MAPE
Minnesota Association of Professional Employees

Political Affairs Coordinator

Based in Shoreview, MN

 

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees (MAPE) is a labor union representing more than 17,500 professionals employed by various agencies across the State of Minnesota and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. MAPE is accepting applications from experienced professionals for a Political Affairs Coordinator to help build a powerful organization that workers want to belong to; that can take bold, collective action; and be grounded in democratic, member-driven principles.

To Apply:
To be considered, qualified candidates must submit a résumé and cover letter detailing experience in each of the key areas outlined in this position description, and three references, no later than November 11, 2024, to: dbruce@mape.org.

Devin Bruce
3460 Lexington Ave. N
Shoreview, MN 55126

The Minnesota Association of Professional Employees is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strongly encourage people from under-represented groups to apply for this position.

The starting salary for this position is based on the 14L range of the MAPE contract, or $66,649 – $98,240, plus a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental and life insurance; holidays, sick and vacation leave; and contributions to the Minnesota State Retirement System.

This position is represented by OPEIU Local 12.

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Classification title: Political Affairs Coordinator
Salary range: 14L – 19L
Job type: Full-time
Reports to: Director of Legislative and Political Affairs
Travel: Some travel required
Date of revision: September 5, 2023

POSITION PURPOSE: The Political Affairs Coordinator is responsible for coordinating legislative and political solutions at the Minnesota Association of Professional Employees. Taking direction from the Director of Legislative and Political Affairs, the Political Affairs Coordinator is accountable for the following duties and responsibilities: (i) legislative advocacy, (ii) political organizing, (iii) communications support, and (iv) other related tasks as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
I. Legislative Advocacy: The Political Affairs Coordinator is responsible for providing legislative support to the Director of Legislative and Political Affairs. Specific duties include:

• Tracking legislative developments and formulating strategy.
• Lobbying legislators on MAPE issues and initiatives.
• Providing regular legislative reports and recommendations.
• Serving as a MAPE representative to assigned coalitions.
• Working with field staff for recruiting and promoting member participation in legislative affairs.
• Providing member-to-legislator outreach for assistance in carrying out MAPE’s political and legislative agendas.
• Testifying before legislative committees when necessary.
• Working with Communications department to develop member stories for legislative advocacy.
• Working with staff and political council to coordinate in-district legislative meetings and actions.

II. Political Organizing: The Political Affairs Coordinator is charged with coordinating MAPE’s political action program. Specific duties include:

• Coordinating the electoral and political work of members, volunteers, and staff.
• Directing and carrying out MAPE’s political plans and initiatives, including but not limited to, organizing candidate screenings and endorsements, recruiting MAPE members to take part in election activities, and supporting endorsed candidates by participating in direct voter contact events.
• Providing political education and training for members and staff.
• Working as liaison between the political, field, and communications staff to facilitate MAPE’s political activities.
• Tracking political developments and formulating strategy.
• Promoting member involvement in political affairs.
• Tracking member and staff political involvement using the VAN and UnionWare.
• Preparing reports and tracking political expenditures as necessary.
• Representing MAPE at coordinated partner tables.

III. Communications Support: The Political Affairs Coordinator is expected to provide strategic communications support. Specific duties include:

• Assisting the Public Relations Coordinator with media relations requests impacting or related to MAPE’s political or legislative initiatives.
• Providing the Communications Coordinator with social media content related to political or legislative activities or priorities important to MAPE members.
• Assisting the Communications Coordinator on internal communication and research.
• Using member data for the purposes of targeted communication.
• Participating in the development of a communications strategy for legislative and political initiatives.
• Provide updates and share story ideas with communications team for inclusions in MAPE newsletter.

VI. Other Related Tasks: The Political Affairs Coordinator is expected to carry out numerous related tasks. Specific duties include:

• Collaborating with staff to carry out initiatives outlined in the MAPE strategic plan.
• Acting as an advisor and coordinator for the Political Council and MAPE PAC.
• Collaborating with staff on various projects.
• Coordinating and scheduling appointments for MAPE Lobby Day.
• Working on special projects as assigned.

PERFORMANCE REVIEW: The performance of the Political Affairs Coordinator will be reviewed annually by the Director of Legislative and Political Affairs. The purpose of the performance review will be twofold: (i) to agree to a set of concrete goals and (ii) to assess the extent to which goals from the previous performance review have been achieved. Performance targets should be based on the responsibilities and duties articulated in this position description.

PERSON SPECIFICATION: The ideal candidate for the post of Political Affairs Coordinator must:

• Possess a bachelor's degree in any field and 3+ years of relevant work experience in legislative advocacy.
• Have documented successes in the areas of legislative advocacy and political action.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of Minnesota’s legislative process, unions and the public sector, and political campaigns.
• Demonstrate superior problem-solving skills and professionalism
• Demonstrate ability to work independently and in a team.
• Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrate ability to prioritize in a multi-tasking environment.

The goals and work activities listed in this position description are intended to describe the essential functions of the person or persons assigned to this job. They are not intended as an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.