Legislative Advocate

General Description
The California Teachers Association (CTA) is one of California’s largest and most dynamic labor unions. The Governmental Relations Department influences state legislation and agencies, and coordinates with the National Education Association on advocacy with the federal government. Knowledge of and experience with union organizing campaigns; an ability to build strong support for CTA goals; and a deep commitment to the labor movement and public education are paramount.

As part of the CTA legislative team, the successful applicant will provide detailed information and expert analysis on complex issues on behalf of California’s public schools and our members. The Legislative Advocate will have an exceptional ability to influence public policy and help organize membership participation in assessing and supporting CTA’s advocacy with state government.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Act as a legislative and regulatory representative for the CTA.
• Prepare supportive data, rationale and testimony for appearances before committees of the legislature and governmental agencies and/or boards.
• Interpret and build support for the CTA legislative and regulatory program through oral and written communication with legislative committees, government agencies, individual legislators, CTA members and lay and professional groups.
• Work cooperatively with other organizations and their representatives to build support for the CTA legislative and regulatory program.
• Work with appropriate CTA Regions/Departments, CTA State Council committees, other committees, and CTA chapters as assigned.
• Coordinate programs such as CTA’s liaison program regarding State Agencies, Boards, et al and other assigned governmental relations and CTA programs.
• Build relationships between CTA, labor unions, lawmakers, community organizations, and other advocacy groups that are beneficial to CTA’s objectives.
• Stay informed about legislative priorities, economic forecasts, and policy changes that impact state budget negotiations.
• Coordinate communications of departments efforts with leaders and staff involved in assigned projects.
• Coordinate appropriate training programs for CTA statewide and regional conferences, the member lobby program, and volunteers involved in assigned projects.
• Maintain effective communications with all involved parties of interest regarding a continuous evaluation of assigned projects and programs.
• Consolidate and prepare reports on assigned projects and programs.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Governmental Relations Associate Executive Director and/or the CTA State Executive Director or their designee manager.

Qualifications - Minimum Required

• Bachelor’s or higher degree preferred.
• Understanding of and familiarity with the complexities of the legislative, budget, and regulatory process.
• Deep understanding of the issues facing the public schools and the education profession.
• Demonstrated support for racial, social, and economic justice; worker's rights; and a well-funded public education system.
• Adaptable and flexible. Able to adjust seamlessly and effectively to changing factors and conditions that impact CTA campaigns, projects and other union programs.
• Experience in fast-paced campaigns situations, including contract campaigns, strikes, political campaigns and/or legislative/regulatory campaigns.
• Experience in organizing and campaigning, with relentless drive to proactively surpass campaign/program goals under pressure and with the tenacity to tackle challenges head-on in a dynamic and rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret, develop summaries, and communicate complex data to those less familiar with the technicalities of the legislative and regulatory process.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other people.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, to exercise good judgment under conditions of stress and to maintain effective work for prolonged periods of time.
• Computer proficiency and the ability to learn and use the Association's software programs to communicate legislative and regulatory information internally and externally.
• Ability to work and travel regularly, including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid California driver’s license.

* This position is in a bargaining unit represented by CSO. Salaries are established by a collective bargaining agreement. Step placement is also determined by the CTA/CSO Agreement.