Associate Program Officer: Domestic Policy Analyst

Department: Office of Government Relations, Washington D.C.
Date Posted: 5/7/2008
Closing Date: 5/28/2008

Job Description

Represent, under the direction of the Director of Government Relations, the domestic public policy positions adopted by the Episcopal Church’s General Convention and Executive Council, and the ministry of the Presiding Bishop, to policy makers in Washington, including the White House, the Congress, Episcopal institutions and networks, visiting Anglican and Episcopal leaders, the ecumenical community, and public interest organizations so that the Church has a direct presence and ability to advocate its positions to those who make or are concerned about government policy.

Position Summary

Represent Church policies to government leaders, devise and execute legislative and communication strategy, propose and monitor federal legislation, write public policy statements and letters for Presiding Bishop, train Episcopalians nationwide in public policy advocacy, build coalitions to support policy priorities, and work with the media.

Job Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following.  Other duties may be assigned.

• Represents the public policy positions adopted by the Episcopal Church’s General Convention and Executive Council, and the ministry of the Presiding Bishop, to policy makers in Washington, including the White House, the Congress, Episcopal institutions and networks, visiting Anglican and Episcopal leaders, the ecumenical community, and public interest organizations so that the Church has a direct presence and ability to advocate its positions to those who make or are concerned about governmental policy.
  
  
• Assist the Director in devising and executing legislative strategies in order to effectively communicate the Church’s position to government policy makers and impact federal policy decisions.  This includes meeting directly with government policy makers as well as assisting the public ministry of the Presiding Bishop and other bishops and leaders to policy makers through congressional testimony, visits, letters, and telephone calls.  It also necessitates analyzing and, when appropriate, proposing federal legislation to ensure the maximum influence of the Church’s public policy positions on U.S. policy.
  
  
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Episcopal Members of Congress and congressional staff, Episcopal members of the Administration and White House, and other government policy makers who are connected to the Church.
  
  
• Interface with media (print, radio, television, and other) to communicate Church’s policy positions.
  
  
• Help train, organize and mobilize Episcopalians and Episcopal organizations at the grassroots to facilitate their engagement with government policy makers and strengthen the Church’s influence on government policy.
  
  
• Build and mobilize coalitions of organizations, both religious and secular, in support of the Church’s policy priorities.
  
  
• Direct and manage work of interns or consultants as assigned.
  
  
• Research and prepare written reports regarding domestic policy consistent with the concerns of domestic public policies.
  
  
• With the Director of Government Relations, propose specific public policy initiatives, based on the Church’s domestic-policy positions, to the Director for Advocacy, the General Convention, and Executive Council, to ensure the role of the Church as an advocate for justice and peace in national policy.
  
  
• Participate in staff meetings and collaborate with the staff of the Advocacy Center and the other three mission centers of the Episcopal Church to develop and implement effective strategies to communicate the Church’s positions to the U.S. government and assist others in public policy work.
   

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position helps supervise interns and/or consultants who periodically work for the office.

Qualifications -- Education, Experience, and Skills

• Minimum of B.A. in political science or related degree.
• Minimum 3 years of direct hands-on legislative experience at the state or federal level.  In-depth knowledge of the U.S. government and the federal policy making process, such as experience as an elected or appointed official at some level of government, Congressional staffer, Executive Branch official, or government relations representative.
• Demonstrated interest in public policy issues, both foreign and domestic.
• Commitment to represent positively and effectively the positions of the Episcopal Church.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to communicate effectively in many different formats.
• Knowledge of grassroots advocacy techniques and promotion.
• Competency in word processing software/suites, spreadsheets and databases.
• Ability to research complicated policy matters and communicate them clearly to Episcopal constituencies.

Work Environment

Standard work environment for a Washington, D.C., government relations office.  Longer hours are occasionally required. This position requires moderate travel. The position has been classified “Exempt”

Salary and Benefits

Salary is commensurate with experience and provides a generous benefits package. Episcopal Church Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively seeks applications from members of protected groups.

How to Apply

To apply, submit a cover letter with salary requirements and a resume to eccjobs@episcopalchurch.org and indicate in the subject line “APO: Domestic Policy Analyst”. Please, no telephone inquiries. Qualified applicants will be contacted.