Legislative Associate

The American Legion; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The American Legion in Washington, DC seeks a Legislative Associate to coordinate the operations of the Legislative Division and act as a lobbyist for the organization. The role focuses on representing the Legion before Congress, researching federal processes, and preparing testimony and updates for the record.

Responsibilities include coordinating lobbying activities, monitoring federal laws and regulations, and developing strategies while serving as a liaison with veterans groups.

Qualifications

• College education with a four-year degree.
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills.
• Ability to analyze complex written documents and legal/regulatory materials.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Experience with veterans/military protocol is a plus.
• Proficient in MS Office and preparing testimony.

Responsibilities

• Represent The American Legion before Congress on legislative matters.
• Research technical information related to federal legislative process.
• Prepare written testimony and statements for the record.
• Coordinate federal lobbying activities and grassroots efforts.
• Monitor legislative status and report on critical issues.
• Develop legislative strategies and schedule meetings with lawmakers.
• Serve as liaison with veterans organizations and other groups.
• Support Legislative Commission and related committees.

Skills

Effective communication

Writing & editing

Project management

Fiscal report analysis

Interpreting regulations

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Veterans protocol knowledge

MS Office proficiency

Education

Four-year degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

The Legislative Associate position is located in Washington, D.C. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating the operations of the American Legion's Legislative Division. Serve as a lobbyist for the organization and coordinate federal lobbying activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Represent The American Legion before the U.S. Congress on assigned legislative matters which the organization is interested by establishing and maintaining relationship with congressional members and staffs, focusing on committees of jurisdiction and key caucuses.
• Research technical information related to the federal legislative process.
• Participate in The American Legion's federal lobbying efforts; preparation of written testimony and statements for the record; conduct grassroots activities and training sessions; and compose legislative alerts and updates.
• Monitor and report the legislative status of critical issues in federal laws, policies and regulations based on The American Legion's resolutions.
• Develop legislative strategies, schedule and attend meetings with congressional members and staffs, and prepare documents for internal or external use.
• Serve as a liaison with veterans/military service organizations and other groups who support veterans, servicemembers and their families.
• Provide support to Legislative Commission, Legislative Commission Liaison Committee, and Legislative Council.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Reports directly to the Deputy Director of Legislative

Education/Technical Knowledge

College education-four-year degree to provide basic familiarity with a variety of subjects

Additional Skills Needed

• Communicated effectively verbally in a diverse range of settings and audiences.
• Excellent writing, proofreading and editing skills.
• Demonstrate management skills to include coaching, mentoring, counseling and evaluating employees.
• Able to evaluate fiscal and financial reports, forms and data, and analyze complex written documents.
• Capable of interpreting legal documents and government regulations.
• Strong organizational, project, time management, and problem-solving skills.
• Able to manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines.
• Experience with military and veterans protocol, culture and language.
• Knowledge of The American Legion organizational structure, programs, services and policies.
• Must have good computer skills to include MS Office Suite.

Experience

3 yrs up to 5 yrs

Supervision of Others

This position involves no responsibility of authority for the direction of others.

Problem Solving

Involves thinking imaginatively and researching new fields and concepts.

Impact of Decisions

Work involves opportunities for errors in the soundness and timing of judgments that would have a serious short-term effort on overall operations and budgets.

Internal and Public Contacts

Within organization involving multiple relationships or persons on a higher administrative level which would involve complex, sensitive and controversial areas, and/or outside organization staff on serious problems which involves explanations and discussion to influence their thinking.

Physical Factors and Working Conditions

The employee is regularly required to talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, either corrective or uncorrected. Working conditions are within a well-lighted air-conditioned office environment. Employee may frequently travel. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the physical demands of the job.