• Leveraging the capacity of CLASP’s highly regarded policy and technical leaders effectively and quickly to inform Congressional deliberation and action, including:

– Proactively building and strengthening Congressional relationships through ongoing, regular contacts with a wider number of offices, senior staff, and Members.

– Maintaining and expanding CLASP’s Hill presence to increase the visibility of CLASP and our key priorities.

– Increasing CLASP’s capacity to inform all phases of the legislative process, including being a thought partner with Congressional Members and staff (for example, during the development of legislative proposals).

– Coordinating CLASP’s rapid response to high priority issues/threats and requests from legislative staff, through direct engagement of Members and staff as well as a range of communications strategies, in coordination with CLASP’s policy and Communications teams.

• Building CLASP’s internal capacity to be an effective partner to Hill staff and Members, including:

– Working with policy teams and Communications to develop materials, briefings, and talking points that respond directly to   the needs of and questions from Members of Congress and their staffs.

– Developing internal staff skills, through coaching and staff development activities.

– Maintaining information flow about Hill activities within CLASP, through e-mails, tracking systems, and meetings.

• Developing cross-cutting Hill strategies and priorities, in partnership with the Deputy ED for Policy, the ED, and the policy team leads.
• Improving CLASP’s capacity to engage with and advise partners on federal legislative strategy, both in the field and in D.C., including through leadership and active participation in key coalitions and campaigns.
• Participating in CLASP-wide activities through the Leadership Team and other organization-wide activities (for example, the cross-CLASP committee on Racial Equity).
• Direct supervision of one research assistant.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• At least 5-7 years of Capitol Hill legislative experience. Recent experience (either working on the Hill or in an external advocacy role) and current Hill relationships are preferred.
• Demonstrated commitment to racial equity and advocating for people with low incomes, people of color, and immigrants.
• Non-profit or public policy experience
• General familiarity with one or more of the core policy areas that CLASP works on is required; in-depth experience in at least one of these areas is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge or previous experience building a strategic policy-advocacy framework and setting strategic priorities.
• Understanding of our partner organizations (anti-poverty, civil rights, and sector-specific) and their legislative roles/strategies.
• Strong written and oral communications skills are required, including experience writing for a Hill audience.
• Successful experience as a leader, through direct supervision and/or project leadership.

Position is based in Washington, D.C.

Compensation

Salary is commensurate with experience. CLASP offers exceptional benefits, including health insurance, dental insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, a 403(b) retirement program, flexible spending accounts, and generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday schedules

The Center for Law and Social Policy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or age.