Legislative and Electoral Fellow, Winter 2019

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon is seeking fellows for the 2019 legislative session. PPAO is the statewide political voice for Planned Parenthood’s two affiliates in Oregon and for reproductive health care. PPAO defends the Planned Parenthood mission by advocating for public policy that will enhance and protect reproductive health care; by building support and accountability among our elected officials in Oregon; and by engaging and motivating the public. Our fellows are integral in our efforts to protect and expand the critical healthcare services that Planned Parenthood provides: family planning, lifesaving cancer treatments, and safe and legal abortion. At a time when many states are struggling to maintain a hold on access and funding, and when our access to reproductive health care is under consistent federal attack, Oregon is leading the way by safeguarding access to reproductive health care.

As a Legislative and Electoral Fellow, you will gain crucial experience in the political and nonprofit fields. Fellows will work with PPAO staff to implement a government relations strategy, which includes lobbying elected officials, attending town hall forums, driving constituent contact into the Legislature, health center advocacy, story collection and youth organizing. In addition to working on PPAO’s legislative issues, fellows will also gain experience in electoral work. You’ll immerse yourself in a high-impact voter contact experience and be a driving force in our grassroots campaign to reach out to Oregon voters and educate them on our issues and our endorsed candidates. You will also have an opportunity to participate in a statewide organizing training led by our coalition partners, and you will learn and use grassroots organizing skills that create movement for real social change while engaging in important electoral and legislative efforts that will serve Oregonians for years to come.

This fellowship will provide real-world experience and valuable résumé-building skills in many aspects of political and community engagement work including: advocacy, supporter outreach, voter identification, voter contact and mobilization, volunteer recruitment and management, volunteer leadership training, lobbying, fund raising and data management. Fellows must be able to commit to 12-15 hours a week, primarily weeknights, and some day trips to Oregon’s Capitol. Fellows are eligible to receive college credit and a small stipend. This fellowship is offered in Eugene and Portland as a 6-month opportunity, beginning in January 2019 and ending in June 2019. Longer terms may be available.

Responsibilities

• Conduct phone outreach and voter persuasion and drive constituent contact.
• Participate in and lead grassroots lobbying efforts at the Oregon Legislature, and in district working closely with staff to implement lobby activities in Salem.
• Work closely with staff and other fellows to implement and organize constituent and supporter outreach.
• Assist with lobbying elected leaders regarding their votes on bills of interest.
• Ensure that Planned Parenthood has a visible presence and a voice at town hall forums.
• Help with trainings or education sessions on pending legislation and ballot measure issues.
• Help with capacity and base-building efforts in anticipation of the 2020 election.
• Help manage the flow of data by keeping internal database current and accurate.
• Perform other duties as agreed upon.

Qualifications

• High level of commitment and passion for the reproductive healthcare movement.
• Desire to learn firsthand about advocacy, grassroots organizing and legislative processes.
• Outstanding phone and verbal communication skills.
• High energy, positive attitude and ability to be flexible in a fast-moving environment.
• Availability on weekends and weeknights and for multiple visits to Salem with staff.
• Must be able to participate in the Fair Shot for All Coalition Organizing Training on January 19th, 2019.

For more information or to apply, please submit a cover letter and résumé to Chelsea Jennings (Eugene) or Lindsey Sadlou (Portland) no later than January 2nd, 2019.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonable duties as assigned by the supervisor or other management. Job descriptions, including minimum requirements and job responsibilities, will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a nondiscriminatory work environment. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, application for workers’ compensation benefits, use of statutory protected leave, veteran or military status, pregnancy, union activity, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Planned Parenthood is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus and innovation.

Political Director

Overview

The Political Director is responsible for serving as the primary government relations staff member for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon (PPAO). Leading the lobbying and advocacy agenda in the state capitol and in other venues as assigned. The Political Director collaborates with the Policy Director to develop and implement a strategic advocacy program. The Political Director oversees legislative strategy, coordination with political allies, liaison with formal and informal coalitions as assigned, and represents PPAO in organizational involvement in candidate and ballot measure campaigns as assigned and in coordination with the Executive Director and Field Director. The Political Director will also take a leadership role in community outreach to build support for Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon (PP-PAC) in coordination with the Executive Director and board. The Political Director reports to the Executive Director, and works closely with the Field and Policy Directors on coordination of all legislative and lobbying plans and activities, and with the Field Director on synchronizing the advocacy and political agenda with grassroots initiatives.

Responsibilities

The Political Director will be responsible for the following:

• Development of legislative, executive branch and local government lobbying strategies and plans, executing priorities of the organization.
• Development and implementation of tactical steps to achieve the organization’s policy priorities through advocacy with state and local elected officials and appointed decision-makers. The Political Director will work in coordination with the Policy Director to utilize their research and involve them as needed and in preparing PPAO spokespeople and testimony.
• Oversee the PP-PAC endorsement process, including assistance in coordinating with campaign personnel, caucus personnel and legislative leadership.
• Build electoral campaign plans to achieve victories for targets established by PP-PAC board of directors, in collaboration with Field Director.
• Support for the Field Director in implementing the organization’s targeted campaign plans by providing strategic input, research, and connections to candidate campaigns and caucuses.
• Development and nurturing of relationships with other organizations in progressive coalition, and representing PPAO/PP-PAC at coalition meetings as assigned.
• Planning for short and long legislative sessions both long and short term.
• Research on best practices for lobbying, legislative advocacy, agency rulemaking analysis and advocacy, healthcare policy awareness and analysis, related public policy research and other programs as needed.
• Build and maintain relationships with key elected leaders.
• Build outreach plans and relationships with businesses, nonprofit and organizational partners to increase support for Planned Parenthood across Oregon.
• Leadership on PPAO’s participation with Planned Parenthood Federation of America/Planned Parenthood Action Fund on assigned national issues as needed to support the Executive Director and maintain compliance with PPFA requirements.
• Assistance to the Executive Director and board in securing funds for the organization’s work through direct solicitation, direct mail, social media and small events focused on fundraising and building membership for the PP PAC of Oregon.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

