Job opening: Legislative Director, NJ Working Families, Newark NJ

[Hannah Taube]

please post the following for 30 days, thanks!

New Jersey Working Families Legislative Director

Have a passion for policy, activism AND maneuvering the inner workings of policy making at the state and local level?

Job Description:

NJ Working Families seeks a detailed oriented, team playing legislative director with strong organizing and policy development skills.  The role is a unique opportunity to utilize organizing skills and lobbying abilities in order to help identify, create and capitalize on policy proposals that further the interest of working families through the annual budget process, workplace policies and voting rights, amongst others.

 

Candidates for the position must be motivated by a deep commitment to social justice and building power for working people.  This position has sometimes long and irregular hours depending on campaign needs and the work can be fast-paced and varied from day to day.  Ideal candidates will be self-starters and able to work in a self-directed environment while at the same time having the ability to work well with a team.  This position involves travel and candidate must have a car and valid driver’s license.  Candidate will also be required to secure a NJ lobbyist badge and maintain reports of all lobbying activities.  Spanish language proficiency is desirable, but not required for the position.

 

Duties of the Legislative Director will include:

Legislative

NJ Working Families is an independent, grassroots political party focused on bread and butter economic issues that matter to working people.  We fight for good jobs, health care for all, fair taxes, quality schools and affordable education.  The Legislative Director will be the key contact for

 

• Train and prepare volunteer lobbyist in support of organizational campaigns
• Prepare and present testimony on behalf of the organization during legislative hearings, forums and meetings.
• Provide State Director with legislative reports and memos on a timely basis.
• Create and disseminate white papers and reports for legislative advocacy use.
• Assist with overall WFA lobbying efforts.

 

Better Choices Campaign Responsibilities

Better Choices for New Jersey is a campaign managed by Working Families Alliance centered on the following principles:

We need a balanced approach to New Jersey’s fiscal crisis instead of simply relying on short-sighted cuts to services working families rely on.

Our state’s fiscal crisis is the result of the global recession as well as years of irresponsible and short-sighted decisions in Trenton.The current crisis is too severe to be addressed with only one approach. We can’t cut our way out of a multi-billion dollar budget gap without compromising the very services that working families rely on in difficult times.

 

Key duties:

• Convene and staff meetings of the Better Choices Partners in coordination with key stakeholders within NJ WFA
• Identify and 1-1 possible partners and stakeholders
• Plan and execute energy building actions and events in support of Better Choices campaign work
• Work in coordination with NJ WFA Canvass Director in order to identify opportunities for    synergy between NJ WFA canvass program and Better Choices campaign

 

Media and Communications Support

Organizational Legislative Director will support the overall communication and media plans of the organization by identifying opportunities and creating events and actions that carry forth the message and goals of the organization.

• Work closely with the NJ WFA Communications Director as well as the NJ WFA State Director on all aspects of multiple legislative campaign’s communication plan.
• Assist in the cultivation of contacts with the traditional media and identify opportunities in coordination of NJ WFA Communications Director in order get stories/op-eds/LTE’s placed in local publications about ongoing legislative campaigns
• Help coauthor blog posts, OpEd’s and policy pieces on behalf of the organization and ongoing campaigns.

General

• Attend WFA state committee meetings, prepare meeting notes.
• Assist with the creation of organizational systems such as list/data management and legislative/ budget tracking
• Work cooperatively with NJ WFA affiliates and partner organizations.
• Motivate volunteers and hold them accountable.
• Communicate campaign and other pertinent information to NJ WFA stakeholders and fellow staff.

 

Salary

Salary for this position is commensurate with the candidate’s level of relevant professional experience. A competitive benefits package includes health, dental, vision, and life insurance and matching contributions into a 401(k) retirement plan, plus ample paid time off. Opportunities for advancement, travel, and additional training are available.

 

To Apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to njwfa...@workingfamilies.org  with subject line “NJ Legislative Director.”

The Working Families Organization is an equal opportunity employers with a commitment to economic and social justice. Women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and members of other historically disenfranchised populations are strongly encouraged to apply.