CAREER CENTER

About Us

INARF is the principal membership organization in Indiana representing providers of services to people with disabilities. Our members serve over 50,000 Indiana citizens annually and employ nearly 15,000 workers. For over 45 years, INARF has maintained positive work relationships with governmental agencies responsible for human service programs, promoted networking and professional development opportunities for members, and provided leadership and support in the promotion of quality programs for persons with disabilities. INARF is committed to strengthening the system of services and supports for Hoosiers with disabilities.

Position Overview

INARF is seeking an individual who has demonstrated competency in managing legislative affairs, building legislative relationships, and fostering advocacy development. The Vice President - Legislative Affairs is responsible for developing and advancing a comprehensive strategy to address the legislative issues impacting the disability services’ industry.  In addition, they lead and direct the strategic direction, daily operation and provide governance support for the Ability Indiana Program.  Bachelor’s degree and five years relevant legislative and advocacy experience required.  Competitive salary and excellent benefits available.

Job Description

In collaboration with the INARF team, this position will provide leadership and support for multiple priorities related to the organization’s initiatives.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

 Legislative Affairs-

1. Recommend and direct government affairs strategy implementation that supports the organization and members in achieving successful public policy results.
2. Recommend and drive sound positions and appropriate state policy and legislation in support of business objectives and interests.
3. Possess a solid strategic understanding of the changes occurring in the provision of services to people with disabilities, and a solid grasp of the business models that are evolving in the industry.
4. Develop appropriate monitoring tools for legislative issues that can be used to track issues and communicate with the membership.
5. Manage productive relationships with members of the Indiana General Assembly and their staff, state agency personnel, the press, and other interests to communicate INARF’s message, information and issues.
6. Serve as primary advisor to the President/CEO on all legislative and advocacy issues; provide legislative affairs advice to senior leadership on key issues, trends, and legislative activities impacting the organizations.
7. Develop annual INARF Legislative Agendas based on changes requiring legislative action.
8. Work and coordinate with member organizations to develop and implement programs in the legislative areas, including involving member organization staff in grassroots advocacy efforts utilizing VoterVoice.
9. Work with other state-wide organizations and associations to ensure a coordinated effort for voicing and acting upon INARF positions and issues.
10. As necessary, develop relationships and strategies with outside lobbying firms for effectively communicating public policy positions.
11. Serve as primary staff liaison to the Government Affairs Committee and the INARF PAC, to provide technical support, articulate policy, resolve problems, coordinate meetings, and build relationships.
12. Lead efforts to develop testimony before the Indiana General Assembly as well as efforts to develop written advocacy materials including advocacy alerts, legislative agenda, talking points, legislative summaries, and issue briefs.
13. Recommendations for INARF involvement and / or positions on legislative issues.
14. Lead INARF DC Fly-in planning and execution.
15. Oversee Federal engagement and education opportunities.
16. Lead INARF PAC Board initiatives, meetings, and advise on PAC political giving.

Member Services-

1. Provide technical assistance on legislative affairs, legislator engagement and legislative process.
2. Identify, coordinate and participate in legislator visits to INARF Member organizations.

Ability Indiana Program-

1. Direct and manage all elements of the Central Coordinating Agency’s responsibilities for the Ability Indiana Program, including product and service development, sales, marketing, customer service, contract development, negotiation strategies, compliance monitoring, and manage and support Program staff.
2. Develop, implement, and monitor a comprehensive business development plan that results in increased employment opportunities for Hoosiers with disabilities.
3. Provide effective oversight of Ability Indiana Program contracts to assure compliance with the Program policies and procedures.
4. Design and implement systems to regularly collect and analyze Certified Ability Indiana Organizations (CAIOs) capabilities and Ability Indiana customer needs in order to research, identify, and facilitate new product and service opportunities.
5. Serve as primary staff liaison to the Ability Indiana Board of Directors and the Ability Indiana Committee (State Use Committee) to provide technical support, articulate policy, resolve problems, coordinate meetings, and build relationships.
6. Work with President/CEO to support governance activities, including agenda development, strategic planning, and board development activities.
7. Research, monitor, analyze, and evaluate emerging legislative issues and regulation that may have an impact on state and municipal contracting and purchasing.
8. Represent the interests of INARF and Ability Indiana at meetings with external stakeholders, including state agency personnel, legislators, allied partners, and other associations and trade groups.

