Legislative Advocate

Position Title: Legislative Advocate

Position Location: Washington, D.C.

The Center for Popular Democracy is seeking a Legislative Advocate. This is a full-time, exempt position. 

About CPD + CPDA

The Center for Popular Democracy and CPD Action (together, CPD/A) work to promote equity, opportunity, and a dynamic democracy in partnership with innovative base-building organizations, organizing networks and alliances, and progressive unions across the country. We work with nearly 50 affiliates in over 30 states and Puerto Rico to build the strength and capacity of democratic organizations that envision and advance a pro-worker, pro-immigrant, racial and economic justice agenda. We are a rapidly-expanding, changing organization that partners with organizations across the country to build political power and win tangible victories that improve the lives of low-wage workers, immigrants, and communities of color.

About the Position:

We are seeking a Legislative Advocate who will work closely with CPD/A and affiliate staff to provide substantive and logistical support for the network’s federal advocacy and policy priorities. This position will help track federal policy from conception through state-level implementation in order to help CPD/A and its affiliates achieve key policy goals. COVID depending, it is expected that the Legislative Advocate will attend in person meetings and events with CPD/A affiliates and partners.

We estimate that candidates will have about 6 years of relevant experience, but our review of candidates for this role will focus on whether they can fill the needs of the position, not years of experience.

This position will report to the Co-Director of Advocacy and Mobilization.

Primary Responsibilities

The Legislative Advocate will:

• Help implement the vision, strategy, and tactics for the CPD/A network’s federal advocacy work, in collaboration with the Advocacy and Mobilization Team, CPD/A staff and affiliates;
• Support the Hill Champions program, including coordinating trainings; and providing logistical support for Champions in the planning and organizing of actions and other activities both in Washington, DC and in-district; 
• Support state-level campaigns focused on implementation of landmark federal policies like the American Rescue Plan Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and Inflation Reduction Act by helping to research and draft explanatory materials, coordinate webinars for affiliates, and field specific questions from affiliates on the details of implementation in their state;
• Coordinate and help prepare affiliates and CPD/A staff for meetings with key policy decision-makers at the federal, state and local levels;
• Provide substantive and logistical support for the planning and implementation of CPD/A network activities to advocate, including national lobby days, congressional briefings, participation in congressional hearings, and other key tactics needed to win campaigns;
• Work with senior staff to track legislative and regulatory proposals and policies that impact CPD/A’s federal agenda;
• Work with the A&M Team to draft issue briefs, congressional updates, letters to Congress/the Administration and action alerts for CPD/A staff and the network;
• Support convening and outreach to a cohort of CPD/A affiliates focused on federal strategy and advocacy;
• Provide research and drafting support for the  development of an updated federal policy agenda.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have:

• Significant experience in issue campaign and organizing work, including four years of supporting advocacy/lobbying in either state or federal government;
• Experience working with grassroots organizations and in diverse communities;
• Experience working across departments or teams within an organization;
• Success as an independent, self-motivated leader with an ability to drive projects to completion;
• Experience communicating policies to a wide variety of audiences, including policymakers and legislative staff, the public, and grassroots organizers;
• COVID depending, occasionally travel and attend in-person meetings with CPD/A affiliates and partners;
• Spanish language skills preferred, but not required;
• A demonstrated commitment to social, racial, and economic justice and a deep understanding of challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, communities of color, disabled people, LGBTQ+ folks, and people at the intersections of the above communities.

Salary and Benefits:

This position is included in a collective bargaining unit represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild. Specific employment terms are subject to a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Salary under the CBA will be determined according to a salary scale that takes into account years’ experience, location, job category, and other factors, but is expected to be $65,000-$75,000 and category 2. The Collective Bargaining Agreement is available here.

We have a generous benefits package, including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, 15 vacation days your first year, 10 sick days per year, 13 paid holidays per year, and contributions to individuals’ 401K plans.

CPD/A is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and actively recruits people of color, womxn, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTIQAA+ community.