JOB TITLE: Legislative Director
PROGRAM: State-Federal Affairs
LOCATION: Washington, D.C.-Hybrid
SALARY: $99,067 annually
STATUS: Full-time
ABOUT NCSL:
Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful – strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission. NCSL has a flexible remote work policy. Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month. The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
A Legislative Director may serve as the lead staff person helping state legislators develop policy on state-federal matters. This includes workforce, economic development to include miliary bases, and the arts, and carrying out lobbying strategies to implement the conference’s policy. The position requires substantial and demonstrated independence, initiative, and political sensitivity to operate effectively on behalf of NCSL and state legislatures. This position requires substantial knowledge and state-federal policy expertise in the assigned committee's jurisdiction, intergovernmental policy processes, as well as contacts in key organizations. Work often is performed independently, though political and policy strategies are developed in close consultation with senior liaison and management staff. The position reports to the vice president of state-federal relations.
WHAT YOU’LL DO:
- Identifies, monitors, analyzes, and interprets the full range of congressional and federal agency actions and policies that affect state governments and develops information to alert legislators and legislative staff about the potential policy, fiscal and program implications.
- Writes clear, appropriate, accurate and effective informational and lobbying documents (e.g. testimony, action alerts, information briefs, amendments, background memoranda, and policy papers) for the full range of audiences including state legislators and legislative staff, congressional and agency policymakers, with understanding and an accurate exposition of the state legislative perspective.
- Provides information and assistance to state legislators and legislative staff in policy and program areas within assigned policy area.
- Develops, plans, and coordinates balanced relevant programs for the committee and effectively manages committee activities, including guiding the policy process within the committee and aiding legislators in identifying and setting priorities, as well as developing policy.
- Maintains an extensive and expanding network of contacts in the states, among state legislators, at the committee and subcommittee level in Congress, and within other public interest groups, the private sectors and federal agencies.
- Works effectively in coalitions, helping to promote NCSL positions and enhance opportunities for implementation of state legislative concerns.
- Develops lobbying strategies and identifies opportunities for NCSL to affect its policy positions. Articulates and interprets NCSL policy in negotiations with other groups and represents state legislative concerns in a variety of forums.
- Coordinates work with other NCSL staff and assists in identifying opportunities for new products, services, or grants.
- Plays a leadership role on internal task force or working groups to help coordinate NCSL programs and activities.
- Performs other responsibilities as needed.
SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:
Supervisor/Management Responsibilities:
A Legislative Director may have supervisory responsibilities.
THE WORK ENVIRONMENT: This full-time position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. NCSL provides a unique hybrid remote work policy with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. Employees routinely use standard office equipment such as laptops, printers, scanners, copy machines, and smartphones. Occasional travel by airplane, including overnights and weekends, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
