Associate Director, Government Relations (Migration and Refugee Services, Communications)  (Full Time)
Department-Office-Secretariat: Government Relations
Date Posted: November 06, 2024

Under the supervision of the General Secretariat, the Government Relations staff of the Office of Government Relations (OGR) represents the USCCB to the U.S. Congress on public policy issues of concern to the Bishops. OGR Associate Directors are charged with the unique responsibility of managing the federal advocacy of the public policy agenda of the Bishops' Conference on behalf of the General Secretary under the direction and supervision of the Executive Director of Government Relations. The Associate Directors contribute to the Bishops’ strategic plan for the Conference and demonstrate willingness and ability to understand, respect and contribute to the USCCB mission and to fulfill job duties in accordance with its Catholic identity. This Associate Director will be responsible for the USCCB’s advocacy in the areas of Migration and Refugee Services; and Communications/Telecommunications/Artificial Intelligence issues. 

Continuing Responsibilities: (List from highest to lowest priority.)

A specific set of issues is assigned to each Associate Director who, in turn, works in collaboration with particular USCCB departments as follows:

•The Associate Director is responsible for implementing the legislative agenda of the policy offices to whom he or she is assigned and to manage and coordinate the related activities of the policy staff.

•He or she is expected to know and understand federal legislative process, and Congressional organization, procedures, and rules in order to facilitate USCCB’s federal legislative priorities.

A.Coordinate and direct the legislative activities of the staff of the USCCB committees which deal with public policy issues.

•To plan and implement advocacy activities advancing the USCCB’s legislative priorities in each new Congress.

•To recommend positions to be taken on specific legislation.

•To develop and implement strategies with Congress and the Executive Branch to influence the passage, defeat, or amendment of legislation of interest to the USCCB.

•In collaboration with the Office of General Counsel, to develop original legislation or amendments to proposed legislation.

•To review, approve and, when necessary, recommend revisions to written testimony, letters to Congress, Action Alerts, and statements.

•To approve and supervise any contacts with Congress requested by USCCB policy office staff.

B.  Monitor and track legislation and Congressional developments related to a range of issues of interest to the USCCB.

C.   Support policy staff in analyzing issues of interest to the USCCB under consideration in Congress.

D. Develop good working relationships with members of Congress and their staff.

•Meet and work with legislators and aides to support and advance the Church's legislative agenda

•Provide support to Members of Congress and their staff who are pursuing legislation of interest to the USCCB

E.  Provide advice to the General Secretary, to USCCB offices and committees, and other Church agencies with respect to the development of advocacy positions on public policy issues as well as legislative programs to influence these policies.

F.  In consultation with policy staff and the Office of General Counsel, prepare and deliver all appropriate documentation in support of the USCCB’s positions on issues before Congress.

G. Organize and direct the advocacy efforts of USCCB with other Catholic organizations as well as broader coalitions by soliciting support within the larger religious and secular communities to advance the USCCB’s legislative objectives in Congress.

H.  Inform the Bishops, USCCB staff, State Catholic Conference Directors and appropriate Diocesan leaders of legislative developments.

I.  Contribute to the production and dissemination of the weekly Government Relations Advocacy Update Newsletter.

Level: Bachelor's Degree, Graduate Degree desired.

Major Field/Specialty:  Law, Political Science, Public Policy or Administration, History, Sociology, Education

Number of Years Required:  Seven years of related experience

The starting salary for this position is $98,313

The upper level for this position is $125,219

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