Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) is a progressive and growing national organization that educates, organizes, and mobilizes the faith community and workers across the nation on issues and campaigns that improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for underpaid workers. The organization is looking for a Public Policy and DC Director to oversee the public policy education and advocacy of the organization and represent the organization in Washington DC.

Accountability: The position is directly accountable to the Executive Director.

Responsibilities: The person is responsible for the following work areas:

Program Leadership:

Develop and implement overall organizational public policy advocacy strategy.
Maintain the organization’s relationship with the Department of Labor and advocating for workers on DOL enforcement issues.
Develop and maintain relationships with key members of congress and congressional staffers.
Met regularly with union leadership to assist in the coordination of organizing campaigns.
Craft position statements on key issues for IWJ and working with faith group and denominational leadership to develop position statements.

Related tasks include:

Coordinate board members’ involvement in public policy campaigns.
Involve local interfaith groups and worker centers in public policy campaigns.
Develop grassroots systems for engaging congregations in public policy advocacy.

Communications and Fundraising:

Represent IWJ on appropriate coalitions, tables, and other educational opportunities.
Write needed background materials and action alerts.
Represent the organization in public and in the media on the issues.
Connect and engage donors on IWJ’s issues.

Staff and Board Leadership:

Provide staff support for the board of directors, especially the public policy committee.
Ensure that department goals and objectives are met.
Participate in staff management meetings.

Other:

In addition to the specific job responsibilities, the staff member will:

Represent the organization in meetings.
Participate in regular staff meetings and events.
Perform other tasks as requested.

Evaluation: The work will be evaluated annually based upon this job description’s responsibilities, the specific goals and objectives established each year, and the person’s cooperativeness and contributions in meeting the overall goals and objectives of the organization.

Additional Qualifications:

Ordained religious leader or publicly recognized religious leader in a leadership position.

Significant experience doing public policy education and advocacy in religious communities in Washington DC.

Strong public speaking presence.

Familiarity with the structures in the religious and labor communities.

Experience running an office and supervising staff.

Ability to travel, with regular visits to IWJ’s headquarters in Chicago.

How to apply

Please send cover letter, resume, and names with email and phone numbers of three professional references to jobs@iwj.org . Put “Public Policy Director” in the subject line. No calls please.