Legislative Director

The Illinois Federation of Teachers currently has one (1) full-time professional staff vacancies for a Legislative Director, initially assigned to the IFT Legislative Springfield Office in the Central Region.  The effective date of this position will be on or after August 1, 2013. Job qualifications and duties for this position are as follows:

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

1.      Applicant must possess at least one year of professional experience in lobbying and/or related legislative occupations. Ideally, this would include drafting legislation and analyzing legislative proposals, as well as experience developing relationships with state officials, legislators, legislative staff and state policy professionals;

2.    Applicant must possess significant experience in campaigns and related activities, such as planning, fundraising, volunteer recruitment, media relations and polling;

3.  Applicant must have knowledge of the diverse political structure and activities within Illinois;

4.    Applicant must demonstrate substantial knowledge of, or be willing and able to acquire expertise in, a broad range of public policy areas including public elementary and secondary education, higher education, public pension systems, state budgeting, public sector labor relations and other fields relevant to the IFT;

5.     Applicant must demonstrate a basic knowledge and appreciation of educational and labor issues on the local, state and national levels;

6.  Applicant must demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills;

7.     Applicant should possess strong negotiation skills and the ability to assume a leadership role on legislation involving major constituencies of IFT membership;

8.      Applicant  must  possess  the  ability  to  research,  analyze  and  effectively  communicate legislative issues;

9.  Strong numeracy skills and the ability to analyze state budget issues are strongly desirable;

10.    Applicant may be asked to demonstrate their familiarity and ability to use basic computer software such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access or comparable programs;

11.     Applicant  must  be  willing  and  able  to  travel  statewide  and  work  some  evenings  and weekends as may be required;

12.  Springfield area residency may be required.

I.  LOBBYING

MAIN FUNCTIONS

Assume full responsibilities of the lead lobbyist on a variety of subject areas as assigned by the Director of Political Activities, including:

a.   Researching and drafting legislation;

b.   Tracking legislation in assigned subject areas and reporting as needed to inform the IFT members, Executive Board, administrators,  and staff, of important legislative developments;

c.   Developing and executing lobbying plans in support of or opposition to legislation impacting the IFT;

d.   Providing written or oral testimony before various legislative committees or public hearings/meetings;

e.   Monitoring regulatory state agencies to further the IFT’s organizational goals;

f.    Negotiating resolutions to legislative issues with state officials, legislators, legislative staff and other lobbyists;

g.   Working collaboratively with a team of political and legislative professionals, as well as with other IFT staff members and/or local IFT leaders;

h.   Planning  and  implementing  grassroots  legislative  campaigns  in  support  of  IFT
legislation.

II.  POLITICAL ACTION
Assume primary responsibility for organizing IFT efforts in assigned campaigns, including:

a.   Assisting with candidate recruitment;

b.  Consulting with candidates and campaign managers to develop winning campaign strategies;

c.   Developing and implementing plans to involve IFT members and staff in targeted races;

d.   Assisting with the production of campaign literature for IFT or general campaign use;

e.   Working in campaign activities as directed;

f.   Assisting with IFT campaign fundraising activities;

g.   Assisting with public opinion or internal organizational opinion research activities.

III. OTHER ACTIVITIES
a.   Work under the direction and supervision of the Director of Political Activities;

b.   Attend IFT and AFT meetings and workshops as assigned;

c. Assist in IFT Convention programs as required;

d.   Carry  out  assignments  directed  by  the  IFT  Executive  Board,  President,  or  Chief
Operating Officer;

e.   Work on out-of-state AFT assignments as required.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

To apply, please send a letter and current resume no later than Tuesday, July 23, 2013 to:

Nancy Garcia
Human Resource Information Manager
Illinois Federation of Teachers
500 Oakmont Lane
Westmont, IL 60559

(630) 468-4080 (office)
(630) 468-4089 (fax)

PLEASE NOTE:  The IFT does not pay the cost of any expenses incurred in the interview process, or any expense incurred in relocation when employment requires a change in residency.