The National Employment Law Project seeks a dynamic and creative Federal Advocate to collaborate with other NELP staff and partner organizations in advocating for NELP’s priorities before Congress, the White House, and federal administrative and executive agencies. The Federal Advocate position offers an opportunity to join a committed and high-impact team at NELP that, in partnership with other national and grass roots organizations, works to improve economic opportunity and security through work for low-wage workers.
Who We Are
The National Employment Law Project (NELP) works to reduce economic inequality, end structural racism, and build worker power, so that all who work in the U.S. can achieve economic opportunity, security and prosperity from their labor. Founded in 1969, NELP is one of the country’s leading workers’ rights organizations, providing concrete policy models, research and education, legal analysis, technical assistance, communications, and support for organizing and advocacy to improve access to work, job quality and economic security during joblessness. We work from the ground up to build change, in close partnership with community groups, national worker advocacy partners, immigrant worker centers, the labor movement, faith-based organizations, and policy makers. To learn more about us, please visit our website at www.nelp.org<http://www.nelp.
What You Will Do
As NELP’s Federal Advocate, you will assist NELP in all aspects of its federal work, including lobbying Congress and the Administration around our core priorities; representing NELP in public forums, including administrative and congressional hearings; engaging administrative and executive agencies on matters related to implementing and enforcing our nation’s labor and employment laws; and working with all NELP staff and allies to develop and advocate for new policies designed to improve the economic security of low-wage workers, and help move them into secure, middle class jobs.
You will:
* Lobby Congress, the Administration and federal agencies about NELP’s core issues and priorities, including coordinating lobby visits for coalitions and allies;
* Draft Congressional or other testimony, op-eds, reports, talking points, and other documents as necessary;
* Work with all the NELP teams and campaigns to advance our priorities at the federal level and to develop policies to help improve economic security for our nation’s low wage workers;
* Represent NELP in the media, including print, radio, internet and television;
* Help strengthen NELP’s efforts to support the goal of building worker power in low-wage sectors, among low-wage workers, and across the economy;
* Represent NELP in coalitions and community events, the media, and public forums;
* Keep abreast of relevant information, resources, tools, and developments in the federal domestic economic policy field;
* Contribute to NELP’s fundraising, grant proposals, project reports, newsletters and web materials as needed.
Who You Are
* You have a strong interest in and passion for social and economic justice, as reflected by involvement in professional or volunteer activities or study related to labor/employment rights, civil rights, anti-poverty work and domestic economic policy.
* You enjoy being a part of a team, whether the team is made of colleagues within your organization or involves people from multiple organizations. You are skilled at working collaboratively and supportively with other co-workers and teammates.
* You may describe yourself as a “people person.” You thrive in roles that involve meeting new people and forging productive work relationships with them. You are able to inspire and lead others.
* You are a confident and comfortable public speaker and have experience speaking in front of a variety of audiences.
* You enjoy writing and are able to write persuasively, succinctly and, when needed, quickly.
* You are eager to learn about the complex issues NELP works on. You are able to synthesize complicated information into persuasive and digestible messages and talking points.
* You have strong research and analytical skills.
* You are able to work independently and creatively.
* You are organized. You are skilled in creating your own or using existing systems for organizing and maintaining information and data and keeping track of extensive contacts. You are effective in managing your time and balancing multiple expectations and demands.
* You have a college degree or equivalent educational and/or background and experience.
* You have at least 1 year of experience working in a related field.
* The following qualifications, though not essential, are a plus: experience working with allies such as unions, worker centers, faith-based organizations, and policymakers, elected and appointed; some experience in responding to media requests, including interviews; Spanish-language fluency.
Start date and compensation: This position must be filled in our Washington, DC, office. The position will start as soon as possible and reasonable, given the candidate’s current employment. Salary is competitive within the non-profit sector and commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits package. This position is in NELP’s bargaining unit, represented by National Organization of Legal Service Workers, UAW Local 2320. The position will require some travel.
NELP is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and an equal opportunity, fair chance, affirmative action employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior record of arrest or conviction, citizenship status, current employment status, or caregiver status.
To apply: Email cover letter, resume, three references, and three different types of writing samples to jobs@nelp.org<mailto:jobs@