Job Opening: Students for Sensible Drug Policy Hiring a Legislative Director

Application Deadline: December 15, 2006 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 non-punitive drug policies that reduce the harms associated with drug use, and oppose proposed drug war legislation that would have a negative impact on young people and students. The Legislative Director is also responsible for assisting college chapters of SSDP in developing strategies to reform punitive campus and local drug policies. 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 target 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 allied organizations and individuals, especially those in target districts and states, in lobbing their legislators; develop relationships and resources to assist SSDP's chapters and activists, especially those in target districts and states, lobby their legislators; and to help SSDP's chapters identify punitive drug policies on their campuses and in their communities, and to develop strategies and tactics for changing those policies. A qualified applicant must have the ability to communicate orally with comfort and conviction, plus have 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. Experience working on campaigns at the grassroots level is preferred, but not necessary. 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 Field Director and Campaigns 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 December 15, 2006. Interested applicants should e-mail a one-page cover letter and one- to two-page resume to Kris Krane 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, (3) whether you have any experience in drug policy in particular, and (4) a brief description of why you feel your past legislative experience makes you a qualified candidate for this position. Feel free to include any additional information you deem 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. -- Kris Krane Executive Director Students for Sensible Drug Policy 1623 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20009 202.293.4414 (p) 202.293.8344 (f) www.SchoolsNotPrisons.com Contribute to SSDP: http://www.ssdp.org/donate