Job
Opportunity:
Students
for
Sensible
Drug
Policy
7/8/05
Students for Sensible Drug Policy is seeking applications for the position of Legislative Director. The responsibility of the Legislative Director is to increase SSDP's influence on Capitol Hill to promote drug laws and policies that reduce the harms associated with drug use. In addition, the Legislative Director advocates for reform of drug laws and policies that have a negative impact on youth. To that end, the Legislative Director will: determine drug laws and policies that the organization should track and possibly target with local and/or national resources; work with the Executive Director to determine which drug laws and policies to target and to determine legislative strategies and tactics; lobby legislators and legislators' staff on drug laws and policies, paying particular attention to legislators in districts and states or legislators on committees important to the organization's campaigns and actions; develop materials and literature to distribute to legislators; develop relationships and resources to assist influential organizations and individuals, especially those in target districts and states, lobby their legislators; and develop relationships and resources to assist the organization's chapters and activists, especially those chapters and activists in target districts and states, lobby their legislators. A qualified applicant must have the ability to communicate orally with comfort and conviction, plus flawless writing that is succinct and persuasive. Attention to detail is essential. Experience working with or in Congress is necessary, as is a professional demeanor. The ability to be assertive is a must, as is comfort working with people of all ages. A qualified candidate will be a self-starter who's creative in developing legislative strategies and tactics. A demonstrated dedication to reform of drug laws and policies is valuable, but not necessary. The Legislative Director reports to the Executive Director and works closely with the Outreach Director and Communications Director. SSDP is a national network of students committed to an open, honest, and inclusive dialogue on alternatives to our country's current approach to drug use, abuse, and addiction. Through youth involvement in the political process, SSDP works to reform drug laws and policies that have a negative impact on youth. Specific SSDP campaigns have included efforts to repeal the federal financial aid ban on students with drug convictions and to restrict federal funding for student drug testing. Visit http://www.ssdp.org for information on SSDP's mission and campaigns. Salary is $30,000+, commensurate with experience. Benefits include health care. Applications are due by July 30, 2005. Interested applicants should e-mail a one-page cover letter and one-to-two page resume to Scarlett Swerdlow at [email protected]. In your cover letter, please indicate (1) how you learned about SSDP's job opening, (2) why you are interested in working with SSDP in particular, and (3) whether you have any experience in drug policy in particular. Feel free to include any additional information you deep relevant, not to exceed one page. Please do not call the SSDP office at this time. If you submit a cover letter and resume, SSDP will respond to you within seven working days with either a notice of rejection of a request for additional documentation. Students for Sensible Drug Policy is an equal opportunity employer. The SSDP office is located in Washington, DC near Dupont Circle (on the Red Line). SSDP has a fun, yet professional work environment.
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