****Washington State Nurses Association

Position Title: Political Action Specialist

Reports to: Director of Government Affairs

Bargaining Unit: Full-time, *non-exempt, bargaining unit position

About WSNA: Washington State Nurses Association is the leading voice and advocate for nurses in Washington. As a professional association and union, we represent more than 17,000 collective bargaining members and the professional interests of more than 103,000 registered nurses. For more than 100 years, WSNA has championed issues that support nurses, advance professional standards, and improve the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations in Washington state.

Position Summary:

The Political Advocacy Specialist is a key member of WSNA's government relations team. They are responsible for effectively advancing WSNA's strategic political plan through grassroots advocacy, coalition participation, member engagement, strategic political communications, and serving as lead staff for the WSNA Political Action Committee (WSNAPAC).

Duties and Responsibilities Common to All Positions:

• Supports WSNA's Purpose, Mission, Vision, and Goals
• Works with others, role modeling collaboration, communication, and teamwork
• Strives for excellence in work performance
• Remains current in the field of expertise
• Performs other duties as assigned to meet association needs, including participation in staff teams and committees
• Acquires and maintains knowledge of Microsoft Office

Duties and Responsibilities of the Political Advocacy Specialist:

Government Relations

1. Serves as a member of WSNA's government relations team.

2. Effectively communicates WSNA's position on political issues to WSNA members, coalitions, partners, legislators, and other stakeholders.

3. Work with the Director of Government Affairs to develop and execute grassroots strategic plans for engaging members in the political process and the WSNA PAC.

4. Prepares fact sheets, updates and other materials to support growth and investment by WSNA members to WSNA PAC.

5. Provides staff support to the WSNA PAC Board and the elections endorsement process. Participates in advocacy coalitions as directed, effectively representing WSNA's priorities and positions, and develops opportunities for collaboration with other organizations.

6. Monitors political developments and activities and finds opportunities for WSNA and WSNA PAC engagement.

Member Engagement

1. Works with the Director of Government Affairs on strategic and creative planning for annual events including, but not limited to, WSNA Lobby Day.

2. Works with other departments and staff members to develop and implement strategies and tactics to engage members in the political process, legislative advocacy, and grassroots lobbying.

3. Works with other departments to identify and develop nurses who may want to run for office and have an interest in public policy. Work with Director of Government Affairs to engage those nurses into candidate training programs.

4. Leverages internal relationships within WSNA to facilitate broad implementation of grassroots activation and member mobilization to strategically advance WSNA's election and legislative work.

5. Works with the Director of Government Affairs to develop plans to work with other departments to recruit members to attend hearings, rallies, legislative meetings, and other events as needed.

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****Strategic Political Communications**

1. Participates in multi-media development of election action alerts and communications to members using WSNA's advocacy platform.

2. Assists in drafting online elections guide for members listing WSNA PAC endorsements, highlighting candidates and incumbents in key races.

3. Works with labor and communications departments to identify nurse stories that illustrate the impact of legislative and rulemaking proposals, and to identify nurse leaders who can testify in Olympia and/or participate in meetings with legislators.

Political Presentation & Support for WSNA PAC Board

1. Leads the WSNA PAC Board, including facilitating email communications and meeting notes.

2. Represents the WSNA PAC on the Washington State Labor Council's Political Committee, effectively advocating for WSNA PAC's endorsement positions.

3. Works with the Director of Government Affairs and WSNA PAC Board leadership to develop a fundraising and engagement plan for WSNA PAC.

4. Works with the Director of Government Affairs and contract lobbyists to develop candidate questionnaires.

5. Coordinates and develops all communication with candidates and campaigns, including the scheduling of WSNA PAC Board candidate interviews.

6. Supports the Director of Government Affairs in advising the WSNA PAC Board on current political circumstances and key races. Reports to WSNA PAC Board about Washington State Labor Council Political Committee activities, including endorsed candidates and initiatives.

7. Coordinates WSNA participation in the Washington State Labor Council's COPE convention and COPE meeting during the WSLC Convention as needed, including preparing staff and member participants with a guide to WSNA PAC endorsements and any association positions on initiatives.

Preferred Experience:

• Five years experience in public affairs, public policy, legislative advocacy, strategic political communications, political fundraising, political campaigns or organizing, or related field.
• Experience in political or union organizing or other member engagement.
• Experience working with elected officials and constituents with diverse ideological perspectives.
• Demonstrated success running political and/or issue campaigns.

Essential Skills/Competencies:

• In-depth knowledge of Washington state elections processes and congressional/legislative districts.
• Demonstrated proficiency in writing and speaking to multiple and diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to and engage others.
• Demonstrated communication skills, including the ability to clearly and accurately correspond with elected officials and candidates.
• Proven ability to synthesize large amounts of information quickly and succinctly.
• Ability to work under the pressure of intense deadlines and to adapt quickly to changing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple priorities, organize workload, and take initiative.
• Proficiency in use of presentation graphic applications.

Physical requirements

This job requires:

• Travel throughout the state to meet with members.
• Travel to Olympia during the legislative session as needed.
• A valid driver's license in the state of residence and access to an operational motor vehicle that is currently insured.

***The Political Action Specialist is included in the Program Specialist job classification and is subject to the WSNA - Teamsters Local Unit #117 contract provisions. ** **This salary ranges from $102,886 - $123,099 annually.
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WSNA provides a generous benefits package that includes employer-paid individual health, dental, vision, and life insurance, fifteen paid holidays, twelve personal days per year, twenty-two vacation days per year, one day of sick leave per month, and a defined benefit pension plan.

The Washington State Nurses Association is the leading voice and advocate for nurses in Washington. As a professional association and union, we represent more than 20,000 nurses, and we advocate for the interests of all Washington registered nurses. For more than 100 years, WSNA has championed issues that support nurses, advance professional standards, and improve health and health equity for Washingtonians.
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PLEASE NOTE: We will be accepting resumes for this position until Monday, April 1st. **** **
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