Assistant Director of Immigration

SEIU (Service Employees International Union)

JOB TITLE: Assistant Director for Immigration
GRADE: MGT F
ANNUAL SALARY: $135,609.02
LOCATION: Washington, DC HQ

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW: We are the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), a union of about 2 million diverse members in healthcare, the public sector, and property services. We believe in and fight for our Vision for a Just Society: where all workers are valued and all people respected, no matter where we come from or what color we are; where all families and communities can thrive; and where we leave a better and more equitable world for generations to come. We are an anti-racist union determined to check corporate power and uproot structural racism through unions, worker power, collective action, and government, legislative, and political action. We fight for Unions for All and a Government that Works for All so that all of us, across race and place, can have power together in unions and participate fully in our democracy.

PURPOSE: The Assistant Director of Immigration is responsible for core aspects of the Union’s Immigration campaign that includes legislative & executive branch strategy, elected & key staff relationships, immigration coalition relationships and political strategy input designed to achieve SEIU goals on immigration and build power for SEIU members and working people.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES: Any one position may not include all of the specific duties and responsibilities listed. Examples provide a general summary of the work required and should not be treated as a total and complete list of expected duties to be performed by employees in the classification.

• Lobbying & relationships with members of Congress and Executive Branch officials on policy and legislation, including developing strategy and related activities.
• Works with the Deputy Director of Immigration & the Legislative Director in developing strategies for moving our affirmative pro-immigration legislation, including our North Star, a path to citizenship, and defeating anti-immigrant legislative and executive branch efforts, which includes developing materials for lobbying activities.
• Assists with building the International Union’s relations with Congressional committees, staff and Members of Congress to advance SEIU’s federal Immigration legislative priorities.
• At the direction of the Deputy Director for Immigration & the Legislative Director, assists in leading staff in the development of various legislative documents- including but not limited to legislative explainers, target lists, correspondence and reports.
• Acts as a liaison and advocates on behalf of union members on Immigration legislative issues.
• At the direction of the Deputy Director of Immigration & the Legislative Director, takes a lead role in the research, analysis of proposed pro and anti-immigrant legislation, preparation of testimonies, explainers, and other relevant materials.
• In collaboration with the Deputy Director of Immigration coordinates SEIU Immigration federal legislative strategies with the AFL-CIO and other unions, immigration coalition allies, congressional allies, national state and local coalitions, allied organizations, and other SEIU departments as appropriate.
• Assists in the development and coordination of SEIU Immigration projects as they relate to federal immigration legislative priorities and grassroots campaigns including legislative policy development, advice on polling, and media.
• Participates in SEIU’s grassroots infrastructure for immigration legislative and political campaigns, including immigration political and legislative action efforts with SEIU regional, state council and local political & legislative staff and leaders.
• Advises the Deputy Director of Immigration & Directors for Legislation and Government Relations on strategies for representation by the International at national immigration events, immigration demonstrations, immigration issue conventions, conferences and other forums on immigration legislative priority issues.
• At the direction of the Deputy Director for Immigration represents SEIU, at conferences, commissions where appropriate.
• Collaborates with team members & Deputy Director of Immigration on plans and develops immigration legislative education, training and related materials.
• Reports to the Deputy Director of Immigration and as needed works with the Director of Government Relations to advance SEIU priorities.

DIRECTION & DECISION MAKING: This position reports to the Deputy Director for Immigration and works independently.

QUALIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy or related field (Politics, History, Economics).
• Five to seven (5-7) years of experience in direct immigration lobbying of elected officials or government agencies and drafting immigration legislation; OR, eight (8) years of experience as an immigration legislative assistant for a Member of Congress, Congressional committee or regulatory agency.
• Four (4) years prior experience working in immigration issues campaigns, immigration political action and election campaigns at a senior level, immigration policy analysis, community advocacy on immigration or drafting of immigration legislation or regulations in relevant immigration issue areas.
• Thorough knowledge of the immigration congressional legislative process or immigration government agencies and drafting immigration legislation.
• Thorough knowledge of working in immigration campaigns, immigration political action and election campaigns at a senior level, immigration policy analysis, community advocacy or drafting of immigration legislation or regulations in immigration issue area.
• Thorough knowledge of the office workings of a legislative office for elected officials and immigration regulatory agencies.
• Thorough knowledge of immigration information systems for lobbying activity.
• Knowledge of unions and their issues.
• Knowledge of training and educational methods. Ability to conduct training sessions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to make formal presentations and write advocacy papers.
• Ability to use a personal computer, including carrying out on-line research services.
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Ability to conduct formal research, analyze data and make sound, logical conclusions.
• Ability to handle multiple “priority” projects and meet established timelines.
• Ability to work effectively with union leaders, elected leaders and staff in complex and sometimes political situations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is generally performed in an office setting, but may be required to work in other settings conducive to performing the work required to complete the assignment, such as field assignments. Long and extended hours and travel required.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS: SEIU offers a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that reflects our values as a labor organization and our commitment to the well-being and long-term security of our staff. Benefits include:

• A comprehensive, employer-sponsored health benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• A defined benefit pension plan
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Additional benefits consistent with a mission-driven workplace

SEIU believes that workers deserve dignity, stability, and the ability to plan for their futures, and our benefits are designed to support that belief.