Community Policy & Advocacy Specialist (Finance)

Summary:

The Public Policy & Community Advocacy Specialist works within a specific region within MHM's service area to advocate for local public policy initiatives and conduct research that provides valuable insights of local challenges and opportunities to help address and identify access to care and non-medical drivers of health barriers. The specialist accomplishes this by building local relationships and serving as a resource for local elected officials to champion prioritized public policies, strengthening relationships with community-based organizations and local leaders to foster advocacy capacity, co-create solutions, and increase engagement around policy priorities identified in MHM's local and regional strategies.

Salary:

Annual salary rate begins at $66,079.00. Mid range at $82,599.00. Actual starting rate will be commensurate with experience and education.

Essential Duties:

Public Policy & Advocacy:

• Have community awareness by working with local councils of government and local organizations to identify regional needs.
• Enhance community services and programs by gathering local data that generates community insights.
• Support local advocacy training program.
• Represent community needs through a strong presence in local forums.
• Build local relationships and serve as a resource for local elected officials to champion prioritized public policies.
• Support the implementation of local solutions through championing bold initiatives and securing necessary resources to advance policy priorities.
• Convene local partners through community forums to advance public policy by gaining support and visibility on areas of concern and common interest.

Contract Management:

• Provide partner-facing support by sharing local insights and maintaining collaborative relationships with advocacy contractors and partners.
• Serve as a local liaison to advocacy partners to support capacity building and policy alignment, while identifying potential needs for technical assistance or program adjustments.

Program Management and Research & Education:

• Conduct research that identifies local challenges and opportunities and partner with community leaders to propose public policy initiatives and solutions.

Communications & Partnerships:

• Coordinate and communicate with internal MHM departments to educate on the value of public policy and advocacy initiatives.
• Act as a regional public policy resource for external community stakeholders, supporting grassroots mobilization, community-based advocacy initiatives, and sharing locally relevant insights to shape MHM's policy positions.
• Create, nurture and maintain strong relationships with local partners, including elected officials, faith communities, community-based organizations, schools, and other nonprofits.

Operational Excellence:

• Provide community-level insights to inform strategy development, elevate risks and barriers surfaced through local engagement, and contribute to recommendations that improve policy implementation and equity outcomes.
• Perform all other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

Bachelor's degree preferred, with Associate's Degree required, in Public Policy, Public Health, Health Care Administration, Social/Behavioral, Education or Government related fields. Must have a minimum of 1 year of experience in public policy and advocacy at local and/or state levels, with an emphasis on public health, local government and community engagement.

Must have strong analytical and organizational skills. Must have skills to build relationships and to engage with internal and external constituents.

Experience working on behalf of underserved populations and/or specifically addressing disparities that impact the health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities is strongly preferred.

Certificates and Licenses:

None

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervisory responsibilities are not applicable to this role.

Language Ability:

Excellent writing skills required. Ability to write and produce documents for diverse audiences including drafting social media posts with appropriate voice. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret health status and policy briefs, reports, publications, professional journals, and governmental regulations. Ability to interpret and prepare policy positions via white papers and presentations. Ability to speak effectively and respond to questions from diverse audiences. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Reasoning Ability:

Must have critical thinking skills and be able to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Must be able to analyze and interpret a variety of local and state public policies and comprehend implications for populations served by MHM.

Computer/ Industry Skills:

Demonstrates working knowledge of the Internet, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Able to customize toolbars, import and insert graphs, develop spreadsheets and complex reports.

Location/Travel:

Must be able to drive and have access to a vehicle: maintain valid driver's license and auto liability insurance. Must live in a specific region within MHM's service area and be available to travel regionally at least 50% of the time as job duties require and work some evenings/weekends depending on community events.

Other:

• Passion to create change that leads to better lives and healthier communities.
• Capacity to adapt rapidly to changing priorities, objectives, and situations.
• Ability to work in a changing environment and take on tasks at all levels.

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a team member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the team member is exposed to a medical office environment having direct contact with patients and clients. Position necessitates bending, stooping, twisting, turning, walking, climbing step stools, sitting and standing for periods of time. Must be able to lift and maneuver at least 25 pounds.