Urban Unrest

14 December 2007 | Opportunities | Ernesto Aguilar

The Progressive States Network seeks a highly motivated individual to work in a team approach as a policy advocate working on broadband policy, media reform and technology-based economic development. The Progressive States Network is a state-based organization, the mission of which is to pass progressive legislation in all 50 of America’s state legislatures, while challenging rightwing forces in each of those states.

Job Description

Progressive States is looking for an individual to help coordinate our technology-based policies with state legislators and allied advocacy groups across the country. High-speed Internet access has become increasingly critical for long-term economic development of communities and erasing inequality due to the digital divide, so state elected leaders and community advocates are looking for help in developing the policies needed to make that a reality. The goal of this position is to help take on corporate lobbyists in statehouses across the country and help spread policies that democratize access to the tools of democracy and economic empowerment. The areas of policies covered by this position include:

Universal and Affordable Broadband: Encourage universal broadband access through a range of policies, including protecting community services, mapping broadband access, promoting broadband investments, and promoting buildout regulations.

Leveraging Broadband for Energy, Health Care and Education Savings: Promote ways to link programs promoting energy-efficient “smart buildings”, e-medicine, and distance learning into broadband buildout coalitions.

Local Technology Investments: Support use of state-based venture capital funds, public pension funds, and other state-controlled financial capital to spur both high-tech spinoffs from universities and research labs while encouraging greater job development in “emerging domestic markets” in inner-city urban or depressed rural areas most at risk under global competition.

Promoting Media Justice: Use education and job training programs to connect low-income communities to technology jobs, fund community technology centers to provide marginalized communities with the media technology to learn the skills to more fully in our democracy, and support alternative media where those voices can be heard.

Since Progressive States is dedicated to breaking down single issue politics in favor of a shared multi-issue agenda, any candidate for these positions should be prepared to promote these issues in the context of helping to promote other issues of concerns to our allies in the labor, civil rights, environmental and other grassroots communities.

PSN State Campaign Support: A core part of the PSN staffer’s responsibility would be to support campaigns on these issues in each state, working with local allies and legislative allies we have developed from other campaigns to find sponsors and help move the bills in more states. This help will range from drafting legislation and amendments during the sessions, writing op-eds, developing fact sheets and other resource sheets, promoting grassroots public education in support of these voting reform initiatives, and helping legislators educate their fellow lawmakers on the need for the bills.

Strategic Coordination with Other Issue Campaigns: Where PSN brings special expertise is using our involvement in a range of other national and local issue campaigns to add strategic advice on moving these policies in the context of other key reforms, from labor based goals of creating new jobs to using technology to lower health care costs and free up funds for universal health care.

Build National Voting Reform Legislative Network: A key role for the PSN