the CEO to regularly inform key elected official about advocacy work, and patient stories in their districts to reinforce local/state/federal legislative agenda.
• Will identify and fill important knowledge gaps confronting patients, clinicians, and policy makers.
• As determined by CEO, participate and represent Clinica Romero in FQHC associations: National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), California Primary Care Association (CPCA), and Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC).
• Assist the CEO in developing and implementing the organization’s policy agenda at the local, state, and federal level.

• Designs and executes “Clinica Romero Advocacy Day” to promote awareness of health issues and action on local, state, and federal advocacy priorities. This event may coincide with CPCA’s Day at the Capitol in Sacramento, CA.
• Analyze public policy proposals, propose, and draft legislative language for Clinica Romero with CEO approval for potential local, state and federal legislations, working closely with policymakers and their staff.
• Use data in shaping policy messages and align with Clinica Romero goals and mission as directed by CEO.
• Prepares policy papers for the CEO to assist in the communication process with our public statements with the community and media. Components include direct legislative and regulatory advocacy, coordinate advocacy efforts with national, state, and local consortia, political development, third-party alliance development, and grassroots programs.
• Collaborates with public policy/community affairs colleagues (included but not limited to those at medical associations, public health organizations, patient advocacy groups, and government agencies) to create and support policies and issues with mutual impact.
• Advocate for public policies that positively impact FQHCs and their patients, as well as advocate against those policies that affect and affect our patients and community.
• Research, inform, and coordinate Clinica Romero and FQHC efforts around advocacy and public policy.
• Represent Clinica Romero on coalitions, task forces, and work groups to share information relevant to health centers and their patients; coordinate advocacy efforts; strengthen relationships with community partners; and plan for future health care policy and payment efforts.
• Serves as resource to the CEO about relevant news, data and current and proposed public policies and legislative affairs.
• Support the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) legislative and advocacy efforts.
• Assist the CEO to represent the Clinic before state and federal elected and non-elected officials, as well as the media and community at large.
• Participate in state and federal health care payment and system delivery reform efforts.
• Monitor and analyze state and federal legislation and the impact on FQHC’s
• Assure public policy incorporates health care equity.
• Stay up to date on policy topics and trends that are related to increasing healthcare access/services and regulation.
• Provide input on the impact of changes in the policy landscape as it aligns with Clinica Romero priorities.
• Prepare and disseminate policy materials such as policy updates, policy briefs etc.
• Develop and coordinate policy events and grassroots advocacy/campaigns.
• On a temporary basis as assigned by the CEO you will assist on government relations issues
• Other duties as assigned by CEO

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or minimum of five years of experience; or a master’s or higher degree in a related field preferred
• Proficient in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish
• Minimum of five (5) years in public policy, advocacy experience at the national, state, and local level on issues related to health, immigration, and workforce development
• Ability to analyze public policy proposals, including the drafting of legislative language; experience in communicating with high level congressional and executive branch policymakers and staff; the ability to use data in shaping policy messages; and be able to train and knowledgeable of community outreach models
• Experience in coalition-building and working in a team environment; the ability to communicate complex information clearly in writing and in oral presentations to arrange of audiences; and strong organizational and interpersonal skills
• Knowledge of the state and federal legislative and budget processes
• Knowledge of health care policy and finance, with an emphasis on the areas that impact health care safety-net providers
• Knowledge of social drivers of health
• Knowledge of Community Health Center/FQHC regulatory environment
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret legislative proposals and statute
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret regulatory proposals and rules
• Ability to write reports, policy papers, business correspondence, publications, press releases (as needed), and legislative/regulatory inquiries and responses.
• Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to inquiries from Association members, elected officials, government agencies, and the media
• Requires a flexible schedule that include but is not limited to working on evenings, weekends, traveling, last minute assignments, rapid response to written communications, phone calls and text messages.
• Managerial experience, including supervising, dealing with people, reporting, solving conflicts, leadership experience a must