DEADLINE: Open until filled. Applications should be received by December 31, 2018 to be considered for the first round of interviews.
SALARY RANGE (Depending on Experience): $57,585-$77,169
SUMMARY
The Legislative Advocate 2 is part of the legislative unit for Disability Rights California (DRC) and is responsible for legislative advocacy activities. The Legislative Advocate 2 identifies, monitors, and advocates legislative activities that affect Californians with disabilities.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Legislative Advocate 2 essential functions:
Legislative Advocacy – 100%
- Draft and advocate on a combination of two to four priority bills and/or budget items, including DRC-sponsored legislation.
- Represent DRC through the legislative process: advocate, consult, and negotiate with legislators and their staff, committee consultants, administrative department heads, and their staff and other stakeholders involved in the.
- Analyze and develop policy recommendations on 30 to 60 bills and two to three budget proposals per legislative year, collaborating with other legal and advocacy staff as determined by the Legislative Director.
- Draft position letters and amendments on 20 to 40 complex bills and two to three budget items per legislative year. Testify as appropriate at legislative committee hearings.
- Work with DRC staff and Board of Directors to develop guiding principles applicable to legislation and state budget items relevant to people with disabilities and DRC.
- Engage in advocacy activities at the Capitol and within the disability community on issues of importance to the disability community.
- Act as a liaison and representative of DRC with selected agencies, task forces, committees, coalitions and community-based organizations related to areas of responsibility.
- Act as a liaison to Disability Rights California legal practice groups and provide legislative support and backup for the groups.
- Organize, train, and develop easy to understand materials on complex legislative matters for California grass roots constituencies to understand and respond to state and national issues and legislation.
- Work with Communications Director to identify legislative matters for the media, assist with developing press releases, and other press related materials.
Other Duties
- Participate in outreach activities with diverse and underserved communities and populations, as assigned.
- Limited travel, as assigned.
- Perform other duties, as assigned.
TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to travel occasionally for activities such as out-of-town meetings, training, or outreach activities up to 25% of the time.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- A BA or BS degree in a relevant field plus at least one year of experience as a legislative staffer or advocate.
- One year additional experience in any of the following areas: 1) legislative advocacy or legislative staffing; 3) community organizing; or 4) advocating for the rights of people with disabilities.
- Experience reviewing, analyzing and lobbying with the state budget process.
- Experience working with a variety of organizations and individuals with diverse perspectives, the public, elected and appointed officials, people with disabilities, and governmental agencies, especially at the state and local levels.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
- Ability to analyze complex problems, develop solutions, and explain legislation so it is easily understood by people at the legislature and the general public.
- Experience in using word processing systems.
Licenses / Certificates
- Must be a registered lobbyist or become registered within 60 days of employment.
- Must attend Lobbyist Ethics Course.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- J.D. or advanced degree in related fields such as political science, public administration or other subjects that provide foundation for legal analysis, lobbying and drafting of legislation for people with disabilities.
- Expertise in one or more areas of public policy affecting people with disabilities.
- Bilingual: Spanish, American Sign Language or an Asian language.
- Experience working with civil rights groups or legal services programs.
- Experience as staff working with board of directors and/or similar task forces and committees.
- Experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons with disabilities and/or experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons from multi-ethnic communities.
- Life experience as a person with a disability or direct experience as a caregiver of a family member with a disability.
- Experience with State Net or other legislative tracking platform.
If you are interested in becoming a part of DRC, please submit the following to https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/who-we-are/join-us/open-positions :
1) Online Disability Rights California Application Form
2) Your resume
3) Cover Letter. We need a workforce that can utilize insights and strategies that can come from both professional and personal experience. In your cover letter, please tell us about yourself and why you are a great fit for this position and for DRC.
4) Sample of legal writing (i.e., a legal argument, letter or analysis) consisting of no more than 10 pages of text.
Disability Rights California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, age, religion, race, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability. Disability Rights California endorses and supports the intent of the Americans with Disabilities act of 1990 (ADA) and the California Fair Employment and Housing act (FEHA) and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities who are applicants or employees who need accommodations.