DIRECTOR OF LEGISLATION AND POLITICAL ACTION

Reporting to the Executive Director of AFSCME Minnesota Council 5, and in conjunction with the elected and appointed leadership and staff of the Council and International Union, the Director of Legislation and Political Action is responsible for the development, implementation, and ultimate success of AFSCME Minnesota Council 5?s legislative and political agenda, goals, and objectives.

Consistent with these responsibilities and the mission and goals of the union, the Director shall develop and maintain the Legislative District Action Team (LDAT) structure, an informed, action-oriented network of grass-roots member political activists who shall serve as the nucleus of the union?s legislative and political action efforts. In coordination with other Council 5 Directors and staff, the Director shall develop and execute a comprehensive and ongoing program to educate and train this network in furtherance of the legislative and political action needs of the union.

As directed by the Executive Director and Council Executive Board, the Director shall have overall responsibility for the coordination, management, and oversight of the union?s involvement in political campaigns on the federal and state levels of government. The Director shall have overall responsibility for the development, coordination, and management of the union?s local government legislative and political action program. The Director shall participate in the union?s legislative lobbying efforts as needed and shall be responsible for the assessment and monitoring of state and local government legislative and political developments.

Working with appropriate elected and appointed Council and, when appropriate, International union members, leaders and staff, the Director shall have overall responsibility for the development, advancement, and execution of a local government legislative and political action program. The Director, working with appropriate International union leadership and staff, shall effectuate necessary and appropriate Council efforts on federal government-level matters of concern to the Council.

The Director shall be responsible for the development and implementation of a program to sustain and expand union member participation in the Public Employees Organized to Promote Legislative Equality (PEOPLE) program.

The Director shall be responsible for the development and implementation of an on-going voter registration effort within the union membership.

As directed by the Executive Director, and in conjunction with appropriate elected officials and staff, the Director shall provide all necessary assistance to ensure proper resolution of collective bargaining problems and disputes in political subdivisions as well as assistance in resolving political problems with local executive and legislative officials and bodies.

The Director shall be responsible for preparing an annual legislative and political budget, submitting said budget to the Executive Director, and, in accordance with the goals, objectives and needs of the union, shall direct and monitor the use of said funds in order to effectively operate within the structure of the Council and overall union.

The Director shall, on an immediate and day-to-day basis, supervise all other Council legislative and political action staff and shall ensure that, consistent with the goals, objectives and needs of the union, such staff are continuously oriented, trained, and deployed.

The Director shall coordinate with all other facets of the union to ensure that legislative and political action goals, programs, and initiatives advance and are consistent with the overall needs and priorities of the union.

The Director shall be available to travel and represent the interests of the union before appropriate individuals, public, and private bodies/concerns, and forums.

The Director shall, at all times, espouse and demonstrate an affinity for the mission and members of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

? Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with course work in Labor Relations, Political Science, or government; and,
? Seven to ten years experience in writing, lobbying and passing legislation on the local, state and/or federal levels of government; and,
? Seven to ten years experience in the political arena including political election campaigns, issue campaigns, effective volunteer recruitment and coalition building; and,
? Seven to ten years professional experience including strong management skills, member recruitment and mobilization, and ability to work well with diverse membership, leadership and staff; -OR-
? Any acceptable and equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the following knowledge, skills, and abilities: Demonstrated and thorough knowledge of appropriate campaign financial regulations and laws; Demonstrated and thorough knowledge of legislative processes and effective lobbying techniques; Demonstrated and thorough knowledge of personnel management practices and techniques; Demonstrated and thorough knowledge of campaign targeting and techniques; Demonstrated and thorough knowledge of scientific polling techniques; Demonstrated knowledge of computer software associated with potential campaign gathering or planning; Demonstrated and thorough knowledge of federal and state political environments; Strong interpersonal skills; Ability to function independently in certain matters and as a team member in others; Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, within tight deadlines; Demonstrated ability to develop training curriculum and conduct presentations and workshops; Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
? Travel, extended work hours, and a valid driver?s license are required.

Resumes and references should be submitted to Eliot Seide, Council 5 Executive Director, NO LATER THAN 12/20/04. Salary commensurate with experience.

AFSCME MINNESOTA COUNCIL 5
(American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO)
300 Hardman Avenue South, So. St. Paul, MN 55075
Phone: 651-450-4990; Fax: 651-450-1908

AFSCME Council 5 is an Equal Opportunity Employer