NCLR is seeking a Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs in its Washington, DC office. The Deputy Director will assist the Director in the oversight of the overall strategic legislative goals/objectives and priorities of ORAL. The Deputy Director will provide highly skilled advice, guidance, and direction for the component and institution's leadership as well as the component's Legislative Analysts. The work will include covering timely and relevant policy issues including, but not limited to: No Child Left Behind Act, Latino child poverty and economic recovery efforts, hate crimes and juvenile justice, health reform, and other emerging issues such as green jobs and energy policy.

The Deputy Director will work in consultation with the Director and other Legislative Affairs staff to elevate NCLR's position and influence with lawmakers and congressional staff, by cultivating and strengthening key relationships with lawmakers, congressional staff, allies, and stakeholders while assisting staff to develop effective legislative proposals.

The National Council of La Raza (NCLR)-the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States-works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. Through its network of nearly 300 affiliated community-based organizations, NCLR reaches millions of Hispanics each year in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. Founded in 1968, NCLR is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Washington, DC. NCLR serves all Hispanic subgroups in all regions of the country and has operations in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. For more information, please visit www.nclr.org

NCLR's highly respected Office of Research, Advocacy, and Legislation (ORAL) is one of the most influential, visible, and leading national advocacy voices championing public policy on behalf of Latinos. To achieve its mission, ORAL conducts work through several critical departments: the Policy Analysis Center, the Research Department, the Legislative Affairs Department, and two field-focused departments-National Campaigns and Capacity-Building.

NCLR's Legislative Affairs Department educates policymakers in Congress and the executive branch on key issues and also conducts lobbying activities. These activities are carried out in strict compliance with federal laws governing nonprofits and are supported by unrestricted funds.

The Deputy will report to the Director of Legislative Affairs, supervise Legislative Affairs staff, and serve as a member of the public policy component's management team. NCLR offers a collaborative, team-based environment that fosters a culture of ideas and debate. We approach our work from multiple perspectives and methods, understanding both the specific issues and their larger interrelated systems. The Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs will work closely with other members of the policy team and coworkers with extensive expertise in communications, editing/production, media, fundraising, special events, and marketing.

Responsibilities

• Work with supervisor to set overall strategy and goals that advance NCLR's legislative portfolio on Capitol Hill
• Manage, coordinate, guide, and provide strategic and tactical support for activities carried out by issue-based legislative staff and work to fill gaps in NCLR's legislative portfolio
• Lead, manage, and develop multi-issue and/or cross-cutting legislative products (e.g., briefing books, budget letters, etc.)
• Plan and conduct meetings to provide for internal exchange of legislative strategy meeting reporting, and other information across issue areas and on cross-cutting issues
• Provide technical assistance to component legislative staff on legislative process and serves as a sounding board for strategy and tactics
• Support outreach and relationship building efforts on Capitol Hill
• Serve as a lead and spokesperson in coalitional efforts and collaborations
• Supervise legislative staff

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree, but master's or Law degree preferred in public policy or related area
• Five plus years of legislative experience with at least one to three years of working on national legislative campaigns-Hill experienced preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills that can promote discussion persuasive enough to move legislative activity in the direction of NCLR positions
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Knowledge of legislative procedure and experience drafting legislative language
• Knowledge of lobbying and ethics laws
• Working knowledge of the five civil rights policy areas that NCLR prioritizes
• Demonstrated commitment to Latino and immigrant communities
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Outlook, knowledge of legislative tracking systems and congressional databases
• Experience in leadership or supervisory roles
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) skills a plus

Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, marital status, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, personal appearance, family responsibilities, political affiliation, or enrollment in a college, university, technical school, or adult education.

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