Legislative Representative/Generalist

Are you passionate about economic fairness and social justice?

Do you want to improve the lives of working people and strengthen the labor movement? If you answered, “Yes!” then the AFL-CIO may be the right place for you. We are the largest federation of labor unions in the United States, and our team of dynamic professionals is dedicated to growing worker power and ensuring every working person has a voice on the job. When you work at the AFL-CIO, you’re more than just an individual employee—you’re helping to lead a movement with a proud history and a bright future ahead.

Advocacy Hub

The Advocacy Hub is responsible for advocating public policies at the federal, state, and local level, with a special focus on Congress and the Executive Branch. The Department covers a wide range of economic and social issues and works closely with other AFL-CIO Hubs/Resources and with our affiliates to identify key legislative and regulatory priorities.

Legislative Representative/Generalist

The Legislative Representative/Generalist is responsible for communicating to members of Congress and their staff the views of the AFL-CIO on these issues and works closely with other AFL-CIO departments, affiliates, and other allied organizations to formulate comprehensive legislative strategies on these issues. The Legislative Representative may also be called upon to participate in the AFL-CIO’s state and local government advocacy work.

The Legislative Representative works under the supervision of the Director of Advocacy and works in coordination with the respective program hubs.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Technical Skills:

• Lobby congress on a wide range of economic and social issues, with a particular focus on pension security: both defined benefit and defined contribution plans, including monitoring of the PBGC, ERISA Advisory Group, and ESG-related legislation and rulemaking. Coordinate and guide affiliate lobbying, together with the AFL-CIO on issues of mutual interest in the above areas and, as needed, deliver testimony and make public speaking appearances.
• Develop material on issues in forms appropriate for Washington lobbying as well as for grassroots lobbying, including AFL-CIO policy letters, fact sheets, and legislative updates.
• Respond to requests for information and provide technical assistance as required to Congressional members and staff, the Administration and department/agency staff, affiliate union departments and members, the media, education institutions, national and local organizations and the general public.
• Conduct briefings on issues for hill staff, assist Congressional members and staff in preparation for hearings and markups.
• Analyze legislation and prepare written materials for use by Congressional members and their staff, the Administration and department/agency staff, and AFL-CIO staff as required.

Liaison

• Represent the AFL-CIO in a variety of public settings including at congressional hearings, conferences, meetings with Members of Congress and congressional staff, appropriate government agencies, educational institutions, and before other allied organizations.
• Coordinate efforts with relevant AFL-CIO departments, affiliate unions and outside organizations at both the local and national level.

Reporting

• Keeps the director fully informed on a regular basis on issues affecting lobbying activities.
• Prepares and submits regular and ad hoc reports on legislative activities as required.

Other

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• A bachelor’s degree with at least 5 – 7 years of lobbying experience at the national or local level, or 5 -7 years of experience on Capitol Hill.
• Knowledge of the labor movement; actual experience working for a union is highly desirable.

Skills

• Must be able to effectively articulate the AFL-CIO’s position on issues and be able to negotiate the resolution of differing points of view within the labor movement and on Capitol Hill.
• Demonstrate effective ability to lead people and get along well with a wide variety of people.
• Strong interpersonal skill, including experience in convening and managing working groups of affiliates, state and local central bodies and others involved in legislative activities.
• Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent public speaking skills, including demonstrating the ability to appear before large groups.
• Proficiency in Internet-based research, word processing, and email programs.
• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in politically sensitive and high-pressure environments.
• Ability to work independently within the context of a plan.
• Flexibility to travel as required in performance of duties.
• Ability to work long and irregular hours when needed.

Starting salary: $114,357.55

Please include a cover letter

Apply here: AFL-CIO Job Application

Equal Opportunity Employer