General Responsibilities:

1. Demonstrate mastery-level knowledge of the INARF and Ability Indiana strategic frameworks and awareness of key organizational strategic initiatives. Proactively seek opportunities to engage and leverage the activities of staff in furthering the same.
2. Participate as a member of the senior management team in strategic planning, business plan/work plan development and budget delivery.
3. Drive efficiency by upholding relevant accountability standards, contribute to and manage several projects simultaneously, and adopt a problem-solving approach to achieve project outcomes and to prioritize projects in order to meet overall goals.
4. Provide timely, clear, professional, effective, and accurate communication,        verbally and in writing, to members, CAIOs, customers, state partners, allied partners  and other external stakeholders.
5. Manage the day-to-day responsibilities of the position while meeting deadlines for long term projects. Stay organized in order to be efficient and timely with requests.
6. Provide exceptional customer service to meet INARF’s standards.
7. Be responsible for the growth and development of assigned professional interest sections, committees, and work groups. Be accountable for the effective implementation and management of related projects.

1. 1. Manage inter-organizational and volunteer committee relationships to guide project process and meet project goals.
   2. Assure that staff and volunteer leadership are engaged and kept apprised of project status, and that needed approvals from key staff and leaders are obtained.
   3. Upon completion, review and assess projects for degree of success, efficiency, timeliness, and effectiveness. Provide recommendations for improvements to process and approach for future efforts.

       8. Demonstrate willingness to grow knowledge in new subject areas.

       9. Provide support, as needed or requested.

Qualifications:

1. Minimum of five years relevant legislative and advocacy experience.
2. Experience in advocacy development, human services industry or other related areas. Human Services’ finance experience and PAC management experience a plus.
3. Bachelor’s degree required.
4. Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint and willingness to learn additional programs such as association management system, virtual meeting technology, and others as needed.
5. Be available to conduct regular business either from the INARF office or from outside the office as defined in the Regular Work Week Expectations Policy.
6. Possess a valid driver’s license and a reliable vehicle.
7. Be available for business travel as assigned and necessary.
8. Adhere to the Association’s policies and procedures contained in the Employee Handbook.

Salary

$80,000-$93,000

Employee Benefits 

INARF currently offers employees the following:       

1. Insurance (full-time employees)

1. 100% Employee premium for UHC health, Humana vision and dental, UHC and UNUM life insurance (total benefit $40,000), UNUM short-term and long-term disability
2. Option for employee to purchase dependent insurance coverage
3. Option for employee to purchase Manhattan Life voluntary critical care and/or Humana voluntary additional life insurance for self and dependents

2. PTO

1. Twelve vacation days – accrued throughout the year
2. Four sick days – one earned at the end of each quarter
3. Two floating holidays – in lieu of working Martin Luther King and Presidents’ Day
4. Two personal days – awarded on January 1

3. Retirement

1. After 6 months of employment, eligible for the INARF 401(k) Plan:

1. 1.  INARF employer contribution = 5% gross pay made each pay period
   2. Opportunity to defer salary

4. Regular Work Week Expectation Policy allows for designated days to work remote

5. Complimentary parking

More About Our Membership and Our Team                                                                     

Our membership is made up of two types of members: Organizational (providers) and Associate (companies providing a product or service to the Organizational members).  There are currently 71 Organizational members and 33 Associate members.  Our three founding pillars are: Development - we provide opportunities for professional development for members’ staff, Advocacy - we advocate on our members’ behalf with FSSA and the General Assembly regarding how services are provided, and Unity - we foster networking and collaboration opportunities to ensure a collective voice for the industry.       

Our 12 employees support four primary areas: Public Policy, Member Services, Ability Indiana, and Operations.  We work to influence the disabilities’ services industry by presenting a unified voice and by building the capabilities of member agencies to deliver quality services and supports. 

How to Apply

Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their resume and salary requirements to Barb Young at barb@inarf.org.

About INARF

INARF is the trade association for Indiana providers serving people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

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