Program Assistant, Public Policy and Advocacy                                                      [PT Temporary]

 

The American Library Association (ALA) is the oldest and largest library association in the world. Founded in 1876, our mission is to share our vision of the importance of libraries, literacy and free access to information. ALA offers professional services and publications to members and nonmembers, including online news stories from American Libraries and analysis of crucial issues from our Washington Office. Our main office is in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast, right off Michigan Ave, with satellite offices in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC.

 

The Public Policy and Advocacy office (PPA) was established in 1945 to represent libraries on Capitol Hill. Read more about our nearly 75 years of history here.

ALA’s advocacy and public policy staff work to secure information technology policies that support and encourage efforts of libraries to ensure access to electronic information resources as a means of upholding the public’s right to a free and open information society. Staff work to ensure a library voice in information policy debates and to promote full and equitable intellectual participation by the public by:

• Conducting research and analysis aimed at understanding the implications of information technology and information policy for libraries and library users,
• Facilitating robust discussion within the ALA community about the implications of information policy, law, and regulation for libraries and library users,
• Advancing ALA’s information policy interests in non-legislative government policy forums, and
• Engaging in strategic forecasting to anticipate technological change, particularly as it presents policy challenges to libraries and library users.

The Public Policy and Advocacy team is charged with following and influencing legislation, policy, and regulatory issues of importance to the library field and its public and works to ensure that libraries are consistently involved in the legislative and policy decision-making processes by:

• Informing government of the needs and concerns of the library community;
• Providing library supporters with up-to-date information on government actions or proposals;
• Building coalitions with Washington-based representatives of other groups with similar concerns; and
• Developing grassroots networks to lobby legislators and further library interests.

 

The Public Policy and Advocacy Office have staff in both our Chicago headquarters and Washington Office.

 

Reporting to the Assistant Director for State Advocacy, the Program Assistant will support advocacy research and communications efforts to advance library funding and policy priorities. The ideal candidate will have strong research, editing and persuasive writing skills, curiosity, and a passion for the vital roles of libraries in society.  Great role for a current grad student or recent undergrad.

Key responsibilities include:

 

• Completing research activities, ranging from environmental scans in topical (e.g., broadband) and geographical (e.g., specific states or regions) areas to searching and synthesizing government information to compiling traditional and social media targets for campaigns.
• Drafting and refining various communications outputs, including social media, member action alerts, issue talking points, and one- and two-page issue summaries for library and non-library audiences.
• Communicating with member advocates and other ALA staff in Chicago and Washington, D.C.
• Project management and tracking of advocacy activities
• Some administrative duties, including coordinating webinar and conference speakers and logistics, archiving, and customer service.

 

This is a temporary part-time position (TPT) with up to 20 hours a week for a projected duration of 10 months in our Chicago office.  Salary negotiable from $18.00 an hour.

 

For full consideration; send current resume and cover letter to mpullen@ala.org.

 

The American Library Association is an equal opportunity employer: Disability/Veteran.

 

 

Requirements: demonstrated writing and research skills, attention to detail, well-developed computer skills (Microsoft office suite, in particular), and ability to work independently, multitask and manage competing priorities. Knowledge of libraries helpful.

 

Preferred areas of study include:  Journalism/Communication, Political Science, Public Policy and Nonprofit Management.

 

 

 

Please see our website at: http://www.ala.org/aboutala/contactus/workatala for open and available regular positions.