Summary : SEIU 775 is Washington State and Montana’s long-term care union. The Legislative and Policy Director helps fulfill our mission to unite all long-term care workers, improve the lives of working families and lead the way to a more just and humane society. As one of the youngest and fastest-growing unions in the country, we are a leader in the progressive community and take bold and innovative approaches to advocating for quality care and quality jobs.

SEIU 775 is a dynamic and fast-paced organization, unafraid to try new ways of doing things. We incorporate ideas from other unions, movements, advocacy groups, and the business community to win for the workers we represent. Our Union is committed to find new and innovative ways to meet our goals.

Reports to: Secretary-Treasurer

Location: Based out of the Seattle SEIU 775 offices, and will spend a majority of time during state legislative session in Olympia.

Excluded from the Staff Union bargaining unit (managerial/supervisory)

Salaried/overtime exempt position.

Description

The Public Affairs Director is a senior management position responsible for overseeing all Washington state policy and legislative efforts and leading innovative statewide legislative, political, and/or regulatory efforts to advance economic and social justice and to improve health and long-term care.

This position oversees several government affairs, community engagement, and political staff positions as well as various contract lobbyists and project-based consultants.

Over just the last several years, this position has led the Union’s lobbying efforts to: pass legislation to significantly restructure the state’s home care program; win hundreds of millions of dollars in new funding to increase wages and benefits for caregivers – including a starting wage of more than $15; and pass historic first-in-the-nation legislation establishing a guaranteed long-term care insurance benefit for all Washington workers. The Legislative and Policy Director was part of the effort to achieve major gains in the 2018 elections; and worked with the broader coalition of labor and social justice groups to pass progressive legislation on workers’ rights, paid family leave, voting rights, tax reform, and more.

This position is responsible for:

· Developing and implementing an overall policy and legislative strategy to advance the goals of SEIU 775, including lifting caregivers out of poverty, transforming health and long-term care, and reducing inequality and advancing shared prosperity for working people;

· Planning and overseeing significant portions of the union’s political program, including SEIU 775’s engagement with candidates and party organizations, and developing and implementing strategies to effectively communicate with members and engage them in the political process.

· Developing and managing a strong team of government affairs, community engagement, and political staff;

· Planning, organizing, and directing strategies to achieve state legislative goals, including directing work of lobbying, community engagement, and political staff team; working with coalition partners, and collaborating with field and communications staff to ensure robust grassroots member engagement;

· Developing and maintaining relationships with key partners, including elected officials, legislative and executive branch staff, health care and labor stakeholders, advocates in the senior and disability rights communities, and other social justice partners;

· Developing public policy positions on long-term care & health care access, financing, workforce, quality and other key issues and trends. This includes drafting legislation or writing amendments and/or directing research and policy staff;

· Understanding how critical policy changes will affect long term care workers (members and unorganized workers) and working with employers, elected officials or state agency staff to influence policy;

· Helping develop policy and coalition efforts around labor and social and racial justice initiatives; In recent years this has included leading efforts to create a new safety net for “gig economy” and other workers who often lack basic benefits, as well as work on tax reform, paid family leave, affirmative action, and other issues;

· Representing SEIU 775 in various coalitions, hearings, meetings, and other events. This could include providing testimony, participating in formal or informal negotiations, or representing SEIU 775 in meetings with elected officials;

Qualifications

· A minimum of 5 years’ experience in public policy, politics, or government affairs.

· High level of leadership, judgment and ability to manage multi-faceted campaigns and sensitive political situations

· Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.

· Excellent writing and communication skills.

· Proven commitment to progressive social change and a high level of dedication and commitment to building worker power and fundamentally changing the long-term care industry.

· Has a proven commitment to racial equity and knowledge and experience in applying a racial equity lens to campaigns and programs

· Ability to work well and work creatively under tight deadlines, in a team environment and independently.

· Willingness to work long and irregular hours when needed to meet campaign demands.

· Knowledge of/experience with the long-term care industry, Medicaid and health care policy strongly desired.

· A law degree, bachelors or masters degree in a field such as economics, business, public policy, or a social science is helpful.

Preferences

Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Experience working with a labor union, progressive non-profit, community organization, advocacy group, political campaign or elected official is a plus.

Pay and Benefits

The salary range for the role ranges from $99,000 to $130,500 annually; placement is dependent upon experience. SEIU 775 staff enjoy competitive salary and a top-notch benefit program, including fully employer-paid family health, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, a generous leave package, an ORCA Transit Card, fully employer-paid pension (defined benefit plan), matched 401(K) plan, mobile phone and fitness allowances, and other benefits outlined in the staff policies of SEIU 775.

To Apply: Submit résumé, cover letter, and 3 references with current contact information on the SEIU 775 Career Site

SEIU 775 provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, creed, gender, citizenship status, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, the presence of sensory, mental or physical disability, or any other discrimination prohibited by law. In addition to federal law requirements, SEIU 775 complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.