The Catholic Conference of Illinois has an opening for an Associate Director.
General Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Executive Director, the Associate Director is principally responsible for serving as a lobbyist for the Catholic Conference of Illinois (CCI) on education affairs, pro-life matters and other subjects in regard to the Catholic Bishops before the Illinois General Assembly. The Associate Director also interacts with diocesan agencies and the entities of the state and federal government, with the primary focus being the Illinois General Assembly.
Specific Responsibilities
The Associate Director for Catholic Education works closely with and reports at all times to the Executive Director. Specific responsibilities include:
• Establish working and professional relationships with the members of the Illinois General Assembly at the Illinois State Capitol.
• Establish working and professional relationships with members of the Executive branch of government.
• Establish working and professional relationships with the State of Illinois Office of Management and Budget, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and other agency directors.
• Work with the Executive Director on strategy to achieve public policy goals.
• Monitor, review and analyze state legislation and regulation to recommend positions CCI might take to advance the agenda of CCI and diocesan agencies.
• Monitor the Illinois Register for proposed administrative rules relating to the agenda of CCI and diocesan agencies.
• Prepare and present testimony and statements for state legislative committees and other state agencies.
• Where appropriate, work with Executive Director and CCI staff to increase the Illinois Catholic Advocacy Network (I-CAN), a grassroots network system.
• Assist in the preparation of columns and press releases for use by diocesan newspapers and secular press.
• Have an active knowledge of legislative developments in the mainstream press and editorial pages.
• Oversee the Administrative Assistant to ensure lobbying compliance.
Basic Knowledge and Skills
• Practicing Catholic in good standing with the Church and have basic knowledge of Catholic social teachings and diocesan organization.
• Knowledge of state and federal government, particularly the Illinois General Assembly.
• A college degree related to the field of public policy, education or communications.
• The ability to work with a minimum of supervision and a high degree of independence.
• The capability to think independently, write and speak clearly, relate to people of diverse personalities, backgrounds, interests and positions.
• Ability to study, research and analyze problems and issues.
• Experience in confronting and relating to a range of subjects and public policy issues.
Working Environment
• Occasional late-night work during legislative session.
• Some travel around the state for meetings.
• Occasional travel outside of the state 1-2 times a year.
Qualified and interested applicants, please submit professional materials to info@ilcatholic.org.