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The Progressive States Network (www.progressivestates.org) seeks a highly motivated individual to work in a team approach as a policy advocate working on health care issues with state legislators and organizations around the country. The Progressive States Network is a state-based organization, the mission of which is to pass progressive legislation in all 50 of America's state legislatures, strengthen progressive alliances, and challenge rightwing forces in each of those states.

Job Description: Progressive States Network has built a network of over 750 state legislators in forty-eight states who support fundamental progressive health care reform and the task of the health care policy advocate, working with both national and state organizational allies, is to help translate that legislative network into concrete changes in both federal and state policy. That work will include a few key policy goals:

• Mobilize legislators and allies in support of federal health care reform;

• Help implement the law in the states in the most progressive way possible once passed;

• Work to assure transparency and equity in the stimulus spending in states across the country.

The organizational tools we use in pursuit of these legislative goals include a combination of broad policy support in the form of reports and weekly updates on best practices, combined with rapid-response technical support for legislators and advocates in particular states. We work to strengthen cross-state legislator peer-to-peer education and coordination, while deepening coordination of legislators and organizational allies in each state.

Because PSN works across multiple issues, any advocate should be prepared to work in a multi-issue framework and track some policy issues beyond health care.

PSN State Campaign Support: A core part of the PSN staffer's responsibility will be to support campaigns on these issues in each state, working with local allies and legislative allies we have developed from other campaigns to find sponsors and help move the bills in more states. This help will range from drafting legislation and amendments during the sessions, writing op-eds, developing fact sheets and other resource sheets, promoting grassroots public education in support of these health care reform initiatives, and helping legislators educate their fellow lawmakers on the need for the bills.

Building National Health Care Legislative Network: A key role for the PSN health care advocate will be to strengthen and deepen our national network of state legislators and allied organization that can work consistently to expand health care for all.

By encouraging more legislator-to-legislator communication across state lines, we help legislators to see a policy proposal not as some radical new innovation but as a tested policy which has strengthened the political position of their peer legislators in other states.

Strengthening legislator-to-legislator coordination also encourages legislators to think more seriously about the national impact of their actions and their role as leaders in the progressive movement, instead of just narrowly concentrating on their role as legislators in their own state.

Qualifications: The candidate for Health Care Advocate must be self-motivated, as well as an innovative thinker and organizer with a dedication to a progressive, anti-racist vision of our economy and society.
Excellent verbal and writing skills are an essential requirement. Background in health care advocacy is strongly desired. Relevant experience includes (but is not limited to) working in political, policy, legal, journalistic, or government settings.

Advanced degrees, including a JD or masters in related fields, may count toward a candidate's professional experience. But most of all, we are looking for smart, creative thinkers and doers who can help build and strengthen the progressive movement in this country.

Progressive States is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage and value a diverse workforce, and we seek diversity among applicants for this position. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Location: Position based in PSN's national office in New York, NY.

Background: The Progressive States Network works with legislators and community organizations across the country to advance legislation at the state level that protects individual freedoms, promotes sustainable economic growth, and strengthens America's working families. Backed by labor unions, community leaders, environmental groups, grassroots organizations and other individual supporters, Progressive States blends analysis and action and is working to establish a cohesive network and support system for progressive legislators and organizations in all 50 states, while building a concerted movement dedicated to grassroots social and political change across the nation. See www.progressivestates.org for more information.

Email a compelling cover letter, resume and writing sample identifying which policy position you are applying for and which shows your ability to write about policy issues in a manner accessible to the public to: healthcarejob@progressivestates.org