SEIU Local 503
In It Together

Political and Policy Strategist

Based in Portland, OR

 

General Description:
With shared vision and purpose, we will drive organizational change and effectiveness through a focus on staff and team development, accountability, and equity and inclusion. The Political & Policy Strategist will design and lead campaigns around policy objectives in the legislature and administrative arenas. These campaigns will be cross-departmental (internal, external, political, communications, and research).

Essential Functions & Responsibilities:

• Organizing (internal and external); political action; training and education; work effectively with other staff, CAPE Council, SEIU Oregon State Council and member activists in performance of their responsibilities.
• Work with union leadership and political director in the development and implementation of the political and legislative agenda and priorities; work with political director to develop budget for political and legislative program; participate in planning and implementing political action inside and outside workplaces, including policy analysis; participate in external coalition activities, and in training of members, as needed.
• Work with other political staff, contract lobbyists, and other consultants to coordinate in-the-capitol lobbying activity. Work with political director and internal and external teams to guide grassroots lobbying program. Manage the relationship with contract lobbyists and other consultants supporting legislative program. Work with political director to oversee member lobby days program.
• Engage in union’s candidate electoral program. Hold relationships with legislative electoral allies. Support efforts in non-legislative candidate campaigns and on ballot measure campaigns.
• In coordination with union field and communications departments, set up and maintain communication systems for distribution of information and materials for organizing political action. Assist in preparation of materials for internal and external political action. Motivate members to get involved in the union’s political program and recruit leader activists.
• Participate directly in political action, such as door-to-door canvassing, phone banking, issue campaigns, candidate campaign assessment and targeting, informing development of questionnaires, voter registration, get-out-the-vote drives, fundraising, signature gathering, and more.
• Design and lead campaigns around policy objectives in the legislature and administrative arenas. These campaigns will be cross-departmental (internal, external, political, communications, and research). The policy will be in the area of public sector workers and state budgets.
• Develop, analyze, and research public policy particularly as it relates to growth opportunities.
• Represent the union in community coalitions around these campaigns and strengthen these relationships.
• Engage members and non-members in our policy program and work with external and internal organizers to engage them in the development and execution of the campaign.
• Represent the union in political campaigns, by working with candidates, designing campaigns, and working with members.
• Assisting in development of the union’s political program.
• Lobbying elected officials and government agencies.
• Researching needed campaign background and preparing needed materials.
• Supporting the union’s overall political program as needed.
• Creating and crafting policy that leads to a long-term plan to improve the lives of Oregonians and our members in the area of public workers and private non-profits.
• Collaborating with the political director and other program/department directors to develop policy initiatives.
• Creating and implementing plans to pass campaigns using coalitions, member engagement, community engagement, research, and policy.
• Leading multi-departmental strategic campaigns.
• Leading a team that works to implement the plans and strategic campaigns.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Position requires knowledge of public policy affecting our members, organizing experience, and lobbying experience.
• Lobbying experience should include experience drafting legislation, coordination of in-the-halls lobbying campaigns and grassroots lobbying campaigns, maintenance of ongoing relationships with legislators, preparation and delivery of testimony, experience with policy analysis, an understanding of communications and field support for lobbying campaigns, and an understanding of budgets and the budgeting process.
• Experience managing relationships with contract lobbyists and other consultants.
• Experience as a lead staffer.
• Experience working with coalitions and working to mobilize the community in campaigns.
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of personalities and organizations and under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize work and carry it through to conclusion without close supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work with political campaigns and provide expertise on message and field in campaigns.
• Possess an understanding of the political structure and process.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Speaking experience before large and small groups.
• Capable of using computer and various software packages.
• Ability and stamina to work irregular and long hours and attend weekend and evening activities.

Working Environment:

☐  Group 1 - Requires performing instant or sustained arduous physical activity
☒  Group 2 - Requires occasional lifting and exertion for short periods
☐  Group 3 - Very Limited Physical Exertion

Office and fieldwork involving travel to all areas of the state - sometimes with overnight stays - in a variety of environmental conditions. The workweek is Monday through Friday plus weekend work when specifically assigned. The workday may begin before and extend beyond normal office hours depending on the demands of the assignment.

Technology and Equipment:

• Operation of an insured motor vehicle
• Telephone
• Copier
• Camera and/or Video camera and system
• Computer Software: (Word, Excel, PageMaker, FileMaker Pro, etc.)

Pay and Benefits:
Comprehensive fully paid health, dental and vision benefits for employee and eligible dependents, domestic partner benefits, generous holiday and vacation policies and a 15% employer-paid defined contribution 401K. Compensation range is based on experience $79,320 - $117,876 annually.

Summary:
We are committed to hiring staff who reflect our membership and model the unity and equity that we seek to create in Oregon communities. Women, LGBTQ, people of color, and immigrants strongly encouraged to apply.

To Apply:
Send cover letter and résumé to Arturo Rodriguez Flores, Recruitment Strategist, rodriguezfloresa@seiu503.org.