Government Relations Director

Scope of Duties:

The director shall maintain active contact with PVA Government Relations and with all governmental and legislative agencies on veteran’s affairs.  The director shall maintain internal Government Relations and media files and contacts. Reports regularly to the President or Executive Director and the Board of Directors as directed.  The GR Director is also required to maintain all internal and external programs relating to Advocacy, Liaison and Service for veterans benefits and rights, accessibility issues, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to include State, Federal, and local implementing regulations and policies.  The director shall perform additional office administrative support activity as directed and other reasonable duties/assignments relating to the mission of the Gateway PVA.

Requirements / Qualifications:

Candidate must have an undergraduate degree or a minimum of 2 years experience in government affairs or program management.  The incumbent should possess excellent judgment, communication skills, writing skills, analytical skills, and maintain positive diplomacy when dealing with external sources and contacts.  Candidate must understand and have a working knowledge of media and public relations as it relates to government relations and advocacy.  Candidate must be a self-starter with the ability to develop, manage and expand the program.  Candidate must be a team player and be willing to take directions. Candidate must be committed to disability and veterans’ issues.

Candidate must be agreeable to limited travel (trips to Jefferson City and once a year to Washington DC)

Candidate must be willing to subordinate personal political interests for those of the organization.

General Duties:

·   Responsible for exercising day-to-day operation of the Chapter’s Government Relations Program, consisting of legislative and advocacy activities consistent with the mandates established by the National Board of Directors.

·   Establish, develop and maintain the Chapter’s legislative and advocacy program including daily contact with local and regional governments focusing on the needs of paralyzed veterans and people with disabilities.

·   Assist as directed the national organization in efforts addressing federal and state legislative and regulatory actions.

·   Maintain active contact with all regional congressional and governmental representatives on issues related to veteran’s affairs, the Paralyzed Veterans of America and any other legislative area that may affect PVA’s current membership.

·   Present relevant items to the Legislature by testifying at committee hearings and by meeting with Legislators individually.

·      Assist Chapter Volunteer Hospital Liaison Representative and concurrently maintain contact with all VISN 15 facilities, NSO’s, VAVS Representative and Chapter Field Representatives.

·   At the direction of the ED, creates forms that may be used for office related correspondence or documentation with external or governmental agencies or representatives.

·   Develops ‘Advocacy Bulletin’ every other month for distribution to the BOD and regional legislative contacts.

·   Develops a Government Relations column for Chapter newsletter and website.

·   Works with the Executive Director and Chapter President to assist with legislative communication in pursuit of government grants and state grant funding sources as may be necessary.

·   Responsible for familiarization of the Chapter Administrative Manual, National Administrative Guidelines, Chapter Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), organizational Bylaws and other defined rules of the organization.

·      Maintain Chapter media contacts list and social networking contacts. Drafts and distributes press releases, circulates PSAs and updates the associated   components of the website.

·   Has a working familiarity with the Americans with Disabilities Act and can address accessibility concerns with the membership and community at-large.

·      Serves as primary manager/contact, under the Chapter President, of the chapter’s sponsorship of its four federally subsidized accessible housing complexes in St. Louis and Independence, Missouri.

·   Attends all Chapter functions, events, and activities, in a working capacity as directed by the President or ED.

·   Gives updates/reports to the BOD at their monthly meetings.

·   Performs other duties as may be required at the direction of the President or ED.

·   Work from office at least three days per week unless traveling on PVA business.

·   Responsible for maintaining a neat office and workspace.

·   Maintains strict office and external confidentiality.

Knowledge of:

·   Public policy issues especially as they relate to veterans’ issues, veterans’ benefit issues, and disability issues.

·   Principles, practices, and techniques of effective communication.

·   Rules, regulations, and laws related to veterans, benefit issues, and disability issues.

·   Legislative process.

·   Disability advocacy.

Ability to:

·   Use discretion and diplomacy.

·   Work in a team environment, sometimes taking leadership roles.

·   Work with a coalition of other policy and service organizations.

·   Ability of limited in-State and out-of-State travel.

·   Communicate effectively both in written and oral form.

·   Use initiative in advocating disability and veterans issues.

Pay Periods:  Weekly

Mileage and Meals:  Employee, like volunteer Gateway board members, will be reimbursed for job-related mileage exceeding 50 miles one way at the existing Gateway BOD rate. Employee will be reimbursed for meals on trips exceeding the 50 miles one way amount.  All reimbursements must be requested on the BER and/or GPVA Mileage Reimbursement forms and must accompany reimbursable receipts.

Health Insurance:  Assistance with premiums available after 90 days of full-time employment.

• Chapter pays up to $100 monthly for individual coverage for a 20 hour per week employee

Group Life & Accidental:  None

Death & Dismemberment Ins.:  None

Dental Insurance:  None

Retirement Program:  None

Sick Leave:  None

Compensatory Leave:  Provided to employees after pre-approval of the Executive Director. Part-time employees are only eligible after working in excess of 20 hours per week and can only use 50% of the overage up to a maximum of 12 hours.  Comp time must be used within 30 days.

Annual Leave:  None

TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit a resume and letter of interest to:

Chris Blanchard, Executive Director

1311 Lindbergh Plaza Center

St. Louis, MO 63132

Questions concerning the position or terms of employment should be directed toward Chris Blanchard at 314-427-0393. Closing date for application is close of business, Tuesday, November 30, 2021.