Manager, Government Affairs

Position: Manager, Government Affairs

Location: Remote but must reside in Sacramento, CA

Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Date: September 2024

Description of Job: The Manager of Government Affairs will play a pivotal role in advancing the legislative and policy goals of the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA). This position requires a dynamic and strategic thinker with a strong understanding of California's legislative process, education policy, and the unique challenges and opportunities facing charter schools.

Overview of Responsibilities

The Manager of Government Affairs will report to the Managing Director of Legislative Advocacy. This role includes monitoring and analyzing legislation, assist with legislative advocacy, and supporting CCSA members with legislative and policy issues. The ideal candidate will be an excellent communicator, able to work independently and as part of a team, and committed to promoting diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties

Legislative Advocacy – Assist with Legislative Advocacy work including:

• Monitor and analyze state legislation and state budget items impacting charter schools.
• Assist to develop and implement advocacy strategies to influence legislative outcomes.
• Draft position letters, communications with legislators, and testimony for legislative hearings.
• Build and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff, and other policymakers.
• Research and analyze education policy issues.
• Monitor legislative hearings and sessions.

Budget Advocacy – Assist with Budget Advocacy work including:

• Monitor and analyze state budget proposals.
• Monitor state budget subcommittee hearings on education.
• Assist with the creation of budget resources for members, including CCSA’s State Budget Brief.

Regulatory Advocacy – Assist with Regulatory Advocacy work including:

• Monitor and analyze regulatory proposals, agenda items, and agencies that impact charter schools.
• Monitor regulatory hearings and provide testimony as assigned.
• Conduct research into regulatory items.
• Maintain Salesforce datasets on a variety of charter school related programs.

Government Affairs Support – Provide support to the Government Affairs team including:

• Communicate regularly with internal teams and CCSA members to understand their needs and priorities.
• Collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders on legislative advocacy.
• Prepare information and educational materials to empower and inform CCSA members about legislative and policy developments.
• Provide guidance and support to members on legislative and policy issues.
• Organize and facilitate member advocacy activities, such as scheduling meetings.
• Collaborate with other education advocacy organizations and coalitions.
• Participate in meetings and events to represent CCSA's interests.
• Develop and disseminate communications to keep members informed of legislative and policy developments.
• Assist with CCSA’s Capitol Update Webinar series.
• Create Action Alerts for CCSA members to engage on legislative, budget, or regulatory advocacy priorities
• Represent CCSA in public forums as needed.
• Supports CCSA sponsored events and activities as needed, including CCSA’s annual Charter Schools Conference.
• Provide administrative support to the Government Affairs team.

Political Support – Provides support to CCSA’s Civic Affairs team including:

• Provides support as appropriate to CCSA Advocates—CCSA’s tandem 501(c)4 organization—with campaign efforts at the local and state level.
• Assist with the creation of Charter Schools PAC Committee Meeting Agendas.
• Track political contributions and expenditures.
• Handle RSVPs for fundraising events on behalf of CCSA Advocates.

What Success Looks Like:

The Manager of Government Affairs will significantly influence legislative, regulatory, and budget outcomes and policy positions to support charter schools. Through policy research and analysis this role will advocate for charter school interests enhancing the political influence and public perception of charter schools, ultimately contributing to their sustainable growth and success.

Competencies

To excel in the Manager of Government Affairs role, the candidate should demonstrate the following core competencies, tailored to the responsibilities and context of the position:

• Accountability: Takes ownership of advocacy strategies and legislative initiatives, ensures follow-through on commitments, and meets deadlines consistently.
• Collaboration and Relationship Building: Fosters strong connections with policymakers, internal teams, and external stakeholders. Encourages input and support from diverse groups and builds consensus to drive policy objectives.
• Effective Communication: Keeps internal teams and CCSA members informed about legislative developments and advocacy efforts. Listens actively to stakeholders' concerns and adapts communications to effectively convey messages to different audiences.
• Growth-Minded: Engages in reflection on advocacy strategies and outcomes, embraces feedback from colleagues and stakeholders, and applies insights to improve policy positions and advocacy approaches.
• Works Through It: Adapts to changes in the legislative landscape and policy environment and drives the work forward by managing challenges and evolving priorities effectively.

Required / Preferred Capabilities

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong analytical and research skills.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Travel: This position requires local travel within the region for regulatory or legislative meetings, political fundraisers, and other meetings with legislators (about 5% of the time).
• Location: The position requires residing in Sacramento.
• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, education, or a related field, preferred.

Preferred Capabilities

• Experience in government affairs, legislative advocacy, or public policy.
• Strong knowledge of California's legislative process and education policy landscape.
• Passion for education reform and the mission of charter schools.

Benefits and Salary

This is a non-exempt position. Compensation range for this position is $30.00 - $32.24 hourly. Selected candidates will be offered starting compensation based on years of aligned experience and any specialized training or certifications (if preferred for the position). Our organization is deeply committed to equity, and thus has a no-negotiation policy. CCSA also offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including medical, dental and vision coverage upon hire, 401K eligibility with a company match (up to 6%) after the first 90 days of employment, and generous paid time off.