Chancellor's Office Statement

Join our team at the California State University, Office of the Chancellor, and make a difference in providing access to higher education. We are currently seeking experienced candidates for the position of Senior Legislative Advocate. The CSU Chancellor's Office is the headquarters for the nation's largest and most diverse system of higher education. The CSU Chancellor's Office offers a premium benefit package that includes outstanding vacation, health, and dental plans; a fee waiver education program; membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS); and 15 paid holidays a year.

Salary

The anticipated salary hiring range is up to $10,834 per month, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The salary range for this classification is $5,053 to $16,221 per month.

Classification

Administrator II

Position Information

The California State University, Office of the Chancellor, is seeking a Senior Legislative Advocate to have primary responsibility for subject matter expertise, analysis, political strategy and advocacy in the areas assigned. The position serves as a governmental/political advisor to the California State University; analyzes legislative matters in relation to the overall goals and objectives of the CSU; collaborates with external entities to realize specific legislative goals and participates in the development and execution of the system’s advocacy efforts. As senior advocate, this position is also responsible for mentoring and onboarding new advocacy staff and staff with less legislative advocacy experience.

The Senior Legislative Advocate is responsible for identifying and defining issues that may impact the CSU; coordinate with the Chancellor’s Office (CO) staff to develop comprehensive analysis of proposed legislation; and participate in the formulation of and execute advocacy strategies for assigned issue areas. Furthermore, the position will analyze legislative matters in relation to the overall goals and objectives of the CSU; and participate in the development and execution of the CSU’s overall legislative advocacy efforts. The Senior Legislative Advocate will also publicly represent the CSU on sensitive legislative issues with the legislature, in cooperation with the Director of State Relations (DSR).

The Senior Legislative Advocate will assist in the development of legislative proposals for the Trustees’ program; develop and maintain relationships with members and staff of the Legislature, representatives within the executive branch, state agencies and commissions, and other related advocacy organizations, and other higher education segments; represent the CSU’s position on legislation before the Legislature, state agencies and other state boards and commissions; and develop and prepare all written materials relative to assigned issue areas, including bill position correspondences, briefing documents, messaging and bill updates and special reports as assigned. The Senior Legislative Advocate is also expected to have an understanding of national issues that may impact their assigned issue areas.

This position is located in Sacramento, CA.

This position is approved for telecommuting (two days telecommuting, three days in office (in-person)) with onsite work at the main headquarters located in Sacramento, California.

Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the Director of State Relations, the Senior Legislative Advocate will:

-Serve as system advocate and spokesperson in Sacramento. Engage directly with legislative staff and members to advocate on bills consistent with the adopted Board of Trustees Legislative Principles.

-Analyze state legislation, work with CO experts to assess and understand the impact of proposed legislation, regulations and as needed budget allocations on the CSU.

-Recommend CSU bill positions to the DSR and Assistant Vice Chancellor. Annually participate in presentation of bill position recommendations to the chair and vice chair of the BOT Governmental Relations Committee.

-Manage bill caseload, including authoring bill position correspondence, providing appropriate background materials to legislative staff and members, and develop appropriate fiscal estimate statements as appropriate.

-Develop and maintain working relationships with the legislature, legislative staff and committees, executive branch representatives, CO staff, campus staff and other experts in conducting both policy and political analyses of proposed legislation, potential CSU sponsored legislative program, budget objectives, and statewide initiatives.

-Draft appropriate content in assigned issue areas to support communications work of ASR team, and assist in and support the development of policy, legislation and advocacy, in coordination with the Manager, University Relations and Advocacy (MURA).

-Assist system and campuses in efforts to educate, inform and engage alumni, students, faculty, staff, business and community leaders, parents and families, and others about the value of the CSU and the role they can play in influencing local, state and federal policymakers, voters and the public.

Qualifications

This position requires:

-Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of seven years’ progressively responsible experience in a legislative office or in a higher education governmental relations capacity. 

-Of primary importance is the ability to effectively and independently communicate both verbally and in writing as well as the ability make sound judgements/arguments in a political environment.  

-Detailed knowledge of the organization, functions, process and procedures of the California Legislature, Executive Branch, and/or state higher education.

-Knowledge about California’s educational systems including the California State University.

-Expertise and experience in policy making and/or political arenas.

-A strong working relationship with key personnel in state government, both in the Legislature and Executive branch, who are in positions of influence on issues of importance to the CSU system is essential to perform the tasks outlined above.

-Excellent writing skills.

-Effective public speaker.

-Keen sense of state’s political climate and sound political judgement.

-Position also requires proficiency in Word, Outlook, Excel, and Power Point.

Application Period

Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by March 18, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.

How To Apply

Please click "Apply Now" to complete the California State University, Chancellor's Office online employment application.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting the Senior Human Resources Manager at (562) 951-4070.

Title IX

Please view the Notice of Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender or Sex and Contact Information for Title IX Coordinator at: https://www2.calstate.edu/titleix

E-Verify

This position requires new hire employment verification to be processed through the E-Verify program administered by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (DHSUSCIS)' in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

If hired, you will be required to furnish proof that you are legally authorized to work in the United States. The CSU Chancellor’s Office is not a sponsoring agency for staff and Management positions (i.e., H1-B VISAS).

COVID19 Vaccination Policy

Per the CSU COVID-19 Vaccination Policy, it is strongly recommended that all Chancellor’s Office employees who are accessing office and campus facilities follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications.

Mandated Reporter Per CANRA

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Conflict of Interest

The duties of this position will include participation in decisions that may have a material financial benefit to the incumbent. Therefore, the selected candidate will be required to file Conflict of Interest Form 700: Statement of Economic Interest when they first occupy the position, and on an annual basis, complete ethics training within 6 months of appointment, and attend this training every other year thereafter.

CSU Out of State Employment Policy

California State University, Office of the Chancellor, as part of the CSU system, is a State of California Employer. As such, the University requires all employees upon date of hire to reside in the State of California. As of January 1, 2022, the CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits the hiring of employees to perform CSU-related work outside the state of California.

Background

The Chancellor's Office policy requires that the selected candidate successfully complete a full background check (including a criminal records check) prior to assuming this position.