CASA & CASA IN ACTION SYNOPSIS:

CASA’s mission is to create a more just society by building power and improving the quality of life in low-income immigrant communities. Our vision is a future with diverse and thriving communities living free from discrimination and fear, working together with mutual respect to achieve full human rights for all. CASA de Maryland has created a separate affiliate to expand the tools we have available to serve the immigrant community. CASA in Action is a separate, but related, nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Although CASA and CASA in Action share a common goal of supporting immigrants and low-income people in the mid-Atlantic, they are separate organizations. Each is a separate nonprofit corporation with its own board of directors. A set of employees at the two organizations, including the person filling this position, shares their time between the two organizations. This has no effect on salary or benefits.

DEPARTMENT SYNOPSIS:

The newly formed Advocacy Department supports CASA campaigns to advance new rights in areas important to and chosen by CASA and CASAinAction members including immigration, health, environmental justice, police reform, Puerto Rico self-determination, housing, and more. The Advocacy Department works closely with other departments to advance CASA in Action and CASA’s campaigns federally and in Maryland and supports excellence in the design and implementation of our campaigns in other states.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The role of the Federal Specialist is to design and implement federal advocacy campaigns to advance fundamental rights for CASA members to advance racial and immigrant justice through legislative and administrative lobbying on the federal level. As a grassroots organization, CASA engages in these campaigns in partnership with our members, and the specialist will directly lead campaigns and engage member leaders to direct those campaigns.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Policy

• Lobby on behalf of member priority issues; ensure the construction of successful campaign plans; provide coordination to the CASA team assigned to successfully implement the plan.
• Monitor and document pending legislative and regulatory actions that affect the community
• Draft legislation, amendments, fact sheets, member profiles, and research reports on agenda priorities. Remain current on related advances in other regions
• Perform research on topics of advocacy; write talking points, reports, profiles of impacted persons.
• Prepare member education materials and training on advocacy campaigns
• Support the campaigns team in the performance of logistics for events and representation before key coalitions
• Write policy memos, briefs, and handbooks for key audiences that translate data insights into actionable policy recommendations.
• Independently devise and author incisive short pieces in CASA’s core issue areas.
• Draft persuasive pieces such as op-eds or essays in CASA’s core issue areas / provide content on CASA federal campaigns to other CASA departments including communications to lift up on web.

Outreach and network management:

• Advocate directly with federal government officials - legislative and administrative - to share CASA data and insights and feedback on CASA key issues and concerns. Monitor key opportunities to engage the public at critical advocacy moments on policy and funding. Develop a calendar of events and, in coordination with other CASA departments, ensure quality community mobilization at such events.

• Organize, facilitate, and participate in CASA’s lobby events, including member coordination and advocacy training
• Draft fact sheets, take action alerts, member profiles, and other written advocacy documents as needed on agenda priorities. Perform research on advocacy topics.
• Represent CASA on issue-related boards and task forces.
• Build and maintain a network/database of federal legislative and administrative leaders aligned in CASA’s work by participating in calls, meetings, webinars, panels and written exchanges sharing CASA’s values, data and expertise.
• Present to external audiences on behalf of CASA and represent the organization at conferences and other venues. Respond to stakeholder and media requests for data and information as needed.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Understand and promote CASA membership and services.

• Meet deadlines established by the supervisor and in Department and individual work plan.
• Think creatively about ways to improve further his/her specific job and the organization.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent job experience

• Valid US Driver’s License and a reliable vehicle

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Deep commitment to social change and to growing CASA and CASA in Action as membership organizations in which members have decision-making authority.

• Ability to perform all of the duties outlined above.
• Deep commitment to social change and to growing CASA and CASA in Action as membership organizations in which members have decision-making authority.
• Demonstrated interest in and familiarity with the policymaking process gained through prior work experience in the federal government, on the Hill, or in state or local government
• Demonstrated fluency in methods of both quantitative and qualitative analysis.
• Excellent oral and writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and negotiation skills. Ability to connect with a wide variety of administrative, organizational, and grassroots leaders.
• Outgoing and highly charismatic personality is a must.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple ongoing projects. The position requires strong attention to detail and relentless follow-up.
• Experience working with immigrant or low-income communities; commitment to progressive issues
• Skills with Microsoft Office programs including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and desktop publishing software.
• Ability to hold privileged information in a professional and confidential manner.
• Must be able to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends. Early morning, late evening, and weekend hours are common.
• At least two years of experience creating partnerships and coalitions.
• At least two years of experience with advocacy and lobbying experience.
• Valid US Driver’s License and own transportation is a must. Must be comfortable driving passengers in a van and/or driving community members in personal vehicle from time to time.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

ADA: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

OSHA: This position is not to handle any human body fluids, biological agents, laboratory chemicals, or be exposed to hazardous materials such as noise, asbestos, or carcinogens.

This is a union position, represented in collective bargaining by a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Communication Workers of America, Local WBNG 32035 - Communication Workers of America (CWA). If you are offered and accept this position, you will be invited to become a member of the union. All bargaining unit positions require membership or agency fee payer status.

CASA Inc. and CASA in Action do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, mental or physical disability, ancestry, marital status and national origin.

This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

CASA has implemented a mandatory vaccination policy effective 02 June 2021, requiring COVID‑19 vaccination(s) for all employees and prospective employees, AmeriCorps members, and paid or non-paid internships. In accordance with CASA's duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we are adopting this policy to safeguard the health of our employees, AmeriCorps members and interns, and their families, CASA members and visitors, and the community at large from infectious diseases that may be reduced by vaccinations. In making this decision, the executive leadership team reviewed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, CASA’s Legal Counsel and local health officials. All prospective employees will be required to provide proof of COVID‑19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation prior to the first day of employment with CASA. AmeriCorps member candidates will be required to provide proof of COVID‑19 vaccination or appropriate medical / religious accommodation documentation at the time of presenting proof of citizenship and SSN eligibility.