Director of State Legislation ASPCA Remote GA

Profile

Posted: Aug. 15, 2022

| Application Deadline:

Sept. 12, 2022

Title

Director of State Legislation

ASPCA

Remote

Georgia

About Us

The ASPCA was founded in 1866 on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment by humans and must be protected under the law. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than two million supporters nationwide, the ASPCA is committed to preventing cruelty to dogs, cats, equines, and farm animals throughout the United States.

The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, where we maintain a full-service animal hospital, spay/neuter clinic, mobile spay/neuter and primary pet care clinics, a rehabilitation center for canine victims of cruelty, kitten nursery, adoption center, and two community veterinary centers.

The ASPCA also operates programs and services that extend nationwide. We assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary community through research, training, and resources.

At the ASPCA, we are committed to fostering a collaborative and compassionate culture and we welcome all voices to contribute to our lifesaving mission. Our staff represent a vast array of backgrounds and diversity dimensions, bringing with them valuable experiences and perspectives. They join the ASPCA to learn, grow, and continually do their best work on behalf of animals. We are inspired by our staff, partners, and the communities we support across the country who work to improve animal lives. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the ASPCA because it elevates our organizational culture, aligns with our Core Values, and enables us to move further and faster toward the ASPCA’s vision – that all animals live good lives; valued by society, protected by its laws, and free from cruelty, pain and suffering.

Summary

In a dynamic and challenging legislative environment, the ASPCA requires an individual committed to ensuring that Georgia lawmakers do not overlook animal welfare public policy needs. The Director of State Legislation will be responsible for developing and advocating for the implementation of priority policy in Georgia. The director will accomplish this by working with the Senior Director of State Legislation for Government Relations’ Southern Division to seek out opportunities to advance and/or defend against priority policy proposals at both the state and local level, as well as working with the state legislative team to identify and implement strategies to achieve goals. In addition to working with fellow Government Relations colleagues, the position requires collaboration with other internal staff resources as well as external partners to proactively achieve established policy goals.

When not attending meetings or otherwise conducting necessary work travel, the Georgia director of state legislation will work from a home office located within 50 miles of the state capitol in Atlanta, Georgia.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Policy Development/Strategy (Approximately 70%)

Carry out state legislative strategies consistent with ASPCA’s philosophy and strategic goals; promote and implement tactics to achieve legislative goals

Research, develop, and work with legislative counsel to draft legislation to strengthen legal protections in public policy regarding animals

Read legislation and critically analyze its impact on animal welfare

Participate in weekly discussions with state legislative team regarding activities and policy work being advanced across the country

Integrate and coordinate state legislative strategies with other ASPCA departments and activities

Participate in regular meetings with policymakers, lobbyists, regulatory staff, grassroots staff, and interns

Work with relevant staff on filing state lobbying reports

Attend and participate in panels at national conferences with other department staff as needed

Ensure adequate tracking and movement of legislation in Georgia pertaining to animals

Operations/Communication (Approximately 20%)

Inter-departmental Communication: Work closely with ASPCA Legal Advocacy & Investigations to ensure the legal strength of proposed legislation and analysis of bad policy proposals

Intra-departmental Communication: Participate in regular conversations with other state directors as well as federal team members to ensure proper workflow and to connect appropriate staff to issues encountered in Georgia

Cultivate positive, productive and enduring working relationships with members of legislature and their staff as well as with both traditional and non-traditional allies

Represent the ASPCA in a professional, courteous, and congenial manner while lobbying and negotiating with legislators and their staff to support or oppose legislation and implement campaigns to secure passage or defeat

Work with Southern Division Senior Director, Vice President of State Affairs, and Communications staff to ensure that the tone and accuracy of materials sent out from Government Relations to the public is consistent and supportive of legislative objectives

Assist in the research, preparation and delivery of state-specific training and presentations and, along with other ASPCA staff, conduct outreach programs to law enforcement agencies, animal control agencies, shelters, animal welfare organizations, and other organizations

Special Projects (10%)

Provide projects as needed for interns

Participate in internal working groups as needed to facilitate policy development and provide guidance to other departments

Participate in planning for department’s involvement in national tradeshows and exhibits as needed

Exemplifies the ASPCA’s Core Values

Has Commitment and dedication to improving the lives of animals

Demonstrates Ownership and feels responsible for outcomes

Believes in Team – that we are stronger together

Seeks to Elevate others and reimagine what is possible

Focuses on Impact, specifically making change for animals

Qualifications

A strong ability to build and maintain relationships with legislators, their staff, and other stakeholders important to the achievement of identified policy goals

Ability to analyze, interpret, and determine the significance of legislative proposals

Solid understanding of the legislative process, the committee structure, leadership positions, procedures, and political and cultural trends

Knowledge of and ability to develop and draft complex legislation

Knowledge of animal welfare issues and laws

Ability to strategize and provide effective support for political/legislative initiatives

Strong lobbying, writing, and media skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Highly organized with attention to detail

Ability to prioritize responsibilities, manage time well, and address time-sensitive projects in a professional and responsible manner

Commitment to work on animal protection issues

Ability to balance passion for issue with appreciation of incremental nature of legislative process

Education:

Bachelor’s degree required

Experience:

5 years of experience working with a non-profit, legislative or political office, or government agency in the legal and/or government affairs department

Communications Experience, Experience in Non-profit, Legislative Office or Government Agency in the Legal and/or Government Affairs Department, Legislative Process Experience, Lobbying Experience

Travel Requirement

Approximately 20% travel, with a willingness and ability to travel as needed both within the region as well as nationally. (Please note, travel requirements may be modified temporarily due in part to COVID-19; this remains a requirement of the position, and we expect normal travel volume to resume as the organization resumes normal operations)

Additional travel will include conferences, department meetings, etc.

COVID Statement

The ASPCA strives to maintain a COVID-free workplace. To that end, being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment for all ASPCA employees, including new hires, except where prohibited by applicable state or local law. The ASPCA makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs that prohibit a person from being vaccinated.

Benefits

NCSL offers an outstanding benefits package including low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life and disability insurance, three weeks paid vacation with five-plus years of paid full-time work experience, paid leave, telework, pet insurance, discounted bus / train passes, in-office dry cleaning pickup, access to 24 Hour Fitness memberships and more!

To Apply

Apply here

The ASPCA is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, age, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship status, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws

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