OSPIRG seeks a High Value Health Care Advocate to help lead our campaigns to address the high cost of health care in Oregon. While the debate around health care usually focuses on improving access and affordability, the root problem is the underlying cost of care. We’re working to lower out of control prescription drugs costs, address runaway hospital prices, and stop unfair medical bills.

OSPIRG has a 50-year history of consumer advocacy in Oregon, advancing policy solutions to solve problems that affect our health, our safety and our well-being. The health care advocate will work closely with our national health care program director, our state director, and our network of coalition partners and volunteers to make sure Oregonians’ spending on health care results in better health outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Development: Help develop programs and campaigns around relevant health care policy, including researching the issue, creating viable policy solutions, and proposing the right political strategy and messaging.
• Advocacy: Represent OSPIRG in legislative meetings and hearings. Build relationships with players in key regulatory agencies, the Governor’s office, the Capitol and more.
• Campaign Strategy: Develop plans to win our campaigns; assess opportunities for building political support for our agenda through coalition-building, grassroots organizing, media coverage, and message development.
• Fundraising: Write grant proposals, build relationships with foundation staff, and meet with major donors, all to bring more resources to our campaigns.
• Recruitment & Training Recruit new staff, interns and volunteers to increase our impact and build our power. Oversee interns to develop and implement work plans, provide training and leadership development opportunities.

This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance.

Qualifications

Candidates should have at least 2 years of relevant professional experience, including (but not limited to) work in political, policy, legal, journalistic or government settings. Qualified candidates will have a demonstrated commitment to public interest or consumer issues and to citizen-based social change, as well as a track record of leadership and an ability to drive significant projects. We’re looking for people who are goal-driven and results-oriented, who have excellent verbal, written and analytical skills, the ability to speak persuasively in a charged atmosphere, and who are driven to make positive policy change.