Job Description: State Legislative Director

Position location: Washington, DC

Reports to: Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs

Summary:
The State Legislative Director is responsible for communicating with legislative and public policy advocates at the state/local level; understanding the broad landscape of LGBT political efforts at the state/local level; and providing information, legal and strategic analysis, training and support to state/local activists and organizations working to pass nondiscrimination laws, fight anti-LGBT legislation, promote full equality in family recognition, and promote other policies of benefit to LGBT people. The State Legislative Director is also responsible for coordinating cross-Task Force departments’ work on state and local legislative campaigns.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain close working relationships with state and local advocates and provide legal advice, bill drafting assistance, and legislative options to advance pro-LGBT action and thwart anti-LGBT actions.
• Work in close partnership with state and local advocates to develop legislative campaign strategy, train local activists in the mechanics of a grassroots legislative campaign, and guide local leaders throughout the legislative campaign process.
• Develop and maintain resources of state and local legislative materials, including existing laws, model language, briefing papers, fact sheets, maps and charts, etc. on key policy issues. Track potential and pending state legislation and prepare state legislative updates.
• Work in partnership with staff of other national legal, advocacy, and legislative organizations on initiatives of benefit to state and local LGBT organizations.
• Provide presentations and training for local and state activists and leaders, including participation at The Task Force’s annual Creating Change conference.
• Recruit and supervise legal interns for research, writing and assistance.
• Conduct and/or supervise research into and analysis of public policy and existing/proposed state and local laws in a wide range of issues affecting LGBT people, including: budget analysis; family policy; racial and economic justice issues; anti-LGBT ballot initiatives; discrimination and workplace benefits; elections and representation issues; and other topics.
• Serve on cross-department working groups to ensure the appropriate and efficient provision of support and services to state and local colleagues.

Qualifications:

• J.D. degree, its equivalent, or a minimum of three years full-time experience in legislative drafting, analysis and/or lobbying at the state or local level.
• Experience as part of state legislative campaigns.
• Excellent research, writing, editing, and oral communication skills required, including public speaking.
• Ability to conduct accurate legal research and analysis in a fast-paced advocacy setting.
• Thorough understanding of the state legislative process.
• Well organized and self-directed and able to handle multiple tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team required.
• Demonstrated experience working in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement or allied social justice movements preferred.
• Spanish or other language ability in addition to English preferred.
• A minimum two-year commitment is expected.

COMPENSATION: Salary is commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits provided.

TO APPLY: In the body of an e-mail (no attached files), send letter and resume to dnoble@thetaskforce.org [1].

The Task Force is an equal opportunity employer. People of color, women and transgender people are especially encouraged to apply.