Senior Director, External Affairs, Governmental Relations at California School Boards Association in WEST SACRAMENTO, California

Job Description:

SUMMARY
Under supervision of the Chief, Governmental Relations, this position is responsible for the oversight of CSBAs grassroots program; to oversee state and local outreach, establish and coordinate membership training efforts; supervise team of grassroots professionals; supervise grassroots programs and outreach to association members and other partnering industries; assist with Political Action Committee fundraising efforts; coordinate CSBAs efforts relating to statewide ballot measures including signature gathering and get out the vote efforts; promote CSBA legislative priorities, develop, summarize, and maintain various reports and records; foster cooperative working relationships among Association staff and act as liaison with various legislative, educational, community, public, and government agencies; and perform related work as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Supervises a team of regionally based public affairs and community engagement representatives (PACERs) across the state of California. Executes CSBAs grassroots programs designed to identify and train local school and county board of education members for grassroots political action. Fosters and supports legislative and political allies and facilitates the interaction between state and federal legislators and candidates with school board members at the local, county and regional level. Coordinates grassroots efforts throughout California to maximize the political effectiveness of CSBA statewide and in Sacramento and Washington D.C.; coordinates state and federal legislator participation in CSBAs local, county and regional activities. Oversees association grassroots program, including educating school board members on the importance of advocacy work. Identifies and implements successful grassroots motivation, activation and management systems. Supervises team of grassroots professionals throughout the state; including hiring, training and supervising professional staff who work in assigned territories throughout California. Develops strategic grassroots engagement activities designed to enhance the associations advocacy program on legislative, political and statewide ballot issues. Identifies opportunities within key legislative and congressional districts to engage local school board members to participate in local, county and regional policy meetings. Collaborate with CSBA departments on communications, services and marketing strategies. Maintains key relationships with political and legislative insiders at the state and federal level. Advises on strategies to be used to forward the political and legislative priorities of the Association at the state and federal levels. Plans winning campaign strategies to achieve CSBAs legislative agenda and priorities; develops work plans, tactics and budgets for such campaigns. Assists with Political Action Committee fundraising and reporting activities. Travels throughout the state of California. Develops methods to effectively communicate Association positions on proposed legislation to congressional members, legislators, legislative committees, Association leaders, Legislative Committee, CSBA staff, community groups, and others. Assists in the development and implementation of the Associations legislative strategy; contributes to the development of the Associations position on bills, issues, and policies. Writes background papers, letters, action alerts, and presentations for advocacy at the Federal and State levels. Contributes to Association publications and reports. Represents and advocates for the Association on statewide and national campaigns, committees, and advisory groups; develops collaborative relationships with policy makers, government officials, school districts, county offices of education and other representatives, and community groups to support the Associations mission, vision, and goals; participates on a variety of interdisciplinary committees and represents the Association to a variety of community and stakeholder groups. Serves as a liaison to employees, the public, private organizations, community groups, and government and local educational agency officials; consults on legislative and political issues, programming, and planning; receives and responds to concerns and questions relating to assigned area of responsibility; reviews concerns and recommends solutions. Participates in the development and implementation of new or revised grassroots and legislative action programs, systems, procedures, and methods of operation; compiles and analyzes data and makes recommendations. Communicates orally, in writing, or through graphic representations and technical summaries with grassroots staff, colleagues, managers, the public, organized employee groups, and representatives of various organizations in a variety of settings, including large and small group meetings. Prepares and submits Board of Directors and Delegate Assembly agenda reports and various other committee and staff reports and correspondence regarding assigned program activities, and special projects as assigned by the Chief, Governmental Relations. Participates in the development and administration of the departments annual budget; assists in the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies. Participates in and makes presentations to the Board of Directors, Delegate Assembly, and a wide variety of committees, and boards; performs review of matters in areas of expertise pertaining to the various committees and boards. Reads and demonstrates an understanding and adherence to CSBA values, policies, and practices. Demonstrates respect, honesty and professionalism at all times. Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position provides for a wide variety of independent decision-making, within legal and general policy and regulatory guidelines. This position is required to manage and direct other staff, with the responsibility of overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of those roles. This position will carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and all applicable laws. Overall responsibilities of this position include, but may not be limited to, interviewing, training, timekeeping and wage & hour management, planning, assigning, and directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing and resolving complaints.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience equivalent to a Bachelors degree or higher with major coursework in business administration, public administration, government, legal, or political sciences, or related field with at least 5 years of experience in campaign consulting, political fundraising, grassroots development, legislative representation, research, analysis, and evaluation or a related field.