Public Education Advocacy Coordinator

Indiana State Teachers Association • Indianapolis, IN

13h • Onsite

About The Position

This position falls within the Government, Community, Racial and Social Justice Department of the Association and the successful candidate’s immediate supervisor is the Director of Government, Community, Racial and Social Justice Department.
This position is responsible for coordinating and implementing the Association’s political action program.

The person selected for this position will also assist in the implementation of the Association’s legislative and professional quality programs. The position requires familiarity with and expertise in political action activities at all levels and requires working with the National Education Association’s Government Relations Department with regard to federal candidates, in particular. The position requires an understanding of teacher quality issues specifically and education policy matters generally.

This is a permanent Professional Staff Organization (PSO) position and is subject to the collective bargaining agreement between ISTA and PSO.
The position is assigned to the ISTA headquarters downtown Indianapolis and reports to Deidre Rasheed, Director of Government, Community, Racial and Social Justice.

The qualifications, duties and responsibilities listed below are those required for the position, but do not encompass all that may be included in the day-to-day performance of this position.

Requirements

• A working knowledge of the Association/NEA programs and objectives.
• In-depth knowledge and skills for effectively implementing political campaigns.
• Knowledge in and ability to develop, communicate, and organize an overall political/campaign plan for the Association to implement, including the following:
• Identifying and cultivating potential candidates to the Indiana General Assembly who will be supportive of the Association’s issues;
• Developing ongoing political strategy recommendations to best enable the Association to outreach to political candidates and incumbents; and
• Recommending and engaging in standard campaign initiatives such as polling, opposition research, and targeting.
• Knowledge and skills are associated with compliance of federal and state campaign finance and reporting rules and laws.
• An understanding of education issues, including with regard to the implementation of Indiana’s 2011 state education “reforms” targeted at public school teachers, including teacher evaluations (RISE, TAP, other models), teacher licensure and re-licensure initiatives (REPA 1 and REPA 2), teacher compensation models, teacher collective bargaining and due process laws.
• Ability to effectively interpret legislation, rules, regulations, outside research, and Association policies.
• Ability to understand and interpret legal analyses.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Comprehensive skills necessary to develop and present testimony, speeches, papers, and other materials to individuals of all backgrounds and to diverse groups.
• Ability to work within established timelines and deadlines.
• Comprehensive skills necessary to conceptualize, develop and engage in training and workshop opportunities for members, legislators, and other groups in a variety of areas.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others, including bipartisan/non-partisan relationships.
• In-depth knowledge and skills for effectively assisting in the implementation of political campaigns.
• Computer and internet skills, including at least a demonstrated ability and experience in Microsoft office programs (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher).
• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in political science, public policy, or a related field. Law degree is a bonus.
• Past involvement in political campaign organizing and plan development demonstrating a deep understanding of the issues, resources available, and resources needed with regard to political campaign initiatives.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in a position which required lobbying, organizational advocacy and engaging in working relationship-building with a variety of policymakers, governmental entities, and other organizations.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in a position which interfaced with K-12 education issues.

Nice To Haves

• Past involvement in political campaign organizing and plan development demonstrating a deep understanding of the issues, resources available, and resources needed with regard to political campaign initiatives.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in a position which required lobbying, organizational advocacy and engaging in working relationship-building with a variety of policymakers, governmental entities, and other organizations.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in a position which interfaced with K-12 education issues.
• Some travel is required. Indiana drivers’ license or the ability to obtain one.
• Ability to serve often-times under unpredictable timeframes.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Association programs, services, and campaigns related to electing I-PACE-recommended candidates.
• Lobby the Indiana General Assembly and Congress to implement the Association’s legislative program and other Association positions.
• Organize and conduct various training programs to benefit Association members.
• Assist with local affiliate and staff activities to support the Association goals.
• Organize and coordinate community partnerships.
• Organize and coordinate business and labor partnerships.
• From time to time, serve as an Association liaison to various legislative bodies, boards, agencies, partnerships, and other relevant groups.
• Serve as a liaison to Association committees and/or statewide membership classification groups, as may be directed.
• Perform other reasonable duties as may be assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level