DEPARTMENT NAME: Government Relations
LOCATION: Sacramento
REPORTS TO: Senior Director, Tobacco Advocacy & Lung Health
WHO WE ARE:
The American Lung Association is one of the nation’s oldest voluntary health organizations. Founded in 1904 as the National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis – dedicated to combating tuberculosis (TB), the most dreaded disease of the time. Now in our second century, the American Lung Association is the leading organization working to save lives, improve lung health and prevent lung disease.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Policy Analyst will serve as a key point of contact on lung-health and patient advocacy related policy matters for the American Lung Association in California and, in particular, tobacco-related policy matters for California’s tobacco prevention and control community, by providing technical assistance and policy expertise. Provide resources (fact sheets, testimony, and analysis) to advocate for ALA-supported public policy on lung health related issues. Assist in the development and implementation of a statewide Government Relations plan reflecting ALA mission and outcomes. This position reports to the Senior Director, Tobacco Advocacy & Lung Health and is an integral member of the American Lung Association in California’s Government Relations team.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Track, analyze and write summaries about on bills relating to tobacco control, lung-health and patient advocacy introduced by the California Legislature and key state tobacco-related budget matters impacting California’s tobacco tax-funded programs.
Research, monitor and analyze tobacco-related policy activity at the local level and provide comprehensive data and other technical assistance resources to local coalitions and partner agencies via written materials and presentations.
Track new policies. Review municipal code/ordinance to determine if the policy fits within our grading criteria, and if so, update our statewide grade counts excel sheet in order to have current information. Respond to requests from tobacco control advocates, California state government staff, and other interested parties across the state regarding statewide grade counts and other statewide policies.
Develop policy recommendations, letters, briefings, talking points, etc. for internal review and discussion among the Government Relations team. Provide timely information to state legislators on lung-health, patient advocacy and tobacco control topics as relating to current bills via meetings, testimony and written communications. Attend hearings on bills of importance.
Write and edit government relations fact sheets, testimony, legislative letters, briefing sheets on policy issues, and contribute to action alerts for advocate network, recruitment materials, and press materials in conjunction with communications staff and volunteers
Review and research pertinent sources of data, fact-checking figures and statistics as stated in public releases. Assist in editing letters of support and oppose on specific policy positions, as well as additional public-facing documents.
Contribute to signature ALA reports like the State of Tobacco Control. Track, analyze, and grade local policy ordinances for all 482 cities and 58 counties across California as determined in key tobacco control policy issue areas. Interpret these grades and assess policy trends over time period, writing a narrative and completing the State of tobacco Control report. Assist in media release, editing press releases and outreach with Sacramento media and fulfilling interview requests.
Contribute to major ALA events like the Capitol Legislative Information and Education Day. Prepare and edit key messages document, assist and facilitate conference call meetings of Planning Workgroup, organize packet materials to go out for advocates across the state. On the day-of and leading up to event, assist in organizing meetings legislatures and delivering content to advocates.
Attend coalition meetings and city council hearings where appropriate to ensure the success of campaign objectives. Prepare appropriate policy content for these meetings and trainings, presenting educational resources for attendees.
Support alignment of development/fundraising activities, assist in the development and management of foundation/government grants. Join walk/climb teams and meet fundraising goals, provide updates and information on advocacy efforts that can be used in events of fundraising pitches, include fundraising pitch in advocacy emails to volunteers. Draft grant applications, grant reports, meetings with Foundation staff and coalition partners.
Identify policy success stories, personal stories and potential spokespeople for communications team to highlight internally and externally.
Work as an integral member of the American Lung Association in California’s Government Relations department and as an integrated member of the Lung Association’s local office.
JOB-RELATED QUALIFICATION STANDARDS
Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred. We will, however, consider non-degreed candidates with exceptional fundraising experience.
Requirements
Two to four of experience in public policy analysis, legislative affairs, or legislative advocacy.
Strong verbal, analytical and written skills, including the ability to write policy and advocacy materials.
Excel in grant writing and management including budgeting and financial management
Highly organized with excellent attention to detail, accuracy and quality.
Ability to work on a number of fast‐paced concurrent projects, prioritize and meet deadlines.
Represent the ALA and its mission in a professional manner at all times and takes responsibility for delivering on personal and organizational commitments.
Education
B.A. or B. S. Degree
Knowledge/Skills
Ability to meet concurrent deadlines
Manage multiple projects
Work autonomously in a creative and dynamic environment
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Interact effectively and tactfully with all levels of management
Strong problem solver
Demonstrates initiative
Ability to work in coalitions and with public agency staff
Ability to work in a team setting
Ability to respond to input, feedback and multiple/competing priorities
Work Experience
2-4yrs experience working in public health policy analysis, legislative affairs, or legislative advocacy, public health advocacy, and public policy development.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
General Office Activities – Walking, Standing, Sitting, Talking, Lifting, Finger Manipulation, etc
Ability to travel.
PHYSICAL HAZARDS – Health and Safety Concerns
General Office Environment
EQUIPMENT AND SPECIAL MATERIALS
Computer, printer, photocopy machine, fax machine, telephone, etc.
Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, LegInfo, Legal Research
How to apply
For consideration, please forward cover letter with resume and salary history to:
CAjobs@lung.org (Reference “Policy Analyst” in the subject line)
No Phone Calls
American Lung Association California (ALAC) does not accept resumes from third party recruitment/search firms. Please do not forward resumes to ALAC employees or any company locations or email addresses. ALAC is not responsible for any fees related to resumes not solicited by ALAC Recruiting. American Lung Association California (ALAC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.