• Philadelphia, PA
• Posted 1 month ago
• Applications have closed

Introduction

Councilmember Jamie R. Gauthier has represented Philadelphia’s 3rd Councilmanic District since January 6, 2020. Since then, Councilmember Gauthier and her team have worked hard to build a 3rd District Council office that prioritizes direct engagement with residents, transparency, accountability, responsiveness, shared decision-making with our constituents, the centering of the most vulnerable among us, passion for our work, and fun. Internally, we have strived to foster an environment of empowerment, where each team member provides ideas and input, enabling us to make decisions with our constituents’ best interests in mind. We now invite interested individuals to apply for the integral role of our team’s Director of Legislation and Policy.

Job summary

The Director of Legislation and Policy will help Councilmember Gauthier achieve her vision by working with team members, community members, City Council, the City, and other stakeholders to develop, enact and implement policies to improve the lives of residents of the Third District. Additionally, the Director of Legislation and Policy will monitor, analyze and evaluate legislation proposed by other Councilmembers, staff Councilmember Gauthier for Committee Hearings and Stated Meetings of City Council and clerk chaired by the Councilmember. The Legislative Director reports to the Chief of Staff.

Areas of Focus

Our team is currently working on implementing the Reparation Task Force, developing legislation to address source of income discrimination and to protect existing and create new affordable housing. Other areas of focus include quality of life issues, juvenile justice, environmental justice, life sciences workforce, real estate taxes and public safety.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervisory responsibilities are currently limited to interns and part-time staff, with a medium-term vision of adding a legislative aide.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Developing legislative and policy solutions for assigned issue areas;
• Drafting, introducing and passing legislation in City Council;
• Advocating for other branches of local government to change policy and take action;
• Clerking hearings before the Committee on Housing, Neighborhood Development and the Homeless, and other committees chaired by the Councilmember;
• Executing hearings on legislation introduced by the Councilmember;
• Gathering support from other Councilmembers, as well as key stakeholders and constituencies inside and outside of local government, for the passage of legislation;
• Tracking legislation and other policy developments, attending hearings and preparing the Councilmember for Stated Meetings and committee hearings;
• Partnering with the Director of Equitable Development on legislative and policy work related to creating and sustaining equitable communities;
• Building strong working relationships with legislative staff for other Councilmembers, staff across the City and key stakeholders;
• Partnering with the Director of Communications on speeches, press statements, and remarks;
• Working with the constituent services team to identify ideas for legislation and advocacy;
• Meeting with constituents and stakeholders, and responding to their inquiries;
• Executing on special projects assigned by the Councilmember or Chief of Staff;
• Maintaining a good working relationship with the Councilperson, direct supervisor, colleagues, and constituents;
• Taking part in weekday and weekend staffing rotation for the Councilperson,and maintaining flexibility for occasional unscheduled events; and
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Abilities:

• Experience practicing law, or working in government or a position that required relations with or advocacy to government is preferred;
• Experience with project management, executing events or designing and implementing long-term initiatives;
• Ability to build strong relationships with others and work well on teams;
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent analytical and research skills;
• Ability to synthesize complex information, exercise independent judgment and justify recommendations on policy positions, votes or other courses of action;
• Comprehensive understanding of the local legislative process, and familiarity with the rules of City Council, or the ability to learn the same; and
• Knowledge of Philadelphia and communities of the 3rd Councilmanic District is a plus.

Education and Experience:

A bachelor’s degree. A Law degree or other advanced degree is preferred. Two to four years of related work experience.

Salary:

$75,000-$80,000, commensurate with experience

Work-Life:

Average work week is 40 hours/ week, however all staff take part in a weekday and weekend staffing rotation for the Councilperson, and maintain flexibility for occasional unscheduled after-hours events.

Staff are expected to be in person at least 4 days a week, with availability to work in-person five days a week if needed or requested.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Long periods of sitting at office desk.
• Some lifting, bending, reaching, standing or walking.
• Occasional periods of standing and walking at events.
• Reasonable accommodations can be grated in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

To Apply:

Please send resume, cover letter and a writing sample to mariya.khandros@phila.gov with the subject line Application for Director of Legislation and Policy by December 1, 2023. Interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis with the goal of a January 3, 2024 start date.