Legislative Affairs Associate

### SUMMARY

UnidosUS is seeking an Associate of Legislative Affairs in its Washington, DC office. This position, which supports the Legislative and Political Affairs Department within the Policy and Advocacy component of UnidosUS, is responsible for assisting the legislative and political affairs team in our collective work with policy experts to advance UnidosUS’s legislative and policy goals on Capitol Hill. Working with a diverse group of federal lobbyists and issue area experts and advocates, the goal of this position is to help implement a legislative agenda that results in positive outcomes on behalf of the Latino community.

The legislative and political team works with other teams internally, UnidosUS contractors, members of Congress and their staff, and with partners/allies externally. UnidosUS offers a collaborative, team-based environment that fosters a culture of ideas and debate. We approach our work from multiple perspectives and methods, understanding both the specific issues and the larger interrelated systems. This position will work closely with other members of our policy, communications, special events, and Affiliate engagement teams.

**The Legislative Affairs Associate will report to the Senior Director of Legislative Affairs. This position is hybrid and is based in Washington, DC.**

Please note: Only those applicants who submit a cover letter along with a resume will be considered for this opportunity.

**Salary: $49,400-$55,620**

### Essential Functions

– Draft, manage, and/or deliver various communications to the Hill, including letters to lawmakers, vote recommendations, press quotes, outreach to Hill staff, public speaking, and meeting invitations, etc.
– Represent UnidosUS in meetings on the Hill, including hearings and mark ups, take careful and complete notes on highlights, noting strategic implications, and report back to appropriate colleagues within the organization to inform our collective legislative advocacy.
– Design and execute plans in collaboration with colleagues and allies for congressional and Capitol Hill events (including briefings, workshops, and other education, advocacy, and relationship-building activities).
– Prepare reports related to the work of legislative affairs, including, but not limited to, our weekly, monthly, quarterly, and lobbying reports.
– Assist in monitoring of legislation, breaking news, and in monitoring and drafting social media around our policy priorities and key policymakers and lawmakers at the federal level.
– Master use of the software that tracks our congressional engagement and provide support for the legislative team’s use of it, including by logging congressional engagements, relevant activities, progress on policy issue areas, key Hill relationships and producing summary reports.
– Support members of the legislative, political, and policy teams in their work to educate and advocate with members of Congress about our policy priorities, including through appointment setting, meeting preparation, staffing, and reporting of internal and external meetings.
– Preparation and distribution of email blasts, Hill updates, newsletters, and communications about legislation, the Hill landscape, and policy priorities internally and within our network.
– Perform other duties as assigned.

### Qualifications & Requirements

**Education and Experience**
– Bachelor’s degree.
– 5 years’ related experience in a setting or settings that focused on and advocated for federal policy.
– Experience with Congress, including the legislative process, congressional operations, and culture.
– Excellent verbal and written skills and ability to synthesize and process information for multiple audiences.
– Ability to work well as part of a team, with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
– Skill and competence in working independently, under pressure on multiple projects, and with the ability to prioritize multiple demands on your time.
– Proficiency in Microsoft programs.
– Experience with legislative databases.
– Ability to master congressional tracking software.
– Strong attention to detail, task oriented, with good time management skills to meet deadlines.
– Demonstrated commitment to Latino civil rights issues and awareness of the policies that impact Latinos and their families.

**Desired Qualifications**
– Capitol Hill experience.
– Bilingual (English and Spanish) ability.

### Skills and Abilities

– Steadfast commitment to UnidosUS mission, vision, and values: Excellence, Accountability, Respeto.
– Commitment to U.S. Latino community, Latino non-profit organizations, and the Latino market.

### Competencies

– Analytical–Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.
– Written Communication–Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
– Ethics–Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
– Oral Communication–Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
– Problem Solving–Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
– Strategic Thinking–Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands organization’s strengths & weaknesses; Analyzes market and competition; Identifies external threats and opportunities; Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
– Motivation–Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
– Professionalism–Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

### Physical Demands and Work Environment

– Able to work well independently and remotely.
– Ability to spend time on the Hill and work in a hybrid environment.
– Accurately complete detailed forms and reports.
– Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.
– Sit for long periods of time.
– Utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read technical information, and/or use a keyboard.

### COVID-19 Considerations

– All employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

### ABOUT US

UnidosUS, previously known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico, UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels. For more than 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our community stronger. For more information on UnidosUS, visit www.unidosus.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Employment with UnidosUS is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screen.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.

Learn more here