Position: Frank Trippett Advocacy and Outreach Fellow
Program: Advocacy
Employment Type: Contract
If you have a positive attitude, pride in your work, and a passion for helping others,
you may be interested in joining our team.
Overview Description: The Frank Trippett Advocacy and Outreach Fellowship (Trippett Fellowship) is an 11-month full-time contractor position with The Arc of Northern Virginia, running from July 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023.
Under the supervision of the Director of Advocacy, and in cooperation with other staff members, the Trippett Fellow will assist with grassroots advocacy and outreach to families which include a loved one with a developmental disability. The Trippett Fellow will work closely with the Director of Advocacy to engage families in the legislative process, with a focus on local, state and federal policies and legislative issues that affect people with disabilities. The Trippett Fellow will also help people with disabilities and families advocate for systems change. Additionally, the Trippett Fellow will help with outreach activities to educate families about the resources that are available for them and their loved one.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Work with the Director of Advocacy to recruit families to meet with state and local legislators, engage in public speaking, make public comments, and educate elected officials about policy and budget recommendations to benefit the developmental disability community.
– (e.g., Reach out to families in-person or through virtual methods to share information about what is being proposed at the state level that would impact disability services, and then work with families to see how they would specifically be affected. Facilitate efforts to encourage people with disabilities and families to share critical messages with elected officials.) - Work closely with people with disabilities and their supporters to prepare them for calls, meetings, and speeches.
– (e.g., After helping an individual or family sign up to speak at an event, meet with them to help them craft their story and practice it so they feel prepared to give the relevant facts to legislators.) - Offer training sessions for families on advocacy and engagement, as well as the work of The Arc of Northern Virginia.
– (e.g., Give presentations and other trainings to people with disabilities and their families about current advocacy efforts and opportunities for them to get involved.) - Take a leadership role in the planning and facilitation of The Arc of Northern Virginia’s A Life Like Yours (ALLY) Toastmasters/People First group, a monthly virtual self-advocacy meeting.
– (e.g., Research and invite guest speakers to attend and discuss issues of interest to the self-advocates, help to arrange and run the meeting, send meeting reminders, and encourage participants to engage in advocacy activities in between meetings.) - Reach out to community groups to educate them on The Arc of Northern Virginia’s work and to engage new advocates.
– (e.g., Contact local faith and social justice organizations and communities to provide information about The Arc of Northern Virginia’s work and offer to present informational presentations on the organization’s programs and services.) - Assist the Director of Advocacy in creating advocacy materials and campaigns.
– (e.g., Help develop social media posts, handouts, emails, videos, etc. that discuss The Arc of Northern Virginia’s work and the organization’s advocacy efforts.) - Respond to phone, email, and other inquiries about advocacy campaigns and about the work of The Arc of Northern Virginia.
- Provide outreach presentations to community groups, congregations, and companies throughout Northern Virginia to inform members/employees about The Arc of Northern Virginia and educate them about resources and services that are available for their loved ones with disabilities.
- Conduct research to identify new advocacy and outreach partners.
- Attend events to staff displays and provide information, as needed
- Other related duties as assigned.
Desired Skills and Experience:
- Degree and/or experience in political science, social work, special education, therapeutic recreation, counseling, or a related field
- Knowledge of disability rights issues
- Experience with grassroots advocacy and legislative efforts
- Experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and families
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Solid organization and time management skills
- Proficiency in standard office software
- Ability to work independently performing duties under general supervision
- Fluent Spanish speaker and writer will receive particular consideration
About The Arc of Northern Virginia: Founded in 1962, The Arc of Northern Virginia promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) of all ages and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes. We represent and serve over 39,000 people with IDD—such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and rare chromosomal disorders—of all ages and their families throughout Northern Virginia. In addition, our Special Needs Trust program serves all of VA, DC, and MD, and our Tech for Independent Living program serve the DC Metro Region.
About the Frank Trippett Advocacy and Outreach Fellowship: The Frank Trippett Advocacy and Outreach Fellowship was established by the family and friends of Frank Trippett in his memory, as a tribute to his longtime commitment to ensuring that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can achieve lives of their choosing in the community. The Arc of Northern Virginia helped Frank and Linda Trippett build a rewarding life for Hailey, their daughter who has a disability. This fellowship creates a lasting legacy to Frank’s personal advocacy to help other families connect to the vital resources that can support them and meet the needs of their loved ones with disabilities.
How To Apply:
Send your resume and a cover letter to:
Lucy Beadnell
The Arc of Northern Virginia
2755 Hartland Road, Suite 200
Falls Church, VA 22043
or submit by email to:
lucy.beadnell@thearcofnova.org.
Please include the position title in the subject line of your email.
Closing Date: Tuesday, May 31, 2021
The Arc of Northern Virginia is an equal opportunity employer.
At The Arc of Northern Virginia, we are committed to treating all applicants and employees fairly based on their knowledge, skills, experience, and achievements without regard to race, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity.
