Description

Position Summary:

Legislative Director (LD) oversees all issue areas as designated and assigned. The primary role of a LD is to serve as an advocate for the California Restaurant Association (CRA) and the restaurant community before the Legislature, the Governor, other elected officials, regulators and administrative bodies with the overall purpose of promoting a favorable legislative and regulatory environment for the restaurant community and accomplishing the CRA’s policy goals. This position reports directly to the Senior Vice President, Government Affairs & Public Policy.

Issue Areas: ADA/Disability Laws, Civil Justice, Environment, General Business, Healthcare, Labor/Employment, Tax, Worker’s Compensation/Workplace Safety. (NOTE: Other issue areas may be assigned.)

Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

(NOTE: This is a partial list; ad hoc duties, including but not limited to non-essential duties deemed integral to success of CRA and/or food service community, may be assigned.)

• Advocate on behalf of the CRA and restaurant community with the overall purpose of proactively improving and promoting a favorable legislative and regulatory environment and defeating or changing unfavorable legislation or regulations;
• Develop good understanding of issue areas, the legislative process, the restaurant community, the CRA members, and the potential effects of regulatory and legislative proposals on the restaurant climate;
• Must have good understanding of political process and develop understanding of individual politics of elected officials.
• Directly engage on all legislative, regulatory, and administrative activities in designated issue areas;
• Analyze and develop arguments for or against proposals identified as affecting the restaurant industry, including but not limited to legislative, regulatory, and administrative actions;
• Develop comprehensive and effective lobbying strategies and execute lobbying strategies in advocating the CRA’s policy position(s);
• Work closely with Legislators, the Governor’s office, regulators/administrative bodies, other elected officials, and their staff;
• Carry out duties consistent with those of registered lobbyists;
• Legislative jurisdictional areas of coverage include all relevant legislative committees relating to designated issue areas and/or any legislative committee that may consider proposals related to designated issue areas;
• Regulatory and administrative jurisdictional areas of coverage are all relevant state and local agencies, departments and commissions relating to designated issue areas and/or that may consider proposals related to designated issue areas.
• Work closely with others in CRA Government Affairs & Public Policy Department to accomplish CRA’s advocacy goals and assist in coordinating events;
• Work closely with others within the lobbying community and industry and develop working coalitions with other restaurant industry representatives and employer trade associations or other organizations.
• Effectively lobby via written and oral advocacy including but not limited to drafting position papers, persuasive writing/correspondence, and public speaking/testifying in legislative and public hearings.
• Provide general support and backup lobbying support to SVP as directed/needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, communications or related field required (Masters degree or advanced degree preferred);
• Two to five years of state level lobbying work required - working as a California registered lobbyist (five years minimum preferred); or similar duration as Capitol staff;
• Good understanding of California’s legislative, regulatory and administrative process and good understanding of the potential effects of regulatory and legislative proposals;
• Good understanding of designated issue areas from working experience, education, or combination of both, required;
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills and advocacy skills;
• Must be willing to routinely speak in public hearings and settings; 
• Ability to multi-task, meet deadlines and work in a fast-paced and political environment;
• Must register with the state of California for professional governmental advocacy.
• Must be a self-starter and able to work independently as well as part of a team.

Communication Skills:

• Proven ability to advocate and effectively present information in one-on-one situations, group situations and public speaking engagements, including elected officials and staff, regulators, industry audiences, CRA members, potential members, colleagues, and other employees of the organization.

Other Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent multi-tasking, administrative, computer and organizational skills;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required;
• Be a team player and show a commitment to excellence;
• Ability to apply common sense understanding, good judgment, written and oral logical reasoning, and carry out detailed written or oral instructions.

Physical Demands and Traveling:

• Job requires a great deal of walking and standing (for instance, frequent walking trips to the State Capitol/Swing-Space building from CRA headquarters; standing at hearings, etc.);
• After hours work is necessary and frequent at times (for instance, given the Legislature’s schedule/workload and/or evening work related events);
• Moderate statewide travel may be necessary.
• Out-of-state travel may be necessary at times.

Work Environment:

• Work environment includes the State Capitol building/swing-space and CRA headquarters. Environment is busy and fast-paced.

(Please note management reserves the right to change, modify, and/ or alter any of the duties listed above to meet business demands).