Program and Committee Associate

Job Description

Job Description

The Council of State Governments West (CSG West) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization serving the western state legislatures of Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, the Pacific islands of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and Guam.

Located in Sacramento, California, CSG West facilitates regional cooperation, exchange of information, and fosters the strengthening of western legislative institutions through a variety of programs and services. This includes policy forums, professional development training, international relations opportunities, research, publications, and institutional linkages with other regional or national entities.

CSG West is one of four regions of CSG, which was founded in 1933 and is our nation's only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG's unique regional and national structure invites focused participation from policymakers on a more intimate, regional level while also providing a national platform to exchange ideas and information. This structure also provides western lawmakers an opportunity to engage with state officials of all three branches of state government, access a myriad of national policy research, and stay abreast of national trends and developments in Washington, D.C. impacting state governments.

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to and with the direction of the director of policy & international programs and Professional Development Manager, the Program and Committee Associate contributes to the organization's policy objectives, professional development initiatives, and engagement with regional policymakers and other stakeholders. This includes coordinating and providing policy committee and professional development program support. In addition, the position conducts other duties as assigned to support the mission of CSG West.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides administrative, logistical and communications support of policy committees and professional development programs, including the Western Legislative Academy, Westrain, and Leadership Excellence for Nonpartisan Staff.
• Prepares and delivers correspondence, including memos, electronic transmissions, letters, and policies.
• Conducts entry-level policy research, follows up on activities, and provides information to members of policy committees and programs.
• Assists in the development of a range of written products, including resource guides, directories, program reports and policy analysis.
• Assists in meeting planning and coordination activities and maintains communication with policy/program staff and meeting planning staff.
• Interacts with legislators and legislative staff through ongoing communications, including state visits, conference calls, and webinars.
• Monitors timelines, budgets and deliverables to ensure that responsibilities and objectives are completed in assigned committee/program areas.
• Contributes to the content development and auditing of related website content and strategizes with the director of policy & international programs on ways to use the web and other social media tools to promote policy goals.
• Helps plan and execute policy- and training-focused meetings of high-ranking government officials, stakeholders and national experts by assisting in agenda development, confirming speakers, providing support to policy and program staff, and summarizing agreements reached.
• Engages new contacts in the field, including relevant regional organizations and professional development practitioners, to serve as formal or informal partners.
• Advises the director of policy & international programs and policy staff of relevant program developments and other work in the field that can be leveraged for the advancement of program goals.
• Actively participates in staff discussions and strategic planning meetings.
• Develops a knowledge base in various policy areas.
• Monitors state legislation or activities and disseminates as appropriate.
• Serves as a liaison to one or more CSG West member state.
• When directed, assists on special projects and provides support to other CSG West and CSG National programs, including but not limited to, the Legislative Service Agency and Research Directors Committee, CSG Policy Academies, and other forums.
• Provides excellent customer service, communications and outreach to legislators, their respective staff, nonpartisan legislative agencies, CSG staff and all stakeholders.
• Prepares surveys or other instruments to gather information for evaluating program efforts and marketing options.
• Performs all other reasonably assigned responsibilities and duties to support the overall mission of the organization.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Dedication to public service with an unfailing commitment to act with civility, be nonpartisan in performing CSG duties, and be a responsible steward of member and donor funds.
• An understanding of state legislative institutions and the legislative process.
• Driven to provide excellent customer service.
• Strong research, writing and editing skills.
• Analytical, with an ability to think critically, distill and present complex information in a concise manner.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, professional demeanor, and an ability to work independently and in a highly collaborative team environment.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and complete multiple simultaneous projects in a detail-oriented manner.
• Possess effective computer skills, specifically Microsoft Office programs, and social media platforms
• Possesses skills in operating various office equipment such as copy machine, postage machine and telephone system.
• Excellent work ethic, dependable, resourceful and willing to work non-traditional hours- usually dependent on events.
• Ability to function in high pressure and fast paced environments.
• Self-motivated, able to take initiative and see complex tasks through completion.
• Ability to speak and write in Spanish to support the organization's binational programs a plus.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• A Bachelor of Arts degree in a related field, such as political science, public administration, public policy, communications, organizational leadership, nonprofit administration; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of two years of coordinating committee/program support, meeting planning, and/or legislative experience. Preference given to candidates who have experience in state legislative process.

COMPENSATION

The salary range for this position, based in Sacramento, CA is $53,000 to $60,000. This salary range is subject to change based on work location and market conditions.

To learn more about careers at CSG, and about our comprehensive benefit offerings, including medical, dental, vision, retirement, paid time off, PSLF eligibility and more, please visit our website here.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

This position requires submitting a cover letter, resume and two writing samples (no more than three pages each) along with the application. These items can be uploaded in the "Additional Information" section of the application.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. Equal Employment Opportunity employer (veterans/individuals with disabilities).