Advocacy Coordinator

Organization Overview:

The Arc of Texas (The Arc) envisions a world where Texans with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are included in their communities, where quality supports and services are available to meet their needs and choices.

The Arc creates opportunities for all Texans with IDD to actively participate in their communities and make the choices that affect their lives. Since our founding in 1950, The Arc at the local, state, and national level has been instrumental in the creation of virtually every program, service, right, and benefit that is now available to over one million Texans with IDD.

Today, The Arc is primarily a public policy and advocacy organization that continues to advocate for including people with IDD in all aspects of society.

Position Summary:

The Advocacy Coordinator (“the Coordinator”) supports The Arc’s Public Policy & Advocacy (PPA) team in advancing legislative and systems change efforts on behalf of Texans with IDD and their families. This position plays a key role in helping coordinate advocacy activities, supporting communication with local chapters and advocates, and assisting with legislative engagement efforts during session and interim periods. The role also helps prepare and support self-advocates and families to share their voices with policymakers, while strengthening grassroots advocacy across the state.

This position will report to The Arc of Texas’ Director of Public Policy & Advocacy.

The ideal candidate:

· Passion for disability rights, grassroots advocacy, and advancing policies that support Texans with IDD and their families.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with self-advocates, families, local chapters, policymakers, and community partners`.

· Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple projects, coordinate events and meetings, and maintain strong follow-through in a fast-paced environment.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

Support the overall public policy and advocacy activities of The Arc to advance its mission, policies, and positions.

· Provide ongoing administrative, logistical, and technical support to the Public Policy and Advocacy (PPA) team in advancing The Arc of Texas’ policy priorities and advocacy initiatives.

· Assist in drafting advocacy communications, including legislative newsletters, action alerts, advocacy materials, social media content, and other communications relevant to the IDD community and The Arc of Texas network.

· Coordinate planning and logistics for legislative advocacy events, including “Meet the Arc Day” at the Texas Capitol during legislative sessions and “Tour Across Texas” advocacy trainings conducted across local chapter regions during the interim.

· Conduct outreach and ongoing coordination with local chapters, self-advocates, families, and grassroots advocates to strengthen statewide advocacy engagement.

· Assist the PPA team in coordinating and supporting self-advocates participating in legislative advocacy activities at the Texas Capitol, including testimony, legislative visits, and hearings.

· Represent The Arc of Texas at conferences, community events, coalition meetings, and local chapter visits across the state, as assigned.

· As assigned, assist with conducting basic advocacy trainings and presentations for self-advocates, family members, and local chapters on legislative advocacy, and public policy issues affecting Texans with IDD.

Help ensure Local Chapters, members, and other stakeholders are informed and involved in policy decisions and advocacy efforts.

· Serve as a liaison between the PPA team, the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee (PPAC), local chapters, and other stakeholders regarding policy issues, legislative developments, advocacy opportunities, and organizational initiatives.

· Provide administrative and coordination support for the Public Policy and Advocacy Committee (PPAC), including facilitating communication between the PPAC and PPA team, developing meeting agendas and materials, scheduling meetings, distributing meeting invitations, and supporting overall committee operations.

· Assist advocates connected to The Arc of Texas in preparing for legislative testimony, public comment opportunities, legislative visits, and participation in state agency advisory committees and stakeholder meetings.

· Help facilitate and empower self-advocates, family members, and allies to participate in legislative advocacy and public policy engagement efforts.

Other duties as assigned by the Director of Public Policy & Advocacy and CEO.

Qualifications for the Care Management Coordinator:

· Strong organization and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

· Flexible and responsive to changing needs, including supporting events and legislative activities as needed.

· Strong communication skills, including writing, public speaking, and representing an organization in meetings, events, and with external partners.

· Collaborative and team-oriented, with the ability to contribute ideas, follow through on tasks, and support shared goals.

· Comfortable working in complex or high-pressure environments that require sound judgment and professionalism.

· Connection to disability community and/or experience working with underserved populations, particularly people with disabilities and families preferred but not required.

Educational and Professional Requirements:

· Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university preferred.

· Prior work with individuals with disabilities and families is preferred.

Working Conditions:

· The Advocacy Coordinator must be located in the Austin metropolitan area (where The Arc’s office is located) within their first 60 days of employment.

· Approximately 20 coworkers in relatively close quarters.

· Approximately 25% of this job will take place remotely, with approximately 50% occurring in-office, and 25% in community-based settings (e.g., committee hearings at State Capitol, public meetings at state agency, etc.).

· Occasional weekend or night work is required. During legislative session (every two years), extra night and weekend work may be required.

Compensation and Benefits:

The Arc values its employees, and as such, strives to offer a competitive total compensation package which includes both cash compensation and benefits.

This position is eligible to participate in the following benefits:

· Employer sponsored health and dental insurance

· Retirement plan benefits and employer matching up to 5%

· Paid leave:

* Eighteen (18) days of vacation leave each year (5.54 hours accrued per pay period)

* Twelve (12) days of sick leave each year (3.69 hours accrued per pay period)

· Employer paid long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance benefits

· The Arc observes sixteen (16) days of holiday which includes a weeklong winter break

Salary Range: $45,000 - $55,000 annually (commensurate with experience)

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job and is not a guarantee of employment. This document is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements. Nothing in this job description restricts The Arc’s right to reasonably assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to/from this position at any time. Texas is an “employment-at will” state; therefore, employment as a team member of The Arc is considered to be “at-will” and may be terminated by you or the employer at any time. The Arc provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics, gender identity, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Application Process

To apply, please email your resume, cover letter, and professional references to accounting@thearcoftexas.org with the subject line “Advocacy Coordinator”.

Recruitment agency inquiries will not be considered. Applicants who are applying with accommodations will receive individual instructions and assistance.

No phone calls or recruiter solicitations. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.

People with disabilities, BIPOC individuals, Spanish speakers, and members of other marginalized communities are strongly encouraged to apply. If you require accommodations to effectively participate in the application process, please email accounting@thearcoftexas.org or call 1-800-252-9729.

Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 403(b)
• 403(b) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Austin, TX 78754