GCDD is Hiring a Policy and Advocacy Fellow
GCDD Public Policy and Advocacy Fellowship
Position Description:
The Public Policy and Advocacy Fellowship is a paid, 6 month opportunity at GCDD. The fellow will be responsible for supporting the GCDD Public Policy team in promoting public policy that creates an integrated community life for people with developmental disabilities, their families, friends, neighbors and all who support them. The fellow will assist GCDD in their efforts during Georgia’s 2021 legislative session, as well as GCDD’s federal advocacy efforts. The fellow is expected to demonstrate a commitment to disability inclusion, as well as a respect for disability at the intersection of multiple identities, including racial/ethnic, sexual, and gender identities. Due to COVID-19, this fellowship will primarily be remote, with the understanding that some in-person obligations might take place during Georgia’s legislative session. Given the virtual nature of the fellowship, the fellow is expected to be on-call and able to complete tasks during the fellow’s work hours. The fellow is also expected to have access to their own computer and telephone.
The fellowship is a 20-hour per week commitment. Typical schedule will be Monday-Friday 10-2 (or 10-3 if the fellow wishes to take 1-hour lunch break). The fellow must be flexible for earlier start/end times depending on the nature of policy events. For example, during Georgia’s legislative session, the fellow will be expected to attend events that begin at 8 am.
- Fellowship Start Date at GCDD: December 1, 2020; End Date: June 1, 2021
- Deadline to Apply: 11:59 pm, September 30th
Pay rate is flexible. The base pay will start at $15 per hour and will be commensurate with demonstrated experience.
Essential Responsibilities:
- Track legislation related to the Public Policy Agenda and prepare updates for the GCDD staff
- Attend critical committee meetings during Georgia’s legislative session and prepare updates for the GCDD staff
- Assist in planning and implementation of GCDD’s virtual advocacy initiatives
- Conduct local outreach to engage grassroots advocates to support GCDD’s policy agenda
- Attend and support the COVID-19 Network call and planning group
- Attend and participate in all Council meetings that take place during the fellowship
- Assist in developing policy materials, including one-pagers, white papers, and advocacy communications
Benefits of Fellowship:
- Developing knowledge of Georgia’s legislative process
- Increasing public policy knowledge regarding disability issues
- Building and strengthening relationships with legislators, state agency staff, and policy staffers of other Georgia organizations
- Expanding one’s network within the disability community
- Working on a team of knowledgeable experts in policy, advocacy, social media, and media relations
Required Skills:
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to function as a member of a team
- Dependable, thorough, and attentive to details
- Interacts and establishes rapport with diverse individuals and groups
- Prioritize, execute, and shift between multiple assignments and projects while meeting deadlines
- Prior experience in policy advocacy (e.g., previous participation in GCDD advocacy days or other similar trainings/opportunities)
- Demonstrates initiative and the ability to work independently
- Demonstrated commitment to and engagement with advocacy
GCDD is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to Charlie Miller at and/or Alyssa Lee at by 11:59 pm, September 30th.
