Job Description
POSITION DESCRIPTION
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
Department: Legislation Department
Location: National Office
FSLA Classification: Exempt
Position Title: Legislative Representative
Date of Revision/Creations:
CLASSIFICATION: LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE
I. INTRODUCTION
To promote and advance the legislative objectives of the American Federation of
Government Employees, AFL-CIO, in the U.S. Congress and the Administration.
Provides advice, guidance, consultation, coordination, and otherwise supports the
expressed and implied will of the membership for legislation. This includes
maintenance of sound work relationships with the U.S. Congress and staff
members; execution of liaison and lobbyist functions; introduction of favorable
legislation; keeping informed of and expressing the AFGE view on proposed
legislation; coordinating departmental efforts to prepare bills and legislative
comments; coordinating with grassroots, political, policy, legal, labor relations,
and communications staff to ensure successful promotion of legislative agenda;
and keeping National and District offices, councils as appropriate, and members
informed of progress.
II. MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Participates in planning, organizing, coordinating, and conducting
legislative programs to carry out mandates from the Convention, the
National President (NP) and the National Executive Council (NEC).
Formulates and develops written legislative, grassroots, and political
strategy proposals and programs to assist the NP and the NEC to
accomplish the legislative goals and mandates of the Convention. Tracks,
analyzes, and prepares testimony, researches legislative history, and
provides policy research on issues concerning members.
2. Performs liaison and lobbyist functions of a business and social nature,
including attending daily multiple meetings with Representatives and
Senators as well as their staffs. Attends Congressional hearings,
subcommittee and committee markups, and floor votes in both chambers
on Capitol Hill. For this reason, hours are unpredictable due to nature of
congressional activity. Represents AFGE and the Legislative Director and
Deputy Legislative Director in contacts with personnel throughout AFGE,
Congress, Federal agencies, and labor organizations. Collects or delivers
proposals, bills, reports, correspondence, and recommendations to foster and
keep communications channels open, makes arrangements for AFGE experts to
comment upon or help introduce legislation and personally ensures that AFGE
position is clearly understood. Fosters a high level of trust through sincere and
honest personal relationships. Keeps Director informed of progress, obstacles,
and unusual developments.
3. Works in close coordination and harmony with other AFGE departments and
staff on legislative matters and support. Specifically:
A. Communications Department - Ensures that this department is furnished
timely and current information on the Federation's legislative
initiatives, victories, and activities to properly disseminate such
information to the media, districts, locals, councils and AFGE activists.
Provides information and ideas to help the department refine and focus
its public relations message.
B. Membership and Organization - Participates in all membership
recruitment efforts, including lunch and learns, and metropolitan
organizing initiatives throughout the country.
C. Political Action Committee (PAC) - Supports and assists the AFGE-PAC
Director in fundraising activities. Makes recommendations to Legislative
and Political Director on the distribution of contributions in a manner
that will support and enhance the union's legislative objectives.
D. Grassroots - Works closely with the Field Mobilization Director and
Legislative and Political Organizers in the field to identify, train and
develop a cadre of local and council activists to provide legislative and
political action to advance the union's legislative goals. Ensures that the
union's legislative message is delivered to local and council activists, and
that they, in turn, lobby their Representatives and Senators on AFGE
initiatives.
E. Training - Conducts frequent training for members on legislative issues
and lobbying techniques, as well as other matters. Supports AFGE
legislative and political program in headquarters including during the
annual legislative conference, and at multiple events in the field.
{00405749.DOC - }
F. Policy and Field Services and Education Departments - Works closely
with economists, labor relations specialists, and other technicians to
develop arguments and positions on a wide range of legislative
issues. Develops and coordinates policy paper and testimony
production.
G. General Counsel's Office (GCO) - Works closely with staff
attorneys to ensure legislative proposals address AFGE legal
concerns.
4. Reviews and signs lobbying reports to the Senate and House reflecting
extent of such activities as registered AFGE lobbyist.
5. Some travel by air and surface transportation is required. Some overnight
travel during the week and weekends is required, as well as attendance and
participation at work events during the weekends and after regularly
scheduled work hours.
6. Performs other duties as required.
III. WORK ENVIRONMENT
This job operates in a professional environment working to establish Federation
and Departmental goals. The incumbent will routinely use standard office
equipment such as computers, fax machines, scanners, and phones. Long hours
are periodically required. Travel is required. The employee will periodically be
required to do some lifting and/or move items over 10 pounds.
IV. CONTROLS OVER WORK
This is a professional salaried position that is exempt from the FLSA. Reports to
the Legislative Director and works under her general supervision. Work requires
thorough familiarity with the process and people through which legislation is
introduced and enacted; a working knowledge of federal personnel statutes; and
knowledge of AFGE policies and procedures. Performance is evaluated in terms
of personal and departmental accomplishments and effectiveness in meeting
AFGE legislative goals and objectives.
V. QUALIFICATIONS
1. Applicant must have five years of U.S. Congressional legislative experience
from working on Capitol Hill or lobbying the Congress. Applicant must
have a thorough knowledge of the legislative process.
2. Applicant must have bachelor's degree, and due to the complexity of
the legislative issues facing AFGE members, graduate/law degree is
strongly preferred.
3. Applicant must be familiar with and able to analyze legislative bills,
proposals, reports, make recommendations regarding them, and prepare
written testimony.
4. Applicant must have a comprehensive understanding of AFGE's legislative
Goals.
5. Applicant must have a deep and abiding commitment to the American labor
movement.
6. Applicant must be an exceptional analyst and writer.
7. Grade 14 level is available to incumbents in Grade 13 after one year in service.
To be promoted from Grade 13 to Grade 14 Legislative Representative,
incumbent must be able to operate independently, with very little direct
supervision, while simultaneously keeping the Director informed of all
important matters. Incumbent must have demonstrated extraordinary skills in
the ability to resolve complex legislative challenges and be able to strategize
with Field Mobilization Director and Political and Mobilization Director in the
absence of the Director. Incumbent must have close working relationships with
all members of the LPAD, including field staff, and must stay generally up to
date on all legislative matters affecting AFGE members to provide substitute
backup for other legislative representatives if necessary.
VI. EEO STATEMENT
AFGE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and
applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national
origin, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, marital status, sexual
orientation, personal appearance, gender identity and/or gender expression. In
additional to federal law requirements, AFGE complies with applicable state and
local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which
the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of
employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination,
layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training
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