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Position Available: Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs

The American Council of the Blind (ACB) is seeking a Director of Advocacy and Governmental Affairs to work in its national office in Washington, D.C. The primary duties of this position will include:

  • Promoting and developing ACB’s advocacy and legislative agendas;

  • Supervising advocacy and governmental affairs support staff;

  • Recommending actions to be taken and policies to be adopted by ACB;

  • Overseeing the implementation of resolutions adopted at ACB conventions;

  • Responding to requests for information and advice concerning the rights and/or obligations of individuals regarding blindness-related issues, and providing referral to other appropriate sources of assistance;

  • Providing technical assistance to individuals and ACB affiliates pursuing advocacy projects;

  • Representing ACB on advisory committees and consultative bodies seeking organizational input;

  • Drafting proposed bills and rules for presentation to members of Congress, or administrative agencies;

  • Preparing written comments on pending legislation and proposed rules;

  • Presenting oral comments on pending legislation at Congressional committee hearings;

  • Developing and maintaining ongoing working relationships with members of Congress, Congressional staff and agency administrators to promote ACB’s legislative and advocacy agendas;

  • Maintaining cooperative relationships with other disability and civil rights organizations;

  • Preparing articles on legislative, judicial, and administrative developments for ACB publications and ACB Radio;

  • Staffing ACB’s resolutions and environmental access committees;

  • And other duties as assigned by the executive director.

The director of advocacy and governmental affairs reports to the executive director.

The successful candidate must:

  • Be available for frequent travel;

  • Be willing to work evenings and weekends in order to attend meetings with ACB leaders and affiliates;

  • Be a self-starter with excellent organizational skills;

  • Have a minimum of two years experience working with federal legislative and regulatory processes;

  • Have knowledge of service-delivery systems and government programs impacting people who are blind;

  • Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills;

  • Have the ability to move quickly between tasks and respond promptly to deadlines;

  • And demonstrate an ability to locate and understand laws and regulations.

Desirable skills or training include computer literacy, general familiarity with assistive devices used by people who are blind, knowledge and use of braille, and a law degree, or specific disability-related advocacy training. Salary depends upon experience.

Applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and brief writing sample to Governmental Affairs Director Search, American Council of the Blind, 1155 15th Street NW, Suite 1004, Washington, D.C. 20005. Applications may also be submitted by electronic mail sent to [email protected], or faxed to (202) 467- 5085. All applications must be received in the ACB national office by October 15, 2004.