ASUW JOB DESCRIPTION
TITLE: Office of Government Relations Director
CATEGORY: ASUW Services
REPORTS TO: Personnel Director
TERM: 33 Weeks
HOURS: 20 Hours/Week for Autumn
39 Hours/Week for Winter
20 Hours/Week for Spring
PAY RATE: $10.92/HR
JOB SUMMARY:
The Office of Government Relations Director researches legislative issues of relevance to the students of the University of Washington and communicates the findings of this research to the local government, the Washington State Legislature, and the United States Congress for the purpose of advocating in the interest of the ASUW. As the Director, they oversee the Office of Government Relations through its staff, strategic planning and resources. They will work to coordinate the ASUW lobbying efforts and student involvement in Seattle, Olympia, and Washington D.C., coinciding with state, UW (Seattle, Bothell, and Tacoma), and the Washington Student Association –where the agendas agree- and the ASUW guidelines. The Director will spend winter quarter living in Olympia and coordinating the ASUW lobbying efforts and direct the OGR staff and office throughout the academic year.
JOB DESCRIPTION:
1. Conduct and coordinate the ASUW lobbying activities and functions, in accordance with the ASUW legislative agenda, as directed by the Board of Directors.
2. Oversee the Office of Government Relations Assistant Director and all coordination, planning and implementation in the operating activities of the office.
3. Support and provide guidance for the Assistant Director and Coordinators with internal development, program development, planning, implementation, and evaluation when needed.
4. Lead Office of Government Relations staff meetings and prepare agendas. Work with staff to ensure weekly collective office meetings. If attendance is not possible, the Director must submit a written report of his/her weekly activities.
5. Research and prepare a presentation on legislative issues for the BOD by the end of autumn quarter.
6. Present relevant items to the Legislature by testifying at committee hearings and by meeting with Legislators individually.
7. Coordinate with student associations at peer institutions on legislative issues and meet with relevant parties prior to the session to evaluate relevant student concerns.
8. Attend Legislative Steering Committee meetings. If attendance is not possible, the Director must submit a written report of his/her activities.
9. Obtain a contract for session-long apartment rental and present it to the Finance & Budget Committee or/and the SAO Advisor before the end of Autumn Quarter.
10. Each week during the Legislative Session prepare a written report to the OGR Assistant Director, President, Personnel Director and Director of Policy and Procedure containing a status report of all bills dealing with higher education, a committee meeting schedule for the following week, an update of bills the ASUW is tracking, a synopsis of meetings including date, time, legislator contacted, and issue discussed, and a copy of all bills and/or reports which were filed during the week.
11. Update the President, Director of Policy & Procedures, and the OGR staff if there are any amendments made to these policies, and forward these changes to related organizations.
12. Attend meetings set up by the President to plan for the legislative session, along with the Director of Policy and Procedures and all the OGR positions. Report to the Director of Policy and Procedures and the President to maintain these goals and discuss current state issues, legislative policy and report on progress.
13. Speak at the Board of Directors and at Student Senate at least one time during the legislative session and more times as requested by the Board of Directors or Student Senate.
14. Coordinate with the UW Administration on legislative issues where the agendas agree.
15. Coordinate testimony given at committee hearings by the ASUW.
16. Be responsible for the preparation of supporting documentation and fact sheets for legislators and staff during the session.
17. Be familiar with agendas to be introduced by other interest groups and state agencies regarding Higher Education prior to the session.
18. Attend Washington Student Association (WSA) State Board meetings as an ex-officio member.
19. Attend meetings with the Student Activities Office (SAO) advisor as needed and upon request.
20. Sit on interviews set by the ASUW personnel Committee for hiring of the OGR positions (if not reapplying) to assure continuity.
21. Oversee the planning and submission of the OGR annual budget by the Assistant Director in accordance with the guidelines established by the ASUW Finance & Budget Committee.
22. Prepare and submit quarterly reports detailing activities, budget status, and problems/suggestions according to the procedure set by the Director of Policy and Procedures and Personnel Director.
23. Maintain and inform the ASUW Personnel Director and the Student Activities Office (SAO) adviser of all completed and missed office hours, including any absences due to sickness, personal emergencies or work-related trips.
24. Meet with SAO adviser as needed and upon request, as well as participating in a quarterly evaluation process.
25. Attend ASUW mandatory training sessions and staff meetings, including but not limited to the ASUW Fall Orientation and ASUW Personnel meetings.
26. Review and adhere to conditions of employment as stated in the ASUW Personnel Policy, the signed ASUW Memorandum of Understanding and the Student Employment Handbooks. All actions must also follow the laws and procedures set by ASUW, SAO and the State of Washington.
27. Responsible for initiating a thorough transition with newly hired successor before finals week of Spring Quarter to instill institutional memory and ensure continuity. Prepared documents, such as a transition binder/folder, are recommended.
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Understanding of federal, state, and local legislative processes and structures.
2. Understanding of state higher education structure and relevant issues.
3. Availability to live in Olympia during the legislative session in Winter Quarter.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of OGR and legislative policy, with the intention of continuing and pursuing its long-term goals.
5. Experience with the state legislative process preferred.
6. Strong writing and speaking skills.
7. Strong interpersonal skills.
8. Must be a UW student enrolled in at least 6 undergraduate or 4 graduate credits or on leave as defined by Executive Order 50.
Associated Students of the University of Washington
HUB 121, 4001 E Stevens Way NE
Seattle, WA 98195
Last Updated 4.18.13
Office of Government Relations Director, Pg. 4