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Position: Senior Legislative Associate
Location: Washington DC
Post Date: April 2, 2009
Closing Date: Open until filled.
About the Center for Community Change
The Center for Community Change is a national social justice non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1968 to honor the life and values of Robert F. Kennedy, we are one of the longest standing champions for low-income families and communities of color. Throughout our history, the Center has strengthened the leadership, voice and power of low-income communities nationwide to confront the vital issues of today and build the social movements of tomorrow.
Our work has contributed to the creation of the food stamps program, the enactment of the Community Reinvestment Act, the growth of community development corporations, and the creation and preservation of affordable housing. Today we are leading efforts to advance fair and humane immigration reform, increase voter participation in communities of color and develop the next generation of social justice organizers. The Center has brought the issues and values of low-income communities to the forefront of the political debate with presidential candidate forums in the 2004 and 2008 election cycles. For further information please visit our website at: www.communitychange.org.
Position Description:
The Senior Legislative Associate will play a key role in helping to plan and implement the legislative priorities and strategy for the Center and for the Campaign for Community Values. S/he will be part of the Policy Team at CCC which is responsible for working with other CCC staff and partner organizations to advance CCC's legislative agenda before Congress and the Administration.
The Senior Legislative Associate should ideally have experience relevant to one or more of the Center's priority issue areas (immigration, health care, and policies impacting low-income families and low-wage workers), including staying abreast of Committee actions, building a reliable network of Hill contacts, and planning legislative strategies.
Principal Responsibilities:
- Track national, state and local policy activities relevant to CCC priorities.
- Keep CCC partner groups updated on relevant legislative developments.
- Represent CCC positions to partner organizations, policy makers and their staff, among others as necessary.
- Develop and disseminate relevant information to national and local partners, policy makers, the media and communities.
- Develop and strengthen relationships with the Administration and Congress.
- Help coordinate CCC and partners' activities on Capitol Hill, including lobbying, setting up Congressional meetings for partners, preparing partners for meetings, testimony or other activities.
- Conduct research and strategic analysis in support of grassroots initiatives to impact national, state and local policies.
Qualifications:
- Experience in the national policy making process, which may include experience as a policy analyst on Capitol Hill, academic research or community work around issues of importance to low-income communities.
- Experience working with community organizing groups and their constituencies on policy campaigns, specifically related to communicating complex policies to grassroots constituencies and assisting grassroots organizations in developing effective issue campaigns.
- Willingness to accept guidance and direction from grassroots organizations and organizers engaged in health policy reform efforts.
- Willingness to travel to meet one on one with organizers at partner organizations.
- Commitment to CCC's mission of helping low-income people develop the power and capacity to improve their communities and bring about broader social change.
- A fundamental understanding of the federal and state legislative process is required, as well as demonstrated ability to execute relevant tasks throughout the process (particularly, legislative and political strategy development.)
- Experience and comfort working as a part of a multi-disciplinary team, able to contribute based on expert knowledge or otherwise, as needed.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills are a must.
- The ability to produce consistent, quality work in a fast-paced environment is essential.
This position reports to: Legislative Director
Salary & Benefits: CCC offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.
Closing Date of Position: Open Until Filled
Submit resume and cover letter with salary expectation and two writing samples to:
Center for Community Change
Human Resources
Senior Legislative Associate
Center for Community Change
1536 U Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
(Fax) 202-387 4892