The successful Political Director will excel in lobbying; communicating on a variety of reproductive healthcare, elections and revenue issues; building relationships; managing projects; understanding public policy; navigating the Oregon legislative process; and being self-motivated to achieve tangible results. Skills needed for success include:

• Understanding of political strategy and political landscape on local, state and federal levels.
• Demonstrated experience with candidate and issue campaigns.
• Ability to create work plans to support legislative and policy goals in ways that build the organization’s effectiveness and influence over time.
• Understanding of grassroots organizing and how to increase political influence with strategic mobilization of issue supporters.
• Ability to use tools such as online policy resources, online statistical research, policy research and analysis, techniques of online advocacy, polling and research.
• Ability to self-motivate, self-direct and manage multiple projects simultaneously, as well as an enjoyment of teamwork and a sense of humor.
• Commitment to the cause of reproductive rights and justice and dedication to working with other social justice organizations and activists with an intersectional and equity-driven approach.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum 3 years experience in related field required, including lobbying, candidate and ballot measure campaigns, public policy development and grassroots organizing.
• Supervisory experience preferred.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonable duties as assigned by the supervisor or other management. Job descriptions, including minimum requirements and job responsibilities, will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a nondiscriminatory work environment. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, application for workers’ compensation benefits, use of statutory protected leave, veteran or military status, pregnancy, union activity, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Planned Parenthood is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus and innovation.

To apply, please click here.

Field Director

Overview

The Field Director is responsible for developing and implementing a strategic political field program including grassroots organizing, motivating, training, developing and mobilizing supporters in key communities across Oregon for effective execution of the Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon (PPAO) and Planned Parenthood PAC of Oregon (PP-PAC) mission. The Field Director reports to the Executive Director, and is the lead on field plans for candidate, ballot measure and grassroots lobbying plans. They work closely with the Policy Director and Political Director in coordination when volunteer lobbying and organizing activities are needed and with the Communications Director on maximizing the effect of the grassroots initiatives on positive visibility. They also manage the field team.

Responsibilities

The Field Director will be responsible for the following:

• Development of a comprehensive political field program consistent with the mission and priorities of PPAO, PP-PAC, Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF).
• Development and implementation of tactical steps to achieve the organization’s legislative and local priorities through effective mobilization of informed, effective voter volunteers.
• Supervision of Field Organizers who recruit, develop, train and deploy volunteers through fellowship programs and Leadership and Advocacy Teams (LATs) in key communities associated with PP affiliate health center operations.
• Guidance and support for the field team in implementing the organization’s targeted campaign plans.
• Management of data, metrics and reporting for the field team and of affiliate data in liaison with the PPFA National Data Team.
• Establishment and maintenance of collaborative relationships with other organizations in progressive coalitions, and representation of PPAO/PP-PAC at coalition meetings as assigned.
• Establishment and monitoring of appropriate metrics to assure effective completion of the field program and to maximize likelihood of winning campaigns.
• Research on best practices for volunteer leadership development and electoral success leading to design of systems for voter identification and tracking and leadership development.
• Development and utilization of sustainable programs to elect endorsed candidates and measures, leadership development, volunteer training events, citizen lobbying activities, health center advocacy, storytelling and other programs as needed.
• Support for the Executive Director and Political Director with voter volunteer lobbying activities in keeping with organizational mission and program goals, including creating and maintaining relationships with key elected leaders.
• Leadership on PPAO’s work with PPFA/PPAF on assigned national issues as needed to support the Executive Director and maintain compliance with PPFA requirements.
• Creation of plans to engage all PPAO staff, board and affiliates in field activities during campaigns.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

The successful Field Director will excel in writing campaign plans, building relationships, working on candidate and ballot measure campaigns, developing and evaluating programs, motivating paid staff and volunteer leaders, assessing performance, guiding professional development for self and field organizers, managing projects and being self-motivated to tangible results. Skills needed for success include:

• Understanding of grassroots organizing strategies, tactics, methodologies and tools.
• Demonstrated experience with candidate and issue campaigns.
• Ability to create work plans to support field staff in ways that build the organization’s effectiveness and influence over time.
• Understanding of grassroots organizing and how to increase political influence with strategic mobilization of issue supporters.
• Ability to use tools such as online advocacy, polling and research results, microtargeting and phonebanking technology, Voter Activation Network and others.
• Ability to self-motivate, self-direct and manage multiple projects simultaneously, as well as an enjoyment of teamwork.
• Commitment to the cause of reproductive rights and justice and dedication to working with other social justice organizations and activists with an intersectional and equity-driven approach.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three (3) years experience in related field required, including volunteer recruitment, field operations, union organizing, community organizing, voter registration, campaign data analysis and/or lobbying.
• One (1) year supervisory experience required, which may include supervision of paid staff or volunteers.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonable duties as assigned by the supervisor or other management. Job descriptions, including minimum requirements and job responsibilities, will be reviewed and updated on a regular basis.

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a nondiscriminatory work environment. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, application for workers’ compensation benefits, use of statutory protected leave, veteran or military status, pregnancy, union activity, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Planned Parenthood is committed to creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion, respect and integrity, customer focus and innovation.

To apply, please click here.