Assistant Director for State and Local Campaigns

ID: 2013-1605

Job Location: US-DC-Washington


Posted Date: 6/16/2013

Overview:

SEIU

Assistant Director for State and Local Campaigns  

Washington D.C.  

Purpose: 

The position is responsible for working with Locals and allies to drive union-wide policy priorities through state and local campaigns across the country and fulfilling electoral mandates by creatingrobust legislative programs at the state and local levels.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:  (Any one position may not include all of the specific duties and responsibilities listed.  Examples provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a total and complete list of expected duties to be performed by employees in the classification.)

• Creates and implements a strategy to nationalize local and state issue campaigns to reinforce an overarching movement and support change on the federal level.
• Drives support for new and ongoing local and state-based campaigns through case by case support for locals and through capacity built by Fight for a Fair Economy, Low Wage and other union infrastructures.
• Builds a year-round system to organize progressive and other legislators including educating them on issues, messaging and how to run winning legislative campaigns, and how to lead as members of a minority party.
• Leads partnership work with Division and Locals to identify priority campaigns and an overall SEIU priority agenda at local and state levels to help drive with allies.
• Supervises relevant work within the Department and the designated budget to leverage our relationships with national associations of elected officials including.
• Carries out general management, supervisory functions and/or special projects as requested by the Government Relations Department leadership.
• Performs other duties as required to support the department and its mission.

Contacts:

Must be able to represent the International Union with local leaders, members, staff, and outside organizations utilizing independent judgment and a high level of professionalism.

Interfaces with high level organizational and external contacts, including:

• SEIU officers, division leadership, International senior staff, project and program managers, field, political, and organizing directors, local union officers and staff.
• External: politicians, government officials, partners and allies.

Direction and Decision Making:

This position reports to the Deputy Director of Government Relations for Integrated Campaigns Director and works independently.

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a degree in public policy, political science or related field, and ten to twelve years of experience in local or state legislative work preferably with time working for a legislator and/or mayor/Governor, and/or the Labor movement including experience with programmatic, budgetary and personnel management.

Or, a combination of education and experience that would provide the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of local and state legislative structure and culture
• Knowledge of budget management
• Knowledge of personnel matters
• Knowledge of unions and their issues
• Knowledge of training and educational methods
• Demonstrated ability to drive national programs amidst divergent local interests.
• Ability to interact with a high degree of comfort with elected officials and staff.
• Ability to evaluate budgets and programs, and make qualitative criticisms.
• Ability to work confidently with senior staff and leadership.
• 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 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.
• Ability to direct and supervise the work of others
• Skill in the use of personal computers, including the use of MSOffice Suite and information systems for lobbying activity.

Physical Requirements:

Work is generally performed in an office setting, but may be required to work in other settings conducive to the assigned tasks.  Travel and long, irregular hours may be required.

SEIU is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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