Job description

U.S. PIRG is seeking a Federal Legislative Director to lead our D.C.-based advocacy team. We champion the public interest — to speak out for a healthier, safer world in which we’re freer to pursue our own individual well-being and the common good. PIRG researchers, advocates and organizers overcome the influence of powerful interests to deliver concrete results on issues ranging from air and water pollution to consumer protection. We’re looking for people who don’t care about labels like progressive or conservative, and want to make an immediate difference in people’s lives.

U.S. PIRG’s federal priorities include:

• Right to repair: We should be able to fix our stuff when it breaks. We’re advocating for laws that require the companies who make our stuff to give us the right to repair our stuff.
• Consumer protection: Unsafe toys, hidden bank fees and surprise medical bills are just some of the problems consumers shouldn’t have to put up with. We’re empowering consumers and advocating for needed reforms to federal laws.
• A healthy environment: Thanks to our work, more kids are riding clean electric buses to school instead of dirty diesel ones that can cause asthma. U.S. PIRG is also working to halt plastic pollution, end the use of toxic pesticides and stop the overuse of antibiotics.

These problems aren’t progressive or conservative. They affect all of us, whether we live in a blue state, red state or purple state. That’s why we’re looking for advocates who are eager to work with people across the political spectrum to make progress on concrete problems and solutions.

Working with state PIRGs in more than 20 states, U.S. PIRG’s federal legislative team has resources far beyond the confines of the beltway. Our coordinated approach has won hundreds of victories, from safer consumer products to cleaner air. 

If you’re ready to work hard to find common ground around commonsense ideas and have significant advocacy, organizing, campaign and/or leadership experience, U.S. PIRG might be the place for you. This position requires exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions in matters of significance.

REPRESENTATIVE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and advance our federal policy agenda, including our work to strengthen consumer protections, ban single-use plastics, transform our transportation system, give consumers the right to repair, and reduce costs in the healthcare system.
• Fundraise from charitable foundations and individual donors to support our program.
• Recruit, hire and manage advocates to make more progress on our campaigns.
• Lobby Congress and the federal government on our policy priorities. Advocate for our positions and persuade decisionmakers to act.
• Develop collaborative relationships with legislators and congressional staff on both sides of the aisle, federal agencies, partner organizations, coalitions, and other stakeholders to advance our policy goals.
• Serve as a spokesperson for U.S. PIRG and our campaigns in the media, with partners, and with decisionmakers.
• Draft materials for lawmakers, the public, and the media to help advance our campaigns, including opinion editorials, press releases, campaign action emails, factsheets, bill summaries, regulatory comments and presentations.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will be:

• An experienced communicator with excellent writing and verbal skills.
• Creative, effective at solving complex problems, and a strategic thinker who can take advantage of new opportunities. 
• A good people-person and listener with a track record of successful access-building. 
• Well-organized and able to work on multiple legislative and administrative proposals, and manage multiple projects independently. 
• Experienced in campaign advocacy, grassroots organizing, coalition building and/or campaign politics for at least 5 years. 

• Committed to our vision of building a new politics that faces today’s challenges head on.
• Candidates should also have a track record of working with people with different views or backgrounds to accomplish shared goals. 

Experience in a legislative office within Congress, a state legislature, or another organization is a plus but not required. 

LOCATION 

Washington, D.C. 

COMPENSATION

Target annual compensation for this position is commensurate with the relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees that a candidate has. U.S. PIRG offers a competitive benefits package.

Things to Know When You Apply

Why work with PIRG? Here are ten reasons: https://pirg.org/why-work-with-us/

U.S. PIRG is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change. Visit https://pirg.org/core-values/ for things you should know about our network when you apply.

PIRG is an equal opportunity employer.

COVID-19: We take COVID-19 safety very seriously. Employees must follow our COVID safety protocols and be fully vaccinated and boostered. Accommodations are provided to the extent required by law.

Location

Details

Employer
US PIRG

Job category
Advocacy

Employment type
Full Time

Experience
5+ years

Compensation
Target annual compensation for this position is commensurate with the relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees that a candidate has. U.S. PIRG offers a competitive benefits package.

Start date

Apply by September 11, 2023