Project Director – Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (Deadline: September 22, 2015)

Position Background and Description:

The Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI) has been awarded a grant to support public policy advocacy to increase the share of low-income individuals and families in Massachusetts who receive and retain the full package of benefits for which they are eligible, with an emphasis on MassHealth and SNAP (food stamps). The grant is for one year. We expect but cannot guarantee that funding will be renewed for a second year.

The long-term goal of this Project is to set Massachusetts on a path towards integration and alignment of health and human services programs. Our short-term (two-year) goals are to increase SNAP and MassHealth enrollment and retention by persuading state officials to simplify, streamline, and combine application, redetermination, and verification processes for the two programs.

Responsibilities:

• Organize meetings with relevant community coalitions and stakeholders to identify the problems and engage them in the work.
• Obtain and analyze data to assess coverage gaps and measure progress.
• Develop preliminary proposals to EOHHS, MassHealth and DTA and secure meetings with officials to discuss proposals.  For example the proposal to share documents might include problem statement, an outline of how the document sharing will work, and examples of successful models from other states with any information about their costs or savings.
• Promote the proposals with other community organizations and other in other forums.
• Collect case stories of households who cannot negotiate the existing systems and use those stories to further the advocacy efforts.
• Participate in and present at national meetings and conferences with other state advocacy organizations and national partners,; possibly host or travel to other states engaged in similar efforts.
• Develop detailed work plans for MLRI and the funding organizations.
• Provide progress reports to funding organizations.

Qualifications:

• Detailed knowledge of the state’s SNAP program or the MassHealth program or both

(preferred);

• Ability to master the policy, and technical details of administration of SNAP and MassHealth;
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated;
• Ability to develop and nurture contacts with state policy makers and other stakeholders and work collaboratively with them;
• Strong analytical skills, including ability to analyze data to further the Project’s goals;
• Strong communications skills, including ability to translate complex issues into clear oral

presentations and advocacy materials;

• Experience working in or advocating with state agencies to secure public benefits for low income households (preferred);
• Experience collaborating with organizations advocating to promote access to programs that serve low-income people;
• Experience working with public officials (preferred);
• Demonstrated commitment to promoting access to basic benefits for low-income people and

underserved communities.

Compensation: Position is full-time. It may be possible to negotiate part-time employment. Salary is based on the MLRI salary scale. Generous benefits package, including leave and health and dental.

Application Process: To apply please submit a cover letter referencing this position, resume, and brief writing sample electronically to: Mary Brown, mbrown@mlri.org. (No phone calls please.)

Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.

Qualified Candidates should submit applications as early as possible.

Deadline: September 22, 2015.