Legislative Director

Legislative DirectorRepresentative Andrea Valderrama is seeking an experienced Legislative Director (LD) to join her legislative team. The LD oversees the day-to-day operations and management of Representative Valderrama's office, not including intern and staff management. That falls to the Representative. The LD develops and implements legislative and budget agenda strategies, monitors bills and deadlines, budgets, and committees, and conducts extensive research to provide policy analysis and advice. The LD strategically builds and strengthens coalitions and community relations, collaborating with directly impacted communities to draft key messaging, communications, and correspondence. The LD also files necessary paperwork related to legislative and budget requests, staffs the Representative at Committee meetings, floor sessions, meetings, events, and performs other related duties as required. The Legislative Director reports directly to the Representative. This position is represented by IBEW Local 89.This is a limited duration position, beginning in early September and concluding March 31, 2026.Office SummaryRooted in the principles of racial, economic, disability, and gender justice, Representative Valderrama's legislative agenda, Delivering for Oregon: Thriving Families, Safe Communities, Stronger Schools, is focused on delivering meaningful results for all Oregonians, including:Thriving families with access to affordable homes and prescriptions;Essential services for elders, low-income families, and people with disabilities;Successful businesses offer fair wages and safe workplaces for workers.Resilient housing and transportation infrastructure to tackle our homelessness crisis and improve transportation safety;Quality education, especially for foster youth and Black and Brown communities;Safe, welcoming neighborhoods for immigrants, refugees, and LGBTQ+ individuals; andEnsuring every Oregonian has a voice in our democracy.Representative Valderrama currently serves on the following committees:Member, Joint Ways and Means / Member, Joint Emergency BoardCo-Chair, Joint Ways and Means subcommittee on Human ServicesMember, House Rules CommitteeMember, Joint Addiction and Community Safety ResponseKey ResponsibilitiesSupporting the Member in efforts to advance the policy agenda and legislative goals of the office. Develops and implements legislative strategies.Develops and implements budget agenda and strategies for key investments, and staffs the Representative for her budget committees.Providing counsel, guidance, and feedback on legislative initiatives and policy decisions.Monitoring committee hearings, floor debates, and reports on legislative action or developments.Tracking bills.Drafting letters, speeches, talking points, and testimony.Researching bills, policies, current laws, and topics. Creates reports based on findings.Working with legislative counsel to draft or amend legislation.Attending and staffing work groups, task forces, meetings, tours, and other events.Coordinating meetings, hearings, town halls, and other events. Assists with management of the Representative's calendar as needed.Contacting and arranging for speakers, presentersArranges travel and lodging accommodationsManages external communications, including social media accounts, newsletters, and press releases. Formulates and executes communication plans to ensure constituents understand the work being done.Interfaces with the general public, constituents, lobbyist, business leaders, other legislators, legislative staff, and interest groups to understand issues, draft legislation and help get legislation passed and signed into law.Provides responsive constituent services, such as tracking and assisting with responses to constituent communications, acting as a liaison to constituents, and helping to provide constituents with resources and solutions.Manages the day-to-day activities of the office, including clerical tasks, record keeping, research, and reports.Acts as the primary contact for all visitors, answers phones and emails.Building and sustaining relationships with elected officials, community leaders, lobbyists, and various other outside groups.Other key responsibilities as neededMinimum Job RequirementsBachelor's degree and three (3) to five (5) years of related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position may be considered.Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesThe work history and experience of the successful candidate will include:Institutionalizing racial, gender, and economic justice into policies, practices, and plansProven commitment to diversity, racial equity, and inclusion, especially in staff management practices and office cultureSubstantial experience in policy and budget-related advocacy, including direct lobbyingExperience working effectively with diverse populations and an approach that values differences of race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and ability, and socio-economic circumstanceGrassroots organizing and coalition workOregon state legislative processes and practicesOregon state budget process and advocacy requestsExisting legislation and its ramificationsHistorical and current context of policiesSkill in:Strategic planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of office goals, roles and responsibilities, systems, and cultureOffice oversight and managementExcellent problem-solving skills, ability to juggle multiple ongoing projects, and exercise good judgment under stressful situationsEffective verbal and written communication, including public speaking skillsData entry, tracking, reporting, and managementResearching and analyzing complex policy issuesEvent organizationAbility to:Pay close attention to detailManage time effectively and stay organizedMultitask and manage multiple projects simultaneouslyRemain calm and flexible under pressureUnderstand complex legislative, budget, and political issuesProvide excellent customer service and maintain a friendly, welcoming, and professional dispositionPreferred Skills & AbilitiesBilingual or multilingualDemonstrated experience and fluency with the following software: OLIS, Google Docs, Outlook Teams, and ZoomExperience in labor negotiations or collective bargainingKnowledge of current bills in progress in the legislative sessionTo review the position description in its entirety please click here.To ApplyIf you are not a state employee: To apply for this position, follow the "Apply" link and complete the application & questions online. If this is your first time applying in our new system "Workday", you will need to create a new user profile. You can even drag and drop your resume into Workday and it will read and generate your Work History Be sure to attach a cover letter and resume.Current State Employees: Login to Workday using the Career app on your Home Page. Prior to clicking "Apply", update your employee profile to reflect your Education, Skills, and Job History (including your current job).Attach your current cover letter and resume. Applications submitted without both documents may not be considered.Please monitor your Workday account, as all communication will be sent to you through this system. You must have a valid e-mail address to apply.This announcement closes at 11:59 PM on the close date listed.Special InformationThe Capitol Building will be undergoing extensive renovation and construction projects which may limit accessibility to employees. This will require Legislative employees to work both from home and within the building as the construction project dictates. While working from home, personal, stable and high-speed internet access will be required to perform the functions of this position. There may be occasions that require employees scheduled to be working from home, to report to the Capitol or an offsite building. Every effort will be made to provide reasonable notice. However, employees may be required to report to the building under short notice. The Capitol building is located at 900 Court Street NE, Salem, OR