DC: NEA seeks an Associate Director of Government Relations

[Jobsthat areleft]

The National Education Association (NEA) is America’s oldest and
largest organization committed to advancing the cause of public
education. Headquartered in Washington, DC, NEA proudly claims more
than 3 million members devoted to the following mission: to advocate
for education professionals and to unite our members and the nation to
fulfill the promise of public education, by preparing every student to
succeed in a diverse and interdependent world. Our vision is a great
public school for every student. We strive to improve the quality of
teaching, to increase student achievement, and to make schools safer
and better places to learn.
NEA seeks an Associate Director of Government Relations. NEA’s
Government Relations Department supports the Association’s efforts to
strengthen public schools, colleges, and universities through federal
legislation and policies. The Associate Director reports to the
Director of Government Relations.
Responsibilities:
• Develops, maintains and strengthens key relationships with both
Congressional and Executive branch leadership to gain influence in
seeing legislation and regulations that advance the interests of NEA
members, as well as those of NEA and its affiliates.
• Maintains current knowledge of policy issues and their implications
and advocates around those issues to policy makers, outside
organizations, and coalitions. Communicates with staff, governance,
and members, as well as serves as an Association spokesperson, when
appropriate, about current issues.
• Coordinates with NEA policy departments within the Center for Great
Public Schools and the Center for Advocacy to develop model
legislation and resources to help maintain strong state affiliates and
to ensure collaboration with other NEA departments in furtherance of
the Association’s strategic goals and core services.
• Forecasts events or trends at both the state and federal levels that
impact policy making, predict legislative behavior, and explain the
impact of these trends to staff and governance to assist decision
making.
• Serves as a member of NEA’s Center for Advocacy management team;
participates in the development and administration of the
Association’s strategic plan/initiatives/core services and budget;
provides leadership to a coordinated and integrated federal and state
legislative agenda for the NEA.
• Coordinates closely with the organization’s political and PAC staff
regarding federal candidate recommendations, and advises and guides
association leaders and staff in policy and strategic decision making.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Relevant graduate degree and/or certification preferred.
• A minimum of seven years of NEA state association or equivalent
experience required, with at least one year of management-level
experience preferred.
• Significant and extensive experience as an advocate within an
organization for public, parental and business support for public
education.
• Significant and extensive experience as a public advocate for an
organization in legislative, political and media forums.
• Significant and extensive experience reading, writing, and
interpreting legislative language.
• Significant knowledge of K-12 education policy issues, with
additional knowledge of higher education issues preferred.
• Proven ability to direct, coordinate, coach, mentor, motivate,
delegate, and supervise staff effectively through a collaborative
approach.
• Extensive leadership and collaboration skills that produce effective
results with a vision for dynamic and progressive programs that meet
the needs of a changing association.
• Proven expertise in developing and implementing cooperative
partnerships with state affiliates and other key organizations.
• Effective skills in supervision, decision-making, oral/written
communications, policy analysis, interpersonal relations, team
building, and collaboration.

Applications are now being accepted. Internal applicants must apply
by May 29, 2012. External applicants may apply until the position is
filled. Interested candidates should apply online as soon as possible
at www.nea.org/jobs. A résumé, writing sample, references and written
test are required of all applicants.

The National Education Association is an equal opportunity/affirmative
action employer and encourages women, minorities and persons with
disabilities to apply.




--
JobsthatareLEFT
Courtney Sieloff, Principal
Washington DC

jobstha...@gmail.com
@jobsthatareleft
http://groups.google.com/group/jobsthatareleft