Government Affairs Director Jobs

FLSA STATUS:

Exempt

LOCATION:

Washington, D.C.

HIRING RANGE:

$101,760 to $122,760, depending on experience.

About UFW Foundation: For 17 years, the UFW Foundation has mobilized farm workers across the country to advocate for more equitable policies, such as immigration reform, pesticide protections, heat standards, hazard pay and other worker protections. We engage constituents in systemic change to break the cycle of poverty while also providing critical services. In fact, the UFW Foundation is the largest federally accredited immigration legal service provider in rural California. The organization has staff in California, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, and Michigan.

SUMMARY: The primary responsibilities of the Government Affairs Director are to engage in research and communications to advance policy solutions that shift power and resources to farm workers. This position will drive a legislative agenda that wins immigration reform, leads policy changes to workers’ rights and climate change and other polices to create equity under the law for farm workers. A supporting responsibility is to assess the shifting legislative environment at the national level and oversee the teams that will advance farm worker power. This position reports to the Chief Communications & Advocacy Officer. This position will be located in Washington, D.C. as meetings on the Hill would likely be frequent.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (This is not an exhaustive list)

Strategic Support and Project Management

• Design and lead strategy for political stakeholder engagement and support on legislative campaigns.
• Provide leadership on external relations and response preparation.
• Review policy language and keep UFW Foundation staff informed of legislative and policy priorities.
• Direct ongoing monitoring and analysis of proposed legislation, emerging issues and trends that may impact farm workers.
• Drive the UFW Foundation's policy agenda through thought leadership, political acumen and deep understanding of our model and outcomes.
• Design, create, and maintain government affairs tools, trainings, and resources for internal staff.
• Work with the organizing and communications teams to ensure government implementation of new farm worker protections.

Advocacy and Lobbying

• Advocate for specific policies by contacting legislators, testifying before legislative committees, or organizing advocacy events.
• Work with legislators and other stakeholders to develop support for bills that align with the organization’s mission.
• Lead the development of legislative language for new policies proposed.
• Note that this position will likely require registering as a lobbyist.
• Develop and maintain relationships at all levels of government agencies.
• Ensure constituents are prepared for legislative meetings and actions.

Staff Management and Development

• Accomplish program results by ensuring strong and consistent communication with staff; providing ongoing coaching and counseling to staff; planning, monitoring, and evaluating team members’ work; conducting training and staff development opportunities; and implementing and enforcing organizational and department policies and procedures.
• Work closely with the Organizing Director who will manage teams that coordinate grassroots and grasstops lobbying campaigns.

Organizational and Administrative Duties

• Responsible to help acquire appropriate sources of funding for targeted campaign plans.
• Prepare and submit timely external lobbying registrations and reports required by state and federal law and monitor internal lobbying expenditures to ensure the organization is compliant.
• Participate in annual Operational Planning for the UFW Foundation and sister organizations as appropriate.
• Present monthly reports using Management by Objectives and Results (MOR) process.
• Compile Systemic Change reports for Executive Director, Executive Team, Board of Directors, and sister organizations’ leadership as appropriate.
• Prepares department budget for review and approval by supervisor and CFO.
• Integrate Systemic Change planning with other departments from the UFW Foundation.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

May supervise one to four direct staff. The Government Affairs Director may serve as the principal substitute for the Chief Communications & Advocacy Officer in their absence.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES:

Oversee farm worker organization staff on legislative priorities; help build a vision of effective federal and state advocacy for a larger farm worker movement.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND/OR QUALIFICATIONS:

The ideal candidate for this position must have a high level of professionalism and organization. The candidate must demonstrate competency in the following areas:

• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Capacity to work independently within the context of an overall plan and structure.
• Si Se Puede (It Can Be Done) Attitude. The embodiment of a personal spirit that promotes confidence, courage and risk-taking.
• Dedication to Mission. A genuine interest in immigrant and farm worker rights.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
• Collaboration. Ability to work with teammates in a professional and solutions-oriented manner. Demonstrated ability to work with a diverse group of people in various settings.
• Experience planning and executing training sessions and programs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both Spanish and English.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized four-year college or university; and
• At least 5-7 years management or leadership experience—leading team efforts.
• At least 7-10 years significant and progressively responsible experience in directing legislative campaigns and analysis of federal policy/legislation, budget analysis, and advocacy; experience working with the public; and commitment to the mission of the farm worker movement are required.
• Substantial writing experience is required.
• Knowledge of multi-state legislative work and federal governmental structure, legislative and regulatory processes and state and federal budget process is required.
• Experience working with the public; and commitment to the mission of the farm worker movement are required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Must be familiar with computer programs such as Microsoft Word, Access, Excel, etc. Requires a valid Class “C” Driver’s license.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS, EDUCATION, AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Graduate or law degree.

COMPENSATION:

The annual salary range for this position is, $101,760 to $122,760, and benefits include:

• Employer-sponsored pension plan
• Flexible schedules and/or work arrangements
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee discounts through UnionPlus and Lifemart
• Access to health, dental and vision benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403(b) retirement plan with 2% employer match
• Professional development opportunities and access to thousands of online courses
• Accruals of 2, 3, and 4 vacation weeks per year depending on tenure, along with 16 paid holidays and 1 mental health day
• Life insurance