Federal Policy Professional Staff

Reports to: Vice President, External Affairs

Team: Federal Policy

About Us:

Council for a Strong America (CSA) is a bipartisan non-profit organization located in Washington, D.C., with offices across the country. CSA engages law enforcement, military, and business leaders who promote evidence-based policies and programs that enable kids to be healthy, well-educated and prepared for productive lives.

Job Overview:

The Federal Policy Professional Staff Member plays a key role in implementing CSA’s bipartisan federal policy agenda. The staff member will work directly with the team to develop and maintain relationships with Members of Congress and staff, support CSA’s members, and help track congressional contacts. The professional staff member will strengthen congressional and Administration relationships, monitor key Congressional committee actions and track pertinent legislation and executive branch action for internal and external audiences.

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Identifying key policy and advocacy opportunities;

2. Assisting in developing policy and advocacy strategies to achieve policy victories for children and youth in Congress and with the Executive Branch;

3. Scheduling and attending meetings with Congressional staff and Members of Congress and federal agency staff (with organization members);

4. Coordinating activity with other internal teams to further federal policy objectives;

5. Developing and maintaining strong relationships with Congressional and agency staff;

6. Attending hearings, briefings, mark-ups and meetings and providing insightful and actionable recommendations to increase CSA’s impact; 

7. Developing substantive advocacy materials on a variety of subjects of interest to CSA, including background documents, talking points, letters, testimony, fact sheets, formal comments to federal agencies, etc.;

8. Briefing members of CSA organizations on research and legislative details in preparation for meeting with policymakers or congressional briefings;

9. Briefing and presenting to CSA staff, allies, or Congressional and administration staff on research and policy details; 

10. Contributing to federal policy messaging, Hill and Administration outreach activities, and the planning and execution of Hill-facing events; and

11. Maintaining the federal policy aspects of the CSA database, recording outcomes and next steps for all Hill meetings and interactions, and providing analysis and reports to demonstrate CSA impact in policy change.

Skills, Competencies, and Knowledge Required for the Position:

Essential Qualifications:

1. Strong commitment to CSA’s mission, strategic vision, and bipartisan approach;

2. At least two to four years of legislative Capitol Hill experience (as a staff member, lobbyist, policy advocate, etc.: this is not an entry-level position);

3. Knowledgeable about or demonstrated interest in the U.S. Congress and the legislative and federal agency processes;

4. Demonstrated ability to be an effective and persuasive communicator, both orally and in writing;

5. Ability to perform complex legislative and regulatory research on a variety of subjects and ability to make recommendations on possible courses of action; 

6. Ability to juggle multiple projects at a time, and respond rapidly and flexibly to changing priorities, while meeting deadlines;

7. Proficient with Google suite, communication tools, and Microsoft Office – expertise with spreadsheets especially valuable;

8. Ability to lead effective meetings with high-profile membership;

9. Ability to advocate independently and effectively in meetings on Capitol Hill and the Administration, with both staff and policymakers;

10. Ability to operate in coalitions of like-minded organizations working on issue issues affecting children;

11. Ability to effectively manage upwards;

12. Willingness to learn with keen attention to detail and organization; and

13. Ability to work in a collegial manner with a diverse group of colleagues in the national office in Washington, D.C., and across 10 state offices.

Desirable Qualifications:

1. Pre-existing relationships with current congressional staff in both parties and Administration staff;

2. Current bipartisan, bicameral relationships and a record of legislative accomplishments with congressional leadership and committees, including Appropriations, Agriculture, Armed Services, HELP, Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, and/or Finance:

3. Demonstrated record of bipartisan legislative and policy accomplishments;

4. Experience advocating for, or working on, children’s policy issues, including the early care and learning system, child nutrition programs, home visiting, and child poverty alleviation;

5. Working knowledge of Salesforce CRM;

6. Expertise with spreadsheets for sorting, analyzing, and managing policy and constituent data for advocacy.

Minimum experience required: Minimum of two to four years experience in government, advocacy, campaigns, or government relations. This is not an entry-level position. 

Strongly preferable experience: Minimum of two to four years of Capitol Hill experience as a legislative correspondent, legislative assistant, legislative aide, professional committee staff, or legislative director.

Travel Required? Yes – Average Frequency: 2 days per quarter

Salary: Competitive salary, commensurate with experience.

Benefits and Perks: Generous insurance coverage for Medical, Vision, and Dental. 403 (b) retirement savings plan match. 11 paid Government holidays, ½ days before holidays, and no meeting Fridays - every other Friday to promote work-life balance. Paid maternity/paternity/adoptive/foster care paid leave. 2 days per calendar year to Invest in Kids which can be spent with children you know or volunteering. Flexible spending accounts, fully paid premiums for life insurance, long-term and short-term disability as well as long-term care. Gym, and cellphone subsidies. All staff is able to participate in our Professional Development program, which provides funds and 2 paid days of leave annually that staff can use towards continued Learning and Development. We are a hybrid work environment, with flexible scheduling and telework options. All new hires are enrolled in our Mentorship program upon joining CSA to assist with onboarding to our organization and culture.

Minimum Education:  Bachelor's level degree

Application Procedure

Only applications with a resume and cover letter explaining their interest and qualifications for the position included will be considered. Please also attach a 1-2 page writing sample such as a memo, press release, fact sheet, or congressional or advocacy letter. Do not send an academic paper. Click the link to apply.

Council for a Strong America is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and strongly encourage all to apply. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for our employees.