Legislative Advocate

### ABOUT CSEA

The California School Employees Association represents over 250,000 school employees who work in 750 school districts in California. They provide support services to school children as para-educators, administrators, food service, bus drivers, nurses, and skilled employees in grounds, maintenance, and operations. CSEA is the largest classified school employee union in the AFL-CIO. If you are passionate about serving our communities, schools, and members, then CSEA may be the place for you!

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

### DEFINITION

To perform a variety of advanced-level professional duties involved in representing the Association as a lobbyist and legislative advocate to State Legislature and Executive agencies of the State Government; to participate in legislative and political campaigns and grassroots programs as directed; and to represent the Association’s legislative and political interests before organizations, the media, and school personnel.

### SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives direction from the Director, Governmental Relations and the Assistant Director, Governmental Relations.

### EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
– Develop legislative posture on bills before the legislature; review bills before the legislature; recommend or reject bills for approval or rejection by the membership of the Association; provide testimony to legislative, budgetary, and administrative hearings.
– Analyze state education budgets; identify and develop budget issues affecting classified employees; interpret the impact of budget and other legislation on classified employees.
– Research, analyze, draft, and lobby for all Association-sponsored legislation.
– Participate in legislative and political campaigns and grassroots programs as directed.
– Meet with Senate and Assembly committees, Senators, Assembly members, staff, and the Governor’s office to develop support or opposition to legislation.
– Negotiate with diverse special interest groups, legislative groups, and administrative groups to reach compromises.
– Attend and participate in press conferences, media events, rallies, and related events as directed.
– Represent the Association on various boards, committees, task forces, and the like as directed.
– Stay current with new trends, innovations, current events, and laws impacting the Association or its members.
– Stay current with all proposed and introduced legislation, Executive Orders, state agency regulatory action, and the like affecting schools and/or school employees; notify field staff of current legislative issues/events.
– Participate in the development of Association communications, including governmental relations monthly report, legislative report, legislative alert, bulletins, and action plans.
– Interview, evaluate, and recommend Association endorsements for State Senate, State Assembly, State Constitutional Officers, and Congressional candidates as directed.
– Assist in planning and conducting staff training.
– Participate in the Association’s political campaigns.
– Consult with Director, Governmental Relations, and Assistant Director, Governmental Relations as required on Association Governmental Relations matters; keep Director, Governmental Relations and the Assistant Director, Governmental Relations informed of the overall performance and results for the activities and matters of particular interest and importance.
– Assist with Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) quarterly reporting requirements and ensure all advocacy activities comply with the law and FPPC regulations.
– Provide responsible staff assistance to the Director, Governmental Relations, and Assistant Director, Governmental Relations; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.
– Attend fundraisers for Association-endorsed candidates as needed.
– Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

### QUALIFICATIONS

#### Knowledge of:
– Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes, and regulations, including funding formulas, revenue sources, and general purpose.
– FPPC lobbyist ethics and the legislatures’ lobbyist code of conduct.
– Current and pending legislation and court decisions relating to the rights and obligations of Association members, leaders, and staff.
– Principles and procedures of the legislative process, including committee structure, roles, and procedures.
– Principles, procedures, and techniques of legislative advocacy.
– Theories, principles, and practices of collective bargaining and dispute resolution.
– Negotiating theory, tactics, and alternative styles and processes for reaching agreement in interest disputes.
– Current and historical trends in the administration of institutions of primary, secondary, and post-secondary public education.
– School district budgeting principles.
– History, mission, functions, and goals of the Association and of the American Labor Movement.
– Principles, procedures, and techniques of research and investigation.
– English usage, style, vocabulary, and syntax.
– Principles of mathematical and statistical computations.
– Political organizing and campaigning.

#### Ability to:
– Prepare clear and concise reports.
– Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
– Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints.
– Demonstrate initiative, creativity, and exercise independent judgment in the performance of duties.
– Remain calm and think clearly under pressure.
– Research, analyze, and evaluate information.
– Interpret and apply Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
– Evaluate the political situation quickly and accurately.
– Effectively negotiate with legislators.
– Develop and prepare effective legislation for the Association.
– Operate effectively as a legislative advocate for the Association.
– Provide leadership and guidance in the development and execution of the Association’s legislative program and political activities.
– Apply knowledge of public employee labor relations law, the legislative process, and school finance effectively in a variety of situations.
– Present, represent, and interpret Association policy, procedures, and programs to the legislature, membership, and staff.
– Recruit, train, and motivate volunteers and coordinate election campaign tasks.
– Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
– Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
– May be required to register as a lobbyist with the Secretary of State.

### Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

#### Experience:
Four years of increasingly responsible experience as an advocate, preferably a legislative advocate before government entities at the state level, and representing public employees.

#### Training:
Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in business administration, political science, law, public administration, or a related field.

#### License or Certificate:
Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

The salary range for the Legislative Advocate is $88,200 – $128,303. Starting salaries are typically at the first step on our salary range. Consideration may be given for exceptional qualifications and experience. We offer 18 paid holidays, 3 weeks vacation to start and 5 weeks after 7 years, medical benefits for you and your family, life insurance coverage, and a pension plan.

### To Apply

Go to [www.csea.com/careers], upload your resume, and write a cover letter that tells us why this ad caught your eye and why we should hire you as our next Legislative Advocate! Only applications on our website will be considered.