Job Openings
The Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities is currently accepting applications for the following positions.
Chief Program Officer
Salary: $80,000-$95,000 based on education and experience
Application deadline: May 21, 2025
Link to apply: https://careers.georgia.gov/jobs/chief-program-officer-georgia-council-on-developmental-disabilities-atlanta-67378
Description: Serves as chief programmatic officer of the agency. Responsible for overseeing all programmatic work of the agency, including projects, communications, and public policy. Serves as part of internal leadership team. Leads and engages in collaborative partnerships with external stakeholders and community members. Serves as inhouse expert on all programmatic aspects of The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (the DD Act) and related federal regulations & requirements. Stays abreast of state and national trends impacting the developmental disability community. Collaborates with Executive Director to position Council work for maximum effectiveness.
Core Functions/Duties
- Oversees, directs & aligns agency programmatic work
- Manages development & implementation of five-year strategic plan
- Ensures strong execution and strategic coordination of all programmatic work, including projects, communications, and public policy
- Oversees all projects led by programmatic staff; including development of proposals/NOFAs/RFPs, troubleshooting, evaluation, and process coordination with Deputy Director & Grants Manager
- Manages special projects as assigned
Management & leadership
- Fosters positive atmosphere of collaboration, communication, transparency, and teamwork
- Serves as member of three-person agency leadership team
- Manages direct reports & oversees work of all programmatic staff
- Engage in training, evaluation, and ongoing professional development of programmatic staff
- Engage in coaching and corrective action as appropriate
Engages with external partners & community
- In collaboration with Executive Director & programmatic staff, develop, maintain, and establish community partnerships with agencies and stakeholders that support the work of the Council
- Build positive, productive relationships with Council members & stakeholders
- Foster collaborative working relationship between Council members & staff
- Stay informed and engaged with state and national developments relevant to the developmental disability community; collaborate with Executive Director to position Council work for maximum effectiveness
Grant & policy management
- Serves as in-house expert from a programmatic lens on The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (the DD Act) and related federal regulations & requirements
- Recommends changes to agency practices, policies & procedures based on observations, experiences, and expertise; or legislation, law and regulatory changes
- Researches potential partnerships and grant opportunities & writes/manages grant applications
Qualifications and Competencies
Required
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in business or public administration, management, political science, social work, or a related field. Five years of experience as a leader/supervisor. Experience with programmatic administration, strategic planning/implementation, and program design. Personal or professional experience with developmental disabilities. Excellent listener & strategic thinker with a collaborative leadership style.
Preferred
Experience working with state agencies and/or advocacy organizations. Experience with program evaluation. Experience and knowledge of programs, available services, laws, regulations and issues related to people with developmental disabilities. Strong written and oral communication skills with the ability to understand and communicate effectively with people who have developmental disabilities, their families, professionals, policy makers, and support/advocacy groups. Completion of a master’s or doctorate degree in psychology, social work, public administration or related field.
This is a unique opportunity to become part of the leadership team at a small, dynamic, mission-driven agency. Our federally funded work is centered on systems change, advocacy, and capacity building for people with developmental disabilities and their families, which allows us a great deal of flexibility to take on new and unique projects and areas of focus. GCDD employees are state of Georgia employees with full state benefits while being part of a national network of Developmental Disability Councils. We work in a hybrid model, with limited time required in the office, and allow for reasonable flexibility of daily working hours.
Public Policy Director
Salary: $70,000-$82,000 based on education and experience
Application deadline: June 5, 2025
Link to apply: https://careers.georgia.gov/jobs/public-policy-director-atlanta-67923
Description: Coordinates and administers the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities' public policy program and oversees a broad portfolio of projects with community partners. Works closely with Executive Director and Legislative Advocacy Director to plan and implement comprehensive, effective public policy strategies in collaboration with Council members, staff, advocates and partnering organizations. Plans and develops public policy. Serves as policy analyst and assists in the development of new initiatives. Reviews pertinent legislative proposals and activities of other key state agencies and determines the impact each has on the agency and its areas of focus. Provides information to legislators, constituents, and other stakeholders. Initiates and oversees a broad variety of projects; develops and manages projects and oversees project management and development by subordinate staff. Completes special projects as requested and other job-related duties as assigned. Supervises support personnel.
Core Function: Project Leadership and Research
- Under guidance of Chief Program Officer, initiates and oversees a broad variety of projects based on the Council’s strategic plan and legislative priorities
- Develops and manages projects from RFP development to closeout; oversees development and management of projects by subordinate staff
- Develops, compiles and analyzes surveys, focus group data and other data to formulate policy and programmatic recommendations for Council members, staff, advocates and others
- Schedules and conducts meetings to present, explain and discuss the Council’s policy recommendations with individuals and groups
- Develops research findings and recommendations for policy and program activities by preparing position papers and issues papers and other reports for review by Council members, staff, advocates, legislators and others
Core Function: Administer Public Policy Program
- Provides comprehensive oversight and coordination of GCDD’s public policy program
- Recommends annual legislative agenda of shared goals and objectives with stakeholders
- Facilitates a process for community input into developing a “disability agenda”
- Tracks changes in legislation and reviews newly enacted legislation and analyzes how these changes may impact the agency, people with disabilities and their families
- Works with Public Relations Director to improve spreading legislative information to stakeholders
- Attends relevant state agency meetings & relays information back to GCDD
- Makes policy recommendations to appropriate individuals or groups
- Coordinates scheduling families and advocates visiting and presenting at the Capital in response to budgetary or legislative issues
- Creates and presents public policy presentations
Core Function: Liaison to Elected Officials
- Serves as a representative of the agency to the Georgia legislature, Congressional Delegation, state and federal agencies and national and regional associations. Must be available during Georgia legislative session for regular in-person work at state capitol.
- Responds to stakeholder requests and inquiries regarding constituents or providers in a timely manner
- Serves as representative of the agency to the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities Public Policy Team
- Coordinates with members of the Georgia General Assembly and state agency officials on agency issues that may impact services
Core Function: Legislative Agenda
- Manages process of monitoring legislation proposed during the legislative session
- Tracks state and federal legislation and analyzes progress
- Ensures appropriate individual(s) receive all relevant legislation updates
Core Function: Supervision & Teamwork
- Supervises Legislative Advocacy Director, providing regular evaluation and feedback, and taking corrective action when appropriate
- Works closely with Executive Director, Chief Program Officer and Legislative Advocacy Director to plan and implement comprehensive, effective public policy strategies in collaboration with Council members, staff, advocates and partnering organizations.
- Works closely with Chief Program Officer, Legislative Advocacy Director and GCDD staff to design and oversee a wide variety of projects in the community
- Collaborates with staff & Council members to support Council programming & activities
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in operations management, business administration, or a related field which includes four (4) years in a managerial or supervisory role; or eight (8) years of related professional experience which includes four (4) years in a managerial or supervisory role; or four (4) years of experience required at the lower level Mgr 2, Business Ops (GSM011) or position equivalent. Note: An equivalent combination of knowledge, education, job or intern experience, training, or certifications that provides the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully perform the job at the level listed may be substituted year-over-year.
This is a unique opportunity to play a leading role in exciting public policy work at a small, dynamic, mission-driven agency. Our federally funded work is centered on systems change, advocacy, and capacity building for people with developmental disabilities and their families, which allows us a great deal of flexibility to take on new and unique projects and areas of focus. GCDD employees are state of Georgia employees with full state benefits while being part of a national network of Developmental Disability Councils. We work in a hybrid model, with limited time required in the office, and allow for reasonable flexibility of daily working hours.