Job Description

America needs a counterweight to powerful interests and the undue influence they exert in our political system. Consider the financial reform debate in Congress: Wall Street CEOs spent more than $1,000,000 a day on a payroll of nearly 2,000 lobbyists, attempting to block or water down key provisions of the reform bills. Or consider the role of the insurance industry in spreading misinformation about the health care law recently signed by President Obama.

WashPIRG serves as that counterweight. We are part of the U.S. PIRG network, which is active in many states around the country. Through our advocacy, organizing, media exposés and litigation, westand up to powerful interests that too often pursue their own narrow agenda at the expense of the public interest. We conduct investigative research and write reports. We advocate for new laws and other protections at the state and federal levels. When we take on tough opposition, we organize the public and the political support needed to win. With a statewide network of supporters and activists, a staff of experts and organizers, and a national office in Washington D.C., we deliver victories, often incremental, but always moving the ball forward. Read about our current priorities at www.washpirg.org.

Job Description

WashPIRG is seeking an advocate for our Seattle office. There are plenty of important, timely issues on which to focus our energy and expertise. Now that health care reform has passed, we will work to make sure the state implements the law right, in a way that best protects consumers. After the U.S. Supreme Court’s ill-advisedCitizens United vs. SEC decision, we’re working to make sure that shareholders have a greater say in whether corporations dip into their coffers to heavily influence—one might say determine—elections. We’ve also recently helped to achieve victories that will reduce chemicals in consumer products, especially toys and other children’s products, but there’s more to do and we’re leaders in the a coalition pushing to do it. And the list goes on.

The roles the WashPIRG advocate will play include:

• Issue Expert: Research problems and develop comprehensive platforms for solving them.
• Political Strategist: Frame the problem, the solution, the strategy and the tactics for winning. Formulate campaign strategies and create action plans.
• Advocate: Lobby for and testify on behalf of consumers before the Washington Legislature and other state and federal decision-makers.
• Researcher: Write reports documenting problems and promoting solutions.
• Coalition Builder: Build relationships with other organizations, elected officials, businesses, agency staff, and various groups with shared interests in an issue.
• Communications and Media Expert: Cultivate relationships with key reporters and editorial staff at major newspapers, television and radio stations across the state. Organize news conferences and editorial board meetings, and write news releases and op-ed pieces on a regular basis.
• Legislative Drafter: Draft bills and amendments to them.
• Grassroots Organizer: Work with our statewide network of organizers and activists to generate grassroots pressure for policy solutions.
• Organization Builder: Raise money for the organization and key projects from foundations and individuals, and recruit and train staff. Help keep administrative and organizational systems in place.

While much of WashPIRG’s work centers on the legislative arena, advocates take their issues to whatever forum offers the best hope of winning results. In addition to lobbying decision makers, advocates initiate lawsuits, testify at administrative hearings, and file shareholder resolutions. Further, as part of a network of hundreds of advocates, organizers, attorneys and non-profit professionals across the country, WashPIRG advocates share resources and expertise with a large network of organizations, helping to build a stronger public interest movement nationwide.

Accomplishments

WashPIRG worked in Olympia and Washington, D.C., to protect consumers from toxic chemicals found in everyday products. As part of the U.S. PIRG network, we helped pass the health care reform that was signed this spring. Though not perfect, the health care reform law includes many of our key recommendations for addressing soaring health costs. Read more about our recent accomplishments here: http://www.washpirg.org/results

Qualifications:

• Three or more years of relevant post-college professional experience, including work in political, policy, legal, journalistic or government settings. Advanced degrees, including a J.D. or masters in related fields, may count toward a candidate's professional experience.
• Proven leadership skills and the initiative it takes to go from an idea to a bill to a new law.
• Good team builder – must be able to motivate and recruit needed allies and collaborate with others inside and outside our organization.
• Strong verbal and written skills.
• Desire to build a stronger organization and the willingness to devote time to organizational matters.
• Commitment to WashPIRG’s mission and goals.

Salary & Benefits

Salary is commensurate with candidates’ relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees that a candidate possesses. We offer a competitive benefits package that includes health care coverage, educational loan assistance, a retirement plan, paid vacation and sick days, and parental leave. Opportunities for advancement, travel, and additional training are available.

Location

Seattle, Washington

Application

Please apply online at http://www.uspirg.org/jobs/about/applicationexp. Direct your application to Steve Blackledge, the Regional Director for WashPIRG.. Please specify that you are applying for the WashPIRG advocate position, and be sure to mention where you saw our job advertised. In addition, please let us know if you wish to be considered for other positions with other state PIRGs. We’ll carefully consider your application, and if we think you’re a good fit, we’ll be in touch.

WashPIRG is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, sex, handicap, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or veteran status.