Associate Legislative Director – Health

Application Procedures Interested in joining our team? Apply on our NACo Career Center Page. Share this page LinkedIn Email About The Position The Associate Legislative Director for Health leads the advancement of NACo’s advocacy priorities by designing and executing federal policy strategies for NACo’s work in public health and healthy communities, including disease and injury prevention and health promotion, health disparities reduction, mental and behavioral health services, and financing delivering health care. This role drives NACo’s agenda by developing and implementing legislative and regulatory initiatives, engaging directly with Capitol Hill and the Administration, analyzing policy proposals, and preparing high-impact materials for members and stakeholders. This position reports for NACo’s Chief Government Affairs Officer. In addition, the Associate Legislative Director leads committee meetings, educational sessions, and workshops held during NACo conferences, while providing oversight and guidance to legislative assistants or associates. Key Responsibilities Leads the development and execution of comprehensive advocacy and legislative strategies in support of county health priorities, aligning priorities with the American County Platform and NACo’s strategic policy agendaDemonstrates a deep understanding of the federal legislative and regulatory landscape, including budget, appropriations, and administrative processes, to shape and influence outcomes on behalf of countiesServes as NACo’s chief advocate on issues related to health, driving federal outreach and direct engagement with Congress and federal agencies to advance county priorities and influence legislative and regulatory decisionsAdvises county officials and senior NACo leadership on emerging policy trends, strategic positioning and the implications of federal actions.Prepares testimony, comment letters, policy briefs, legislative analysis and other high-impact advocacy materialsLeads member engagement for the HealthSteering Committee, elevating county-led initiatives at the federal level and strengthening intergovernmental partnerships between counties, Congress and the Administration to advance shared priorities.Leads the planning, content development and execution of policy briefings, Steering Committee meetings, Capitol Hill events and workshops at NACo conferences and other events throughout the year, ensuring strategic alignment and strong member and stakeholder participationEngages in external speaking roles and represents NACo in coalition meetings, convenings and public forums to elevate county perspectives, build partnerships and garner support for NACo’s advocacy prioritiesSupervises, mentors, and develops one to two legislative assistants or associates, ensuring work products reflect strategic alignment, high-quality analysis, and excellent member serviceCollaborates across NACo’s policy teams to integrate advocacy strategies, unify messaging, and identify cross-portfolio opportunities that strengthen NACo’s overall legislative impactOther duties as assigned Qualifications An advanced degree with a minimum of three years of professional experience in legislative or regulatory policy and advocacy or a bachelor's degree with at least five years of such experienceSubstantive experience in the federal health policy landscapeStrong understanding of the federal legislative process and administrative rulemaking, including the federal budget and appropriationsOutstanding written and verbal communication skills with the ability to distill complex policy or legal information into clear and accessible contentProactive, detail-oriented self-starter with the ability to anticipate needs, manage competing priorities, and communicate clearly and effectively across all levels of an organizationAbility to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, bipartisan environment Preferred Attributes Experience working on Capitol Hill, in a federal agency, national member facing associationProven ability to build coalitions and engage effectively in government relations or policy advocacyFamiliarity with county structures, local governance and intergovernmental relationsExperience developing and managing a program or departmental budget Location and Travel This position is based in Washington, D.C. with opportunities to travel for conferences, meetings and stakeholder engagementsExpected travel: approximately 25 percent of total workdays Salary Annual $90,000 commensurate with experience and available resources Opportunity to lead impactful, mission-oriented public affairs efforts at a national level.Work alongside a dedicated team committed to helping county government officials in the pursuit of excellence in public service, ultimately helping people and places to thrive.Competitive salary and benefits package. NACo's Vision, Mission & Norms At NACo, we invest in our teammates with benefits that go beyond the basics, supporting you at work and in life. Health & Wellness Medical, dental and vision coverage with NACo contributing a significant share of premiumsFlexible spending accountsEmployee assistance program with 24/7 confidential support Financial & Retirement 401(k) with potential employer match and automatic enrollEmployer funded pension contribution of 10 percent of salaryLife insurance and fully paid short- and long-term disability coverage Time off and Flexibility Generous paid leave starting at 20 days annually, increasing with tenureEleven paid holidays each yearPre-tax commuter benefits and transportation subsidy Professional Development Tuition reimbursement to support continued education and career growth Benefits may vary based on position and eligibility