United Steelworkers

Legislative and Policy Technician

Based in Washington, DC

 

USW Legislative & Policy Department, Washington, DC – As North America’s largest industrial union, the USW represents workers throughout the traditional and clean manufacturing economy and is growing in a wide range of other sectors including, but not limited to, health care, education, tech, and the public sector.

Summary Job Description:
The USW seeks a dynamic and effective legislative representative for the union and its members. This position will support the interests of the union through policy analysis and advocacy with elected officials and policymakers at the federal, state, and local level, as assigned, to benefit USW members and grow the labor movement. Issue areas of responsibility will include the growing clean technology sector (solar, wind, batteries, innovative materials, etc.) and may include other priority issues to the union such as workers’ rights and environmental protections.

A qualified applicant should be able to succeed working alone or in a team with other USW departments and/or regional districts in the development and execution of research, strategies, and written material to advance USW’s legislative and regulatory priorities. The legislative representative will build and maintain strong relationships with Congressional and agency staff as well as with allied organizations and industry to develop and promote USW’s policy goals.

This bargaining unit position includes a generous benefits package including a defined benefit pension, 401(k), medical, dental, and vision coverage. Collectively bargained salary bands currently are $72,583 to $111,092. Experience will be factored into initial pay band placement.

This position is based in USW’s Washington, D.C. office, which is operating as a hybrid workplace requiring regular in-office work. The legislative representative will report directly to the USW Director of Regulatory & State Policy and the USW Legislative Director.

Responsibilities/Qualifications:
The successful candidate will have a combination of education and experience that enables:

• Understanding of USW’s broad membership, structure and policy goals. Ability to produce thorough research related to clean tech sectors that employ USW members.
• Understanding of labor law and the workers’ rights landscape in clean tech manufacturing.
• Effective communications and advocacy of the union’s policy positions with congressional committees, staff, members of Congress, federal agencies and other key stakeholders, where appropriate.
• Ability to articulate legislative activity and policy to USW district and international leadership as requested.
• Ability to research and understand implications of specific legislative and regulatory actions on USW’s membership. Due to USW’s membership diversity, this can often fall outside of assigned industry sectors or issue areas.
• Strong writing ability required for preparation of congressional testimony, agency comments, position papers, talking points, and correspondence to policymakers. This includes communications for grassroots campaigns and education.
• Ability to interact with industry representatives on mutually beneficial policy positions. Ability to understand when industry aims are potentially detrimental to USW membership interests.
• Ability to think strategically and work in a team to develop and execute issue-related lobbying efforts to further USW goals.
• Capable speaker who is comfortable interacting with a diverse audience, ranging from rank and file union members to federal policymakers.
• Ability to develop workshops and presentations for conferences and congressional briefings on assigned items.
• Ability to work with USW communications staff to simply explain complex issues in statements, letters to the editor and social media platforms. With approval, speak with media or develop professional social media presence on USW legislative and policy positions to which assigned.
• Self-starter with good organizational and planning skills to enable management of multiple priorities as well as keeping track of and completion of projects.
• Aptitude in Microsoft Office suite of products.
• Work travel will be required.
• Ability to work irregular hours when necessary.

To Apply:
Please send résumé, cover letter and writing samples to Carolyn Keys at ckeys@usw.org with the subject line “Legislative and Policy Technician.”