sandi garrulity: Senior Legislative Advocate | HillZoo.com

SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION (SEIU), the nation?s fastest growing labor organization representing more than 2.2 million workers, is seeking a Senior Legislative Advocate for its Washington, DC headquarters.

This position is responsible for all aspects of legislative activity including, but not limited to: selected research, analytical writing, policy development support, public speaking, member education, training, lobbying, and strategic analysis.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

Assists in the development of issue strategy and materials for lobbying activity?fact sheets, legislative reports, target lists, action alerts; letters to elected officials to advocate for SEIU?s core legislative priorities, political, campaign, and growth objectives. Incumbent sends such necessary materials to Legislators, Locals and others to accomplish these tasks.
Coordinates with Communications Team on best messaging and hill communication strategy.
Posts relevant voting records of elected officials and assists in defining the International Union?s issues of concern.
Assists in representing the International on designated issues on Capitol Hill, at professional, industry and outside organizational meetings, briefings, hearings and conferences.
Develops and participates in legislative coalitions with other unions and organizations as deemed appropriate.
Initiates, develops, responds to, prioritizes and completes requests from the SEIU State Council and SEIU Local union staffs for assistance on federal legislative action based on the International Union?s Issue Priorities.
Sets up meetings, develops legislative campaigns and provides consultation and training information and materials to facilitate grassroots lobbying activities as assigned.
Monitors federal legislative developments on matters as assigned; keeps divisions, locals and leaders apprised of key legislative developments and informs stakeholders of legislative matters of interest.
Leads in furthering the Union?s objectives.
Researches and distributes information on federal legislation.
Analyzes existing legislation.
Monitors and analyzes federal and regulatory activity.
Prepares testimony and comments.
Acts as liaison between Local unions and government agencies.
Designs, edits and prepares detailed legislative reports, updates and materials as assigned.
Trains and engages SEIU staff and members; researches current issues and prepares instructional reports and materials; speaks and instructs at conferences, educational workshops and other meetings on industry and union issues.
Identifies opportunities for maximum advocacy (e.g. legislative calendars, grass roots).
Represents SEIU in public forums and field hearings, to serve as an advocate for SEIU (in terms of grassroots lobbying), and to carry out legislative goals of the department.
Serves as a liaison as necessary with outside organizations representing the International.
Develops and recommends strategies that maximize political leverage to support organizing campaigns deemed to be of highest priority within the International Union.
Performs other duties as required to support the department and its mission.

Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelors degree in Public Policy or related field (Politics, History, Economics) and five (5) years of experience in direct lobbying of elected officials or government agencies and drafting legislation or seven (7) years experience as a legislative assistant for an elected official or regulatory agency, including at least two (2) years prior experience working in issues campaigns, political action and election campaigns at a senior level, policy analysis, community advocacy or drafting of legislation or regulations in relevant issues areas and labor or economic issues.

All candidates/ incumbent must have a combination of education and experience, demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Thorough knowledge of direct lobbying of elected officials or government agencies and drafting legislation
Thorough knowledge of working in issues campaigns, political action and election campaigns at a senior level, policy analysis, community advocacy or drafting of legislation or regulations in relevant issues areas.
Thorough knowledge of the office workings of a legislative office for an elected official or regulatory agency.
Thorough knowledge of information systems for lobbying activity.
Knowledge of unions and their issues.
Knowledge of training and educational methods.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to make formal presentations and write advocacy papers.
Ability to build good working relationships with members of Congress and their staff that assists with moving the goals of SEIU forward.
Ability to use personal computer, including on-line research services.
Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Ability to conduct formal research, analyze data and make sound, logical conclusions.
Ability to handle multiple ?priority? projects and meet established timelines.
Ability to work effectively with elected leaders and staff in complex and sometime political situations.
Ability to conduct training sessions.
Skill in the use of personal computers, including the use of MSOffice Suite and information systems for lobbying activity.