Legislative Associate (1-year term)

About the Green New Deal Network (GNDN)

GNDN unites diverse national organizations and allied local coalitions across states, tribal nations, and in commonwealths & territories to win local, state, and federal Green New Deal legislation. The GNDN members are working in concert to build a powerful organizing, policy, and political campaign to demand and win bold change.

Overview

The Legislative Associate supports the development of federal, state, and local Green New Deal legislation in deep collaboration with allied congressional offices, state coalitions, and the GNDN team, researches moving bills and amendments, and tracks and drives developments on Capitol Hill. The Legislative Assistant builds and maintains expertise in key areas of climate justice policy and works closely with certain priority state coalitions to win legislation. This position reports to the Legislative & Political Director. 

GNDN is constantly shifting and adapting based on the campaigns our staff team and coalition pursue, and we expect that the responsibilities assigned to this position will do so as well.

This is a full-time, one-year term position with the possibility of extension. This position is based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. 

Essential Functions

Congressional Legislative Organizing and Campaigning (40%)

• Independently track key federal legislation, amendment processes, and committee hearings
• Cultivate and maintain good relationships in key target states and congressional districts
• Develop and review  toolkits, legislative templates, and other resources that support campaigning for GND policies and implementation of policy wins
• Attend and report on hearings and legislative committee meetings
• Represent GNDN on aligned coalitions and serve as the legislative liaison
• Partner with  allied organizations and coalitions to build support for existing GND-aligned legislation
• In coordination with the L&P Director, collaborate with GNDN staff across teams  to support the work of the GNDN’s legislative campaigns
• Support the development of new bills and resolutions in line with the mission of the GND
• Actively engage coalition members and external allies to meet tight legislative deadlines and monitor progress at the direction of the L&P Director
• Assess and analyze bills, regulatory actions, Supreme Court cases, and executive orders relative to policy priorities of GNDN

Coalition and Partnership (20%)

• Support network members and state tables on legislative organizing, including towards achieving equitable and just distribution of federal funds
• Develop and review  templates, guidance, and other materials that support state-level campaigning and legislation from climate, jobs, and justice
• Provide general membership assistance to GNDN partners and support expanding relationships with allies and other relevant organizations, including but not limited to climate, racial, and economic justice organizers and organizations developing legislation
• Contribute to developing a culture of transparency, collaboration, and joy across the staff team and coalition

State and Local Legislative Organizing and Campaigning (20%)

• Work with state and local organizers to build power with elected officials
• Transfer gold-standard state and local policies to new legislators and locales
• Support state campaigns on legislative matters, including bill analyses and research

Legislative Research (10%)

• Digest and visibilize federal investments, grant programs, and other legislative opportunities and priorities for other staff and coalition members
• Draft memos, one-pagers, and other materials to support legislative strategies and campaigns in partnership with the L&P Director
• Develop, review, and disseminate research resources for coalition members

L&P General Support (10%)

• Manage team-specific and team-led trainings and advocacy and legislative lobbying efforts
• Coordinate internal and external meetings and events for the L&P team
• Support org-wide initiatives such as contributing to the GNDN newsletter and EOY reports
• Perform other duties as assigned; the omission of specific duties does not preclude the L&P Director from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Required Experience, Skills, and Characteristics

• 1.5+ years experience on Capitol Hill or a state house developing policy in conversation with those most impacted;
• Strong grasp of the legislative and political landscape specific to the core issues of climate, workers' rights, and racial and environmental justice;
• Strong political commitment to the vision and promise of the Green New Deal
• Strong policy analysis skills;
• Comfort working coalitions and across a diverse set of people and organizations;
• Comfortable with building accountable organizational relationships based on mutual trust, performance, and benchmarks;
• Excellent communication skills: listening, speaking, and writing;
• Attention to detail and commitment to exceptional quality of work;
• Ability to juggle and complete multiple complex activities at once and comfort turning around work on fast deadlines;
• Demonstrated commitment to progressive values including but not limited to racial justice, gender justice, LGBTQIA justice, and other marginalized justice;
• Experience working with, and demonstrated understanding of, the specific nuances associated with Indigenous peoples, communities of color, and grassroots movement coalitions

Preferred Experience, Skills, and Characteristics

• Familiarity with inside/outside political strategy;
• Expertise in energy, labor, transportation, or agriculture policy;
• Familiarity with community organizing networks, climate justice organizations, or past national policy campaigns

Salary and Benefits 

The salary range for the Legislative Associate, depending on experience, is $71,000-$86,000. The GNDN provides a generous benefits package, including health, vision, and dental insurance; vacation, sick, and personal time off; a retirement plan; and various other benefits.

Location and Work Conditions

This position is remote; however, applicants must be based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region. This position is expected to work Monday through Friday, 10 am - 6 pm ET, but hours are flexible. This position requires 10-25% travel for work-related responsibilities and needs. 

To Apply

For this position, we are looking to hire a candidate available to start by mid-/late-November 2023 at the latest. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Submit a cover letter and resume (saved as a single PDF attachment). 

Please reach out to jobs@greennewdealnetwork.org if you experience technical difficulties submitting your application or need a reasonable accommodation to complete the application, interview, or some other portion of the selection process for a job at Green New Deal Network (with the subject line "Application Accommodation").

Equity Statement

The Green New Deal Network is an equal opportunity employer committed to racial, economic, and social justice. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQIA+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws. We are committed to a diverse workplace and supporting our staff with ongoing career development opportunities.