Details
Posted: 18-Apr-22
Location: Madison, WI
Type: Full Time
Required Education: 4 Year Degree
Categories:
Government Relations
Salary Details:
Competitive compensation; insurance benefits including health, life, and short-and long-term disability; dental reimbursement; 401(k) plan with generous annual employer contribution; flex plan for employees to pay for insurance and dependent care on a pre-tax basis; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. office hours (with Friday afternoons off during summer months).
The Wisconsin Dental Association is seeking to hire a full-time Director of Government Services. The position is based out of the WDA’s legislative office in Madison.
We are looking for a highly motivated individual who values commitment to quality, initiative and the delivery of value and services to our members. Bring your dedication and commitment to teamwork along with your positive attitude to the Wisconsin Dental Association.
As the Director of Government Services, you will be responsible for implementing legislative and regulatory initiatives and grassroots activities of the Association. You will monitor and manage legislative and regulatory affairs activities and work to develop and enhance relationships between members, our lobbyists, legislators and other government agencies. You will coordinate the Association’s grassroots advocacy network, assisting members in communicating with their legislative representatives. Additionally, you will manage the association’s Political Action Committee. You will develop and draft key messages and materials to address legislative issues (action alerts, member communications, etc.), research topics of legislative interest and develop position papers on legislative topics. The Director of Government Services will also serve as a staff liaison to several Association committees and provide support to other Association-related activities.
Some travel is required throughout the state, generally 3-4 days per month and normally going into the evening hours with occasional overnight stays.
Job Description
- WDA Team: Responsibility for professional excellence, delivery of membership services, support of the executive director, and service to the Board of Trustees, House of Delegates, and all committees. Minimum qualifications for WDA Team members include the following: (5%)
- Participative leadership - creating interdependence by empowering, freeing up and serving others.
- Shared responsibility - establishing an environment in which all team members feel responsibility for the overall mission of the Wisconsin Dental Association.
- Agreement to share departmental resources and staff support when needed
- Aligned on purpose - having a sense of common purpose about why the team exists and the function it serves.
- High communication - creating a climate of trust and open, honest communication.
- Future focused - seeing change as an opportunity for growth.
- Focused on task - keeping meetings and interactions focused on results.
- Creative talents - applying individual talents and creativity.
- Rapid response - identifying and acting on opportunities.
- Monitor and coordinate all facets of WDA legislative activities and provide regular and periodic reports to the Executive Director. (35%)
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- Monitor, analyze, and provide advice concerning legislative and regulatory issues affecting the practice of dentistry and dental patients
- Working cooperatively with the WDA contracted lobbyist to lobby legislators regarding specific WDA positions and objectives
- Communicates the position of the WDA to key legislative policy makers and staff at regulatory agencies affecting members and the dental profession
- Implement WDA legislative policy directives in the most strategically effective way
- Develop and draft key messages and materials to address legislative issues
- Research topics of legislative interest
- Develop position papers on legislative topics
- Draft resolutions for the WDA House of Delegates as directed by the Legislative Committee and or Executive Director
- Regularly write legislative updates for various WDA communication vehicles
- Provide content for WDA’s Website in collaboration with Communication department
- In conjunction with WDA’s contracted lobbyist, monitor legislative hearings at the Capitol
- Maintain ongoing relationships with legislators and stakeholder groups on behalf of the WDA
- Track legislation of interest to the WDA
- Coordinate with the WDA contract lobbyists and other WDA staff
- Oversees WDA actions/response on Dental Benefits/Insurance and Public Health issues
- Communicate with the Governor’s office to identify and recommend qualified dentists to serve on the Dentistry Examining Board (DEB). Monitor DEB activities to provide updates and reports to WDA leadership and staff.
- Works with legal counsel to provide information and assistance to dental office staff in dealing with issues and understanding other dental practice issues; serves as a resource to members and WDA staff
- Organize and coordinate all facets of WDA grassroots legislative and governmental activities. (35%)
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- Engage members to facilitate and maximize the influence of members with their elected officials
- Speak to groups regarding the status of the WDA’s legislative agenda
- Work closely with components to implement grassroots program goals
- Organizes and hosts annual “legislative day” activities
- Receive input from membership and dispense information in a timely fashion
- Utilize electronic grassroots software and social media outlets to activate membership (CapWiz/Legislative List Serve)
- Staff the Legislative and WIDPAC Committees and other committees as assigned. (10%)
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- Coordinate all aspects of committee meetings (agendas, document preparation, minutes, etc) and ongoing correspondence with committee members
- Attends component, Board of Trustees and House of Delegates meetings throughout the state to explain key issues; acts as conduit between legislators and members attending meetings
- Provide assistance to committee chair, as needed
- Assist staff and Director of Finance with government affairs related budgets
- Assure that all policies, goals, and objectives that relate to the committee are dealt with in an appropriate, timely manner
- Update committee goals and objectives for the Board of Trustees
- Manage committee projects
- Assist in staffing the WDA's Political Action Committee (WIDPAC), Conduit Accounts and maintain and support WDA relationships with legislators. (5%)
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- Assist with fundraising activities for the PAC and Direct Giver programs
- Coordinate fundraisers for candidates
- Attends dentist-hosted fundraisers for legislators and candidates throughout the state
- Drafts solicitation letters for fundraisers with specific information relating to individual legislators/candidates on their positions on dental issues
- Support ADA Washington Office activities. (5%)
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- Organize WDA participation in the annual ADA Washington Leadership Conference
- Liaison with the ADA Washington Office
- Maintain a network of Action Team Leaders (ATLs) for the ADA
- Miscellaneous (5%)
- Work during the WDA’s Annual Meeting and House of Delegates meeting, as requested
- Attend Board of Trustees meetings, component, staff meetings and other functions, as requested
Perform any and all other assignments as requested by the Executive Director
Knowledge Required
- Experience with and thorough understanding of the legislative process
- Knowledge of health care and oral health care issues and topics
- Working knowledge of Wisconsin state government
- Social media and other electronic communications
Skills and Abilities Required
- Expertise in building and maintaining relationships among legislators and members
- Energetic self-starter who takes an initiative and runs with it
- Creative and proactive in nature
- Developing grassroots networks
- Excellent writing and communication skills
- Strategic thinking
- Experience in dentistry or other health care field
- Excellent writing, listening, and organizational skills
- Attention to detail and ability to document and follow up
- Ability to work with others and be a consensus builder
- Able and willing to travel to state and national meetings
- Public speaking ability
- Basic knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word and Excel
Contact Information
To be considered for this position, please submit your resume and cover letter including salary requirements no later than May 6, 2022, to Mr. Mark Paget at mpaget@wda.org. Questions, please call 414-755-4100.
