Advocacy and Public Policy Director

JOB REQUIREMENTS: Advocacy and Public Policy Director The GreaterWisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (GWAAR) is looking for a full-timeAdvocacy and Public Policy Director. This role is responsible formobilizing the aging network, building powerful coalitions, developingpartnerships with other advocate organizations across the state, andrepresenting the interests of older adults and family caregivers beforestate and federal governing bodies. As a primary liaison to theWisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN), this position will synchronizeregional and statewide efforts to advance policy priorities and ensurethe voices of older adults are heard. This position can be located at ahome office or at our Madison office. Starting salary range is$85,000-$90,000 annually. A bachelor's degree from an accreditedcollege or university with at least 5 years of experience in the fieldof aging or community organizing or an equivalent combination oftraining and experience related to the duties of this position.Knowledge of the aging and long-term services network, the legislativeprocess, lobbying requirements as well as experience in grassrootsorganizing, systems advocacy and government relations preferred by notrequired. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to workeffectively as part of a team while also functioning independently withminimal supervision. Strong written and verbal communication skills,organizational skills, and initiative are required. Must live inWisconsin and be able to travel within the state including occasionalovernight travel and possess a valid driver's license and proof ofinsurance. For a full job description, go to and click onthe About link, then Employment Opportunities. Send or e-mail coverletter and resume to the following: GWAAR is proud to bean equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse andinclusive workforce. GWAAR provides equal employment opportunities toall employees and employment applicants without regard to unlawfulconsiderations of sex, sexual orientation, gender (including genderidentity and/or expression), pregnancy, race, color, creed, national orethnic origin, citizenship status, religion or similar philosophicalbeliefs, disability, marital and civil union status, age, geneticinformation, veteran status or any personal attribute or characteristicthat is protected by applicable local, state or federal laws. GreaterWisconsin Agency on Aging Resources Position Description______________________________________________________________________________Position Title: Advocacy and Public Policy Director Supervisor:Executive Director Position Status: This is a full-time, exempt-statusposition working standard business hours Monday through Friday with somenights, weekends, and overnights possible. Position Summary: This roleis responsible for mobilizing the aging network, building powerfulcoalitions, developing partnerships with other advocate organizationsacross the state, and representing the interests of older adults andfamily caregivers before state and federal governing bodies. As aprimary liaison to the Wisconsin Aging Advocacy Network (WAAN), thisposition will synchronize regional and statewide efforts to advancepolicy priorities and ensure the voices of older adults are heard.______________________________________________________________________________Essential Job Functions: 1. Work with the GWAAR Board of Directors,GWAAR Advisory Council, Executive Director and other staff to developthe overall public policy strategy for GWAAR. 2. Monitor federal andstate legislative developments; analyze potential impacts on olderadults and service providers to proactively inform and mobilize t eaging network. 3. Organize and maintain a grassroots advocacy networkbased within the county and tribal aging units and aging and disabilityresource centers (ADRCs) in the GWAAR service area. 4. Provide trainingand support for aging units/ADRCs, their boards, and constituents withlegislative contacts; face-to-face meetings with legislators and staff;and assistance with developing and sharing testimony. 5. Help organizeand maintain effective statewide coalitions and partnerships dealingwith strategic issues impacting older adults and family caregivers. 6.Develop advocacy campaigns (phone, email, online platform, storycollection) to mobilize advocates to engage with their legislators onspecific policies impacting the lives of older people and familycaregivers. 7. Develop and maintain working relationships with federaland state elected officials and their staff along with the state andfederal agencies that direct public policy affecting older people andthe aging network. 8. Develop a legislative education curriculum forolder people and professionals who work with them from around the state.9. Provide leadership to GWAAR staff around advocacy efforts related totheir assigned program areas and meet periodically with GWAARspecialists and other staff, as appropriate, to discuss public policyissues. 10. Coordinate GWAAR/WAAN legislative activities with localcounty or tribal aging/ ADRC advocacy groups. 11. Maintain a workingrelationship with other disability and aging advocates and their mainorganizations and/or coalitions. 12. Attend occasional GWAAR managementteam meetings as appropriate to discuss strategy on selected publicpolicy items. 13. Regularly meet with WAAN Leadership Team members toidentify activities and events in which their assistance and support isneeded and by recommending operational tasks and volunteer opportunitiesin need or support. 14. Provide executive support to the Wisconsin AgingAdvocacy Network (WAAN), managing monthly meetings, leadership strategy,and signature events like Aging Advocacy Day. 15. Register GWAAR as astate lobbying principal and serve as a state licensed lobbyist forGWAAR (requires bill tracking, registering on bills and topics ofinterest, allocating time and expenses to lobbying activity, and filingof six-month reports for the Wisconsin Ethics Commission).Qualifications: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college oruniversity with at least 5 years of experience in the field of aging orcommunity organizing or an equivalent combination of training andexperience related to the duties of this position. Knowledge of theaging and long-term services network, the legislative process, lobbyingrequirements as well as experience in grassroots organizing, systemsadvocacy and government relations preferred by not required. Strongverbal and written communication skills. The successful candidate willdemonstrate the ability to work effectively as part of a team while alsofunctioning independently with minimal supervision. Strong written andverbal communication skills, organizational skills, and initiative arerequired. Must be able to travel within the state of Wisconsin,including occasional overnight travel, and possess a valid driver'slicense and proof of insurance. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:E-Mail a Rsum:

Created: 2026-03-06