Job Opportunity: APLU Congressional and Governmental Affairs Professional Staff
APLU Congressional and Governmental Affairs Professional Staff
The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) — a research, policy, and advocacy organization representing 223 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and related organizations – seeks a highly skilled professional staff member who will play a key role in its Congressional and Governmental Affairs department.
Duties and responsibilities of the position include working closely with government relations officials at APLU’s member institutions across the country (collectively known as the Council on Governmental Affairs, or CGA) on legislative and regulatory concerns; reaching out to the CGA for assistance in securing the support of targeted Members of Congress on legislation and policy issues; assisting in APLU and CGA meeting planning and development; building and maintaining relationships with internal and external constituencies and partners; and arranging for Hill meetings including meetings between APLU’s president and Members of Congress.
The position also involves compiling and writing regular communications for the CGA to keep them informed on issues, legislative updates and events of importance. The person to fill this position will also assist the vice president and the director of Congressional and Governmental Affairs in communicating and partnering with the other departments within APLU on legislative and policy priorities. This will include some communication with APLU’s Council on Research Policy and Graduate Education, the senior research officers and graduate deans at APLU institutions.
For 2014, the association’s legislative priorities include working the budget and appropriations process to secure strong investments for federal science and research agencies and programs, including NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, NASA, NOAA, EPA and NEH; ensuring that science authorization bills promote strong federal support for basic research; passing a Higher Education Authorization bill that is positive for our students and institutions; and increasing funding for student aid programs, especially the Pell Grant program, in addition to many other issues of importance for public universities.
This position will assist on various other issues that arise requiring the attention of the Congressional and Governmental Affairs department. Additionally, at the direction of the vice president, this position will take the lead on certain issues, mostly in the science policy arena.
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will have at least three years of experience working on Capitol Hill (or in positions focused primarily on working with the Hill), be a team player as well as a self-starter, and have strong verbal and written communication skills. The successful candidate will also possess strong organizational and interpersonal skills (including a great sense of humor), be detail-oriented and able to juggle multiple responsibilities simultaneously. A bachelor’s degree is required for this position; a graduate degree is preferred.
Salary and Job Requirements
Compensation: Range starts at $45,000 and will be commensurate with experience
Location: Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU)
1307 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
To Apply
Please send a cover letter, resume and two or three short writing samples (1-2 pages each) either electronically or via US mail to:
Human Resources
APLU
1307 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005
resume@aplu.org
For more information, please visit www.aplu.org. Application review will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.