About

The Washington Education Association is a union that elevates the collective voice of professional public school educators to best serve the students of Washington state.

Our mission is to advocate for excellence, inclusion and a racially equitable public school system for all students, staff, and communities.

Our vision is to ensure outstanding public schools for every student in Washington state.

From Walla Walla to Winthrop, Bellevue to Bellingham, Snohomish, Soap Lake, Seattle, Spokane and every county, town and city in between, we represent employees in nearly every public school district in Washington. We are the professionals to whom our community entrusts its students every day. We nurture minds and bodies so they grow to be productive contributors in our changing society.

We negotiate strong contracts that lay out our rights, our responsibilities and how to handle disputes fairly. We listen to one another to make sure we receive the pay and benefits we need to take care of ourselves and our families and to stay sane in our busy professions. We stand by one another to make sure our employment rights are honored and respected. We work together to address workplace concerns, ensure fair evaluations and keep workloads and working conditions safe and reasonable. As a union, we offer opportunities for everyone to grow so we can help our students do the same.

Job Summary

The Legislative Assistant III will provide administrative support for Washington Education Association (WEA) political coordinators, lobbyists, and WEA-PAC (Political Action Committee). The work location for this position is our Olympia office in Olympia, WA.

Benefits and Compensation:

• Salary range (LEVEL 3) - $82,324 to $113,039
• Employer-paid medical, dental, vision, and life insurance (full family coverage)
• Generous sick and paid time off (PTO)
• Long-term disability plan
• Defined Contribution plan - 401(k) (with employer contribution)
• Defined Benefit plan
• Relocation assistance
• Position covered by the WEA/WEASO Collective Bargaining Agreement

Responsibilities:

• Provide administrative support for WEA political coordinators and lobbyists, including:
• Administrative support and assistance to the Director of Governmental Relations.
• Maintain office, legislative hearing, and bill schedules.
• Research and track testimony and news coverage of key issues.
• Assist with coordination of member participation and member lobby programs, from small scale trainings to large public events.
• Provide administrative support for political coordinators and lobbyists.
• Facilitate meeting scheduling, including conference calls and video/web-based events.
• Manage basic office functions, including overseeing equipment, communicating with vendors, providing minor IT (Information Technology) support, and scheduling office and conference room space.
• Respond to requests and provide information to those who contact the office.
• Process division expenditures and member vouchers, accounting paperwork; control petty cash and order supplies for Olympia office.
• Prepare and produce memos, letters, articles and other documents using word processing software.
• Investigate, using initiative and judgment; analyze, prioritize, and organize the work in an ambiguous legislative and policy environment.
• Track member engagement in lobbying and political activities.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Provide primary administrative support for WEA-PAC, including:
• Provide data for regular and timely updates for the political action committee (PAC).
• Serve as the administrative liaison to the WEA-PAC Management Board.
• Prepare materials for WEA-PAC meetings.
• Perform research and record-keeping functions for WEA-PAC.
• Maintain candidate database; enter, track, and report a variety of candidate data into internal information systems for possible online distribution.
• Track and report publicly available campaign finance information using the state's Public Disclosure Commission website.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school graduate or GED equivalent.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including experience in dealing with volunteers or membership organizations; must support and maintain relations with outside agencies, including legislative staff.
• Demonstrated history and/or experience working with communities of color and/or with historically underrepresented groups to enhance civil rights; experience with union activism and/or political engagement on behalf of civil rights issues.
• Self-starter; demonstrated initiative regarding assignments and flexibility with changing priorities; well-organized, detail-oriented, and able to prioritize and coordinate office workloads.
• Flexible and adaptable to a fast-paced, changing environment; ability to produce quality work under pressing deadlines.
• Ability to compile and analyze information from a variety of sources to prepare accurate reports.
• Experience with various software programs to create, process, and maintain a variety of documents and administrative records containing technical information and complex formatting.
• Working knowledge and experience using large database systems, such as the Voter Activation Network (VAN).
• Experience with office support functions including word processing, filing, composing a variety of business documents, and gathering and compiling data.
• Experience preparing mailings and mail merges.
• Ability to proofread and edit documents.
• Ability to maintain consistent high standards of work and move projects forward on set timelines.
• Ability to work independently and apply detailed organizational or specialized program knowledge.
• Ability to work well in a team environment and work well with diverse groups of people.
• Working knowledge of Washington State government and politics; experience during legislative session or campaign experience.
• Ability to draft content for social media and websites.
• Ability to occasionally travel as required by the center Director.
• Must support and help advance the WEA mission, goal, core values, and priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with a political action committee or legislative body.
• Prior experience with a labor union or member-based organization.

COVID-19 Vaccination

As part of our commitment to the health and safety of our employees, members, and councils, all candidates must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination status upon hire. Exceptions may be made for medical or religious reasons in accordance with applicable laws.

Supervision

The successful incumbent will function as a member of the Governmental Relations Center and will report to the Director of Governmental Relations.

Application:

• If you are interested in applying for this position, please click on the Apply for This Job button to submit your application, cover letter, and resume.
• If you are invited to an interview, you will receive an email from SkillSurvey with instructions and a link on how-to submit your five (5) professional references.
• Closing date is November 5, 2024, at 4:00pm PT.
• If you are interested in applying for this position, please apply here.

The Washington Education Association is committed to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where the contributions of each employee are respected as part of the work

performed on behalf of 90,000+ members in public education. WEA embraces employees with varied backgrounds and life experiences, including race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical ability, and veteran status. Only those candidates who can commit to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness need apply.