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Legislative Advocate 2

Description: 
Individuals who are Deaf or Disabled are encouraged to apply.   SALARY RANGE (Depending on Experience): $63,063 - $84,513 annually   Employment Status: Regular, Exempt, Full-Time   LOCATION: Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland, Remote within California   WHO WE ARE Disability Rights California (DRC) is a statewide, non-profit legal organization dedicated to advancing the rights of Californians with disabilities.  DRC works to achieve fairness and justice for people with disabilities through individual and impact litigation, state and federal policy and regulatory advocacy, and community education and training.   PURPOSE OF THE JOB The Legislative Advocate 2 is part of the legislative unit for Disability Rights California (DRC) and is responsible for legislative advocacy activities. The Legislative Advocate 2 identifies, monitors, and advocates legislative activities that affect Californians with disabilities.   JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Essential functions are the job responsibilities an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. Legislative Advocate 2 essential functions include: -      Draft and advocate on a combination of two to four priority bills and/or budget items, including DRC-sponsored legislation. -      Represent DRC through the legislative process: advocate, consult, and negotiate with legislators and their staff, committee consultants, administrative department heads, and their staff and other stakeholders involved. -      Analyze and develop policy recommendations on 30 to 60 bills related to mental health and other policy areas and two to three budget proposals per legislative year. Collaborate with other legal and advocacy staff as determined by the Director of Public Policy. -      Draft position letters and amendments on 20 to 40 complex bills and two to three budget items per legislative year. Testify as appropriate at legislative committee hearings. -      Work with DRC staff and Board of Directors to develop guiding principles applicable to legislation and state budget items relevant to people with disabilities and DRC. -      Engage in advocacy activities at the Capitol and within the disability community on issues of importance to the disability community. -      Act as a liaison and representative of DRC with selected agencies, task forces, committees, coalitions and community-based organizations related to areas of responsibility. -      Act as a liaison to Disability Rights California legal practice groups and provide legislative support and backup for the groups. -      Organize, train, and develop easy to understand materials on complex legislative matters for California grass roots constituencies to understand and respond to state and national issues and legislation. -      Work with Communications Director to identify legislative matters for the media, assist with developing press releases, and other press related materials.    Other Duties -      Participate in outreach activities with diverse and underserved communities and populations, as assigned. -      Limited travel, as assigned. -      Perform other duties, as assigned.   TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS Ability to travel occasionally for activities such as out-of-town meetings, training, or outreach activities up to 25% of the time.   WORKING CONDITIONS The following describes general working conditions and requirements of the job, which can be performed with or without disability related reasonable accommodations. Duties are generally performed in an office environment and also in the State Capitol, in legislative offices and public hearing rooms. Work areas are often noisy. Duties frequently require sitting, standing, talking and/or listening and possibly stooping, kneeling, and crouching. Weights to be lifted and/or moved up to 10 pounds are occasionally encountered. Must be able to transport oneself to work-related meeting, centers, etc.
Requirements: 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience -      A BA or BS degree in a relevant field plus at least one year of experience as a legislative staffer or advocate. -      One year additional experience in any of the following areas: 1) legislative advocacy or legislative staffing; 3) community organizing; or 4) advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. -      Experience reviewing, analyzing and lobbying with the state budget process. -      Experience working with a variety of organizations and individuals with diverse perspectives, the public, elected and appointed officials, people with disabilities, and governmental agencies, especially at the state and local levels. -      Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally. -      Ability to analyze complex problems, develop solutions, and explain legislation so it is easily understood by people at the legislature and the general public. -      Experience in using word processing systems.   Licenses / Certificates -      Must be a registered lobbyist or become registered within 60 days of employment. -      Must attend Lobbyist Ethics Course.   PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS -      J.D. or advanced degree in related fields such as political science, public administration or other subjects that provide foundation for legal analysis, lobbying and drafting of legislation for people with disabilities. -      Expertise in public policy affecting people with mental health disabilities. -      Bilingual: Spanish, American Sign Language or an Asian language. -      Experience working with civil rights groups or legal services programs. -      Experience as staff working with board of directors and/or similar task forces and committees. -      Experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons with disabilities and/or experience working with and/or sensitivity to persons from multi-ethnic communities. -      Life experience as a person with a disability or direct experience as a caregiver of a family member with a disability. -      Experience with CapitolTrack or other legislative tracking platform.

Information

Submission Deadline: 
November 30, 2021
Organization Information: 
Disability Rights California
1831 K Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
United States
Phone: 916-504-5910