Department: Governmental Relations

Job Location: 1001 K Street, 5^th Floor, Sacramento, CA

Reports To: CEO

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Grade:

Confidential Status: Confidential

Supervises

Director of Policy and Advocacy

Legislative Analyst

Position Summary

Under broad supervision, develops, coordinates, communicates, and implements the association’s state and federal policy goals.  Based upon input from CASBO membership, develops and communicates the policy priorities and positions on proposed legislation, legislative issues, and policies to influence opinion in favor of public education.  Provides regular feedback and information to the membership regarding proposed and enacted California State and Federal policies and regulations affecting public education.  This position requires extensive working knowledge of the California state legislature, state administration, and federal legislative and administrative processes.

Essential Functions

1. Provides strategic oversight of CASBO’s government relations work and is responsible for the advancement of CASBO’s mission and goals with local, state, and federal elected officials.
2. Establishes through the CASBO Legislative Committee short- and long-term goals, objectives, and plans that are implemented and monitored for effectiveness through the legislative process.
3. Directs, develops, and represents the CASBO position on bills, issues, and policies through public testimony and private meetings with government officials.
4. Responsible for the development and expansion of CASBO’s Advocacy Network.
5. Contacts individuals, groups, and organizations with similar interests to coordinate strategies around common interests.
6. Communicates regularly with CASBO membership through public addresses, written and verbal legislative updates, news articles, reports, speaking events and other materials relating to legislation/issues and related to CASBO governmental relations activities.
7. Monitors, researches, analyzes, and drafts all CASBO position statements, correspondence, documents, bill language, and amendments relating to governmental issues.
8. Supervises departmental staff; ensures a competent, motivated staff through hiring, training, counseling, supervising, and reviewing performance of employees. Through clear communication will set goals and timelines for staff deliverables.
9. Assists in the planning of a variety of meetings on a frequent basis, including meetings with standing and ad hoc committees, workshops and seminars.  Drafts documents and materials, contacts and books speakers, and performs follows up activities with attendees after events.
10. Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Pubic Administration, Communications, or related field. Advanced degree preferred
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible governmental relations work experience, including experience as a policy director and/or lobbyist.
• Knowledge of current public education issues and concerns; the law, policies, and procedures of the major policy and program areas within the area of assignment.
• Ability to analyze, understand and communicate to members California State’s k-12 budget.
• Knowledge of California and Federal laws, policies, and requirements on educational issues.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and local government organizations.
• Knowledge of the legislative process, effective legislative advocacy procedures, methods, ad techniques.
• Ability to quickly predict, analyze, and respond to and strategize political factors affecting state decision making process.
• Ability to quickly analyze, evaluate, and respond to legislative and regulatory proposals, complex data, and other information on educational issues and legislation.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, using diplomacy, cooperation, judgment, and tact.
• Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to hire, train, and discipline employees; appraise employee performance, reward and discipline employees, address employee relations complaints and resolve problems.
• Demonstrated leadership, project management, team building, confidentiality, and time management skills.
• Ability to quickly draft effective speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.
• Ability to create and present effective and persuasive presentations on controversial or complex topics to governmental leaders, public groups, and/or board of directors in a timely manner, often on short notice.
• Computer literacy including advanced use of spreadsheet software, word processing, database, and internet applications.  Use of Microsoft Office Suite preferred.

Certificates Required

• Valid California Driver’s License
• Registration as Lobbyist with Secretary of State
• Lobby Ethics course every two years

Physical Requirements

• Sitting for extended periods of time.
• Keyboarding.
• Viewing computer monitor requiring close vision.
• Standing and walking for extended periods of time.
• Extended periods of time speaking in public.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a business office environment.  Long distance travel, approximately 15 times per year is required.  Frequent travel to other local sites is required.