The National Association of the Deaf (NAD), as the nation’s premier organization safeguarding the civil, human, and linguistic of deaf and hard of hearing Americans, invites applications for a Policy Counsel/Advisor position within the NAD Law and Advocacy Center. This position will focus primarily on policy issues affecting deaf and hard of hearing people.
The principal mission of the NAD Law and Advocacy Center is to represent the NAD across a broad range of civil rights and discrimination issues including education, early intervention, employment, healthcare, rehabilitation, technology, telecommunications as well as access to public entities and accommodations.
Key Responsibilities
The responsibilities of the Policy Counsel/Advisor include, but are not limited to:
- Document positions on important issues where they are known and develops positions where these are not yet known, working closely with the NAD Law and Advocacy Center and particularly the NAD CEO.
- Provide the NAD Law and Advocacy Center with opinions and advice on policy issues.
- Conduct research and analysis of specific legal and policy questions, and prepare memoranda, opinions, and position statements as necessary.
- Keep abreast of the latest trends affecting the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing people.
- Discuss and strategize on the latest updates with the NAD CEO, and share these updates with the community.
- Coordinate and collaborate with other organizations and individuals to advance the NAD interests in support of its mission, vision, values, and strategic goals.
- Interface with government agencies, Congress, coalitions, media, and businesses on all issues affecting deaf and hard of hearing individuals, with heavy emphasis on working with the FCC on captioning, relay, emergency communications, and other issues.
- Represent the NAD at conferences, on advisory committees and panels, and through presentations.
- Identify and pursue opportunities for growth through grants and other funding.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the CEO.
Experience and Qualifications
Applicants must possess the following:
- Demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of issues related to the advancement of the civil, human and linguistic rights of deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
- Knowledge of federal legislative and government policy issues that impact deaf and hard of hearing individuals.
- Excellent writing and research skills strong analytic capabilities, and demonstrated ability to analyze legislative and administrative policy.
- Strong working knowledge of constitutional issues, including legislative, regulatory, and policy-making processes and other issues involving civil liberties and civil rights.
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree preferred.
- Significant legal and policy experience preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work independently, as well as within a team.
- Proactive in identifying areas of need and diligent in completing tasks pursuant to deadlines.
- Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) required.
The NAD, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package and flexible work environment. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Deadline: May 25, 2015
Applicant cover letter, resume, three references, and three writing samples must be emailed to [email protected] by 12:00 PM EST on May 25, 2015.
The NAD is an EEO/AA employer. For more information about the NAD, visit www.nad.org.