Job Description:
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disaster and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies. It does this through services that are consistent with its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The American Red Cross is the foremost volunteer emergency service organization in the United States with more than 590 chapters nationwide.
We are currently seeking an External Relations Officer to work in our Princeton, NJ office.
The External Relations Officer manages and develops the government relations and advocacy program at the state and local levels. Partners with the ARC state relations representatives (SRRs) and NHQ to mobilize staff and volunteers in government relations outreach initiatives. The External Relations Officer monitors legislative, regulatory and community affairs activities to include outreach to community-based stakeholder groups and key decision makers. Ensures regular communication with the Division Vice President, ARC NHQ Government Relations staff and SRRs. The External Relations Officer works closely with ARC NHQ Government Relations staff and SRRs in identifying and articulating ARC positions. Provides and receives information regarding current legislative/regulatory activities, program funding and emerging issues of interest.
Specific Responsibilities: Under “grey sky” conditions for disaster response, the External Relations Officer will lead the external relations function, supervising support staff in disaster fundraising and communications.
Responsibilities:
1.Government Relations: Represents all region(s) in building government relations in the assigned state. Cultivates and maintains relationships with state and local elected officials to increase awareness of Red Cross services within their districts. Attends hearings and official government functions in the region as well as state, as needed.
a. Grassroots Advocacy: Develops relationships across ARC lines of business and the nonprofit community in order to advance legislation at the state level. Maintains working relationships with other nonprofits, public policy and advocacy groups to advance the ARC brand.
b. Presence: Drafts and delivers testimony with the assistance of NHQ Government Relations for legislative hearings. Develops briefing papers and research projects to advance government relations at the local and state levels. Creates position papers, talking points and other documents in concert with NHQ to advance key legislative and regulatory positions.
c. Outreach: Works closely with the SRRs in supporting outreach activities to state and local officials to advance the ARC’s brand; Participates on SRR calls. Ensures the designated DVP is engaged and aware of such activities. Creates a Government Relations Committee at the Chapter level and develops a state legislative plan with the assistance from NHQ Government Relations. Assists volunteers who have key state and local relationships to advance advocacy identified priorities.
d. Compliance: Identifies, monitors, understands and works with NHQ when necessary to ensure compliance with all state lobbying laws and requirements to include timely completion of lobbying disclosure forms. The completion of pertinent compliance forms is the responsibility of the Chapter.
e. Public Relations: Participates in community outreach activities including speaking engagements and serves as community relations spokesperson in order to strengthen awareness of ARC services and program throughout the region. May cultivate and retain strong media relationships. May resolve public affairs issues.
f. Management/Financial: Manages direct staff of at least 2 FTE employees. Manages interns and volunteers as necessary. Oversees budget.
g. Communications Functional Area: May oversee communications organization within region. May evaluate an integrated strategic communications plan. May develop and execute varied and integrated communication products. May create and launch new media and marketing in partnership with our national organizations.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in public administration, political science, government or related field. Equivalent work experience in government relations may be substituted.
Experience: Minimum 7 years related experience in Government relations.
Management Experience: Minimum 5 years supervisory experience with direct reports, interns and volunteers.
Skills and Abilities: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including ability to communicate tactfully and handle sensitive situations. Good customer service skills. Good organizational skills and detail oriented. Able to work in fast-paced environment. Demonstrated ability to establish and build a relationship with a diverse array of professional and community groups and to work effectively as part of a team. Knowledge of office systems: including MS-Office and Outlook.
Other: Varied work schedule, ability to work evenings and weekends.
Travel: 25% travel
Apply:
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