Job Description

University Professional & Technical Employees
CWA Local 9119

Government Affairs Fellow

Based in Sacramento or San Francisco Bay Area, CA preferred

UPTE, CWA Local 9119 (“UPTE”) is a dynamic and growing member-run, statewide union representing over 20,000 University of California technical, research, and health care professionals.

Summary:
The Government Affairs Fellow is an entry-level, full time position designed to provide critical support to the union’s fast-paced, multi-faceted, legislative advocacy and political mobilization programs statewide. The GA Associate will be provided ample opportunities to gain valuable experience in Government and Labor-UC relations through the intersections of progressive policy and labor organizing. 

Government Affairs Associate
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, in coordination with the Political Coordinator, Executive Director, and UPTE Senior Staff, the union’s Legislative, Budget, Local Government, and Board of Regents advocacy strategy to advance the union’s objectives.
• Participate in the union’s legislative advocacy - through direct lobbying - at the State level with an emphasis on the State Legislature, the Executive Branch, Constitutional Officers, and relevant State Agencies. Special time and attention will be devoted to cultivating, maintaining and expanding UPTE’s influence and presence with members of the “UC Roundtable”
• Schedule lobby visits and meetings with elected officials.
• Assist UPTE staff and members, and leaders to facilitate the Union’s annual Lobby Day; including scheduling lobby visits, training members, and when practicable, join members on their lobby visits. Responsibilities also include assisting with the development of printed materials such as leave-behinds, preparation packets and other documents as needed for staff and members.
• Assist the Research Department on relevant cross-departmental campaigns pertaining to legislative, budget, or other projects as assigned by the Political Coordinator.
• Assist in the development, with the Political Coordinator, legislation, budget requests, resolutions (local and state levels), local ordinances, and other policy mechanisms as specified.
• Testify on behalf of the union at legislative meetings and hearings and prepare witness testimony when required. 
• Work in collaboration with UPTE Executive Officers, members, and leaders to cultivate and foster relationships with local and state legislators and their staff/consultants, to advance the unions organizational, legislative and budgetary objectives.
• Serve as the union’s designated representative on appropriate policy, advocacy, and community-based coalitions and workgroups as assigned by the Political Coordinator and or the Executive Director.
• Track, analyze, and organize legislation germane to UPTE’s organizational, legislative and budget objectives.
• Assist the Political Coordinator with the overall implementation of the union’s political, electoral, and community organizing initiatives.

Qualifications:

• Lobbying experience at the California State Legislature or local governments preferred, but not required.
• Ideal candidates possess the basic knowledge of the California Legislative and Budget processes.
• Experience drafting, amending, and directly lobbying legislation, preferred but not required
• Ideal candidates possess strong writing, analytical, and public speaking skills.
• Experience in labor politics and labor-specific legislation/policy preferred but not required
• Experience utilizing bill tracking software like “Capitol Track,” “GovBuddy,” or other premium legislative tools/programs preferred but not required
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to motivate, lead, build strong working relationships and hold others accountable;
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to creating a positive work environment that encourages personal responsibility, initiative and innovation;
• Proven ability to work with diverse group of people, from union members to union staff and leaders to elected officials to other community and issue stakeholders;
• Experience with the University of California, and involvement in UC Student Associations or student advocacy groups a plus
• Commitment to building a Militant, Progressive, and Democratic labor movement

To Apply:
Please submit your résumé and a cover letter to: jobs@upte.org .

Compensation for the Organizing Fellow will be $1,000 per week for an expected period of several months.

WHEN APPLYING: Be sure to indicate that you saw this information at .

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