SENIOR LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE

SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION (SEIU), the nation's fastest growing labor organization representing more than 1.9 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:

• Works with relevant staff to develop issue strategy and materials for lobbying activity--fact sheets, prescribed status reports, letters to elected officials, Local unions and outside organizations--and relationships to accomplish the political and legislative issues, campaigns, and other tasks as assigned. Incumbent sends such necessary materials to Legislators, Locals and others to accomplish these tasks.
  
• Conducts research on voting records of elected officials and assists in defining the International Union's issues of concern.
  
• Assists the Legislative Director in designing and staffing the International Union's relations with senior level officials on the state and federal levels (e.g. White House, Congressional Leadership, Governors, etc.)
  
• Advocates on behalf of union members on legislative issues as assigned.
  
• Represents the International on designated issues at the AFL-CIO, at professional, industry and outside organizational meetings 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, state and local legislative action based on the International Union's Issues Priorities.
  
• Sets up meetings, develops legislative campaigns and provides consultation and training information and materials to facilitate grassroots lobbying activities as assigned.
  
• Monitors federal, state and local legislative developments on matters as assigned; reads industry trade journals; copies relevant articles and maintains department and library files.
  
• Furthers the Union's industry objectives.
  
• Researches and distributes information on federal and state legislation.
  
• Interprets existing legislation.
  
• Monitors and analyzes federal, state and local legislative and regulatory activity.
  
• Prepares testimony and comments.
  
• Acts as liaison between Local unions and government agencies.
  
• Designs, edits and prepares detailed legislative reports, manuals, updates and writes materials as assigned.
  
• Trains and instructs 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 consultant/trainer for SEIU (in terms of grassroots lobbying), and to carry out legislative.
  
• Serves as a liaison as necessary with outside organizations and the AFL-CIO representing the International.
  
• Develops and recommends strategies that maximize political leverage to support industry and regional 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 experience in direct lobbying of elected officials or government agencies and drafting legislation or six (6) years experience as a legislative assistant for an elected official or regulatory agency. 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, at least two (2) years experience in healthcare, public sector, administrative, or building services, or a combination of education and experience that would provide for 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.
  
• Thorough knowledge of tax issues and/or budgeting.
  
• 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 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.

How to Apply:

Send cover letter with résumé to:

email: hrres@seiu.org
or fax to 202/898-3407

Reference job code: UJC-SLA