Part-time Job Opening: Legislative Advocate (Quaker Lobbyist)

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The Friends Committee on Washington Public Policy (FCWPP) seeks an individual to serve as our Legislative Advocate, i.e., lobbyist. It is preferred that the successful applicant for this part-time position be a member of the Religious Society of Friends or a long-time attender familiar with Friends’ ways and business practices. “Friendly” written, verbal, and public communication skills are essential. Demonstrated skills in grassroots and member organizing, and previous lobbying or equivalent experience in government relations or government affairs are desirable; media relations experience would be helpful.

The Legislative Advocate will need to communicate effectively with Friends spread around the state by email and telephone when meeting in person is impractical.  The lobbyist will need to work enthusiastically with Friends possessing a range of public policy experience, from those with no legislative experience who need help carrying a personal concern to their elected representatives, to Friends with their own lobbying experience who want to be closely involved in the legislative process.  During legislative sessions (typically January to April), the work is based in Olympia, but meetings in Seattle and elsewhere are also possible. Ongoing work with legislators and allies also takes place between sessions. Participation in meetings by conference call is common.

The work entails, but is not limited to:

• Working in close collaboration with and under the direction of FCWPP’s Legislative Committee
• Participating in the development of a legislative agenda and strategy for the legislative session
• Helping to draft legislation on FCWPP’s primary initiatives
• Serving as a resource for lobbying and other public policy initiatives by Quaker individuals and groups
• Working with legislators and their staff, other government officials and allies to achieve our public policy goals, including attending relevant coalition meetings, hearings, and meetings with legislators and other government officials before and during legislative sessions
• Drafting and presenting testimony for legislative hearings, and soliciting and assisting others in preparing and presenting testimony
• Keeping FCWPP’s constituency informed and generating support by drafting and distributing frequent email action alerts and legislative updates on the website
• Monitoring the progress of legislation during session, in order to support or oppose bills consistent with Quaker values and FCWPP’s policies
• Attending FCWPP Steering and Legislative Committee meetings in person, and Executive Committee meetings (as appropriate) by telephone conference call

Arising from core beliefs of the Religious Society of Friends, FCWPP’s public policy efforts carry on the tradition of Quaker witness for justice and peace.  We are presently engaged in ongoing initiatives in criminal justice reform (e.g., sentencing reform, restorative justice, drug reform, reentry issues, and voting rights), progressive tax reforms to provide adequate revenue to assure the basic needs of the most vulnerable in our communities, and state-level responses to peace and environmental issues.  We also monitor and testify on a variety of other issues compatible with our policy statement (see our website at www.fcwpp.org).

This contract position entails about 625 hours work throughout the year, but much more concentrated just before and during the legislative session, at $20/hour, for a total annual compensation of $12,500 plus expenses.  The position is renewable on an annual basis pending a regular performance review by the FCWPP Executive Committee.

For more information, contact FCWPP Clerk Tom Ewell at 360-341-1457 or c/o fcwpp@quaker.org. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to fcwpp@quaker.org or to FCWPP, PO Box 452, Olympia, WA 98507-0452, by August 1, 2010.  It is anticipated that the contract for the new Legislative Advocate will start in September, 2010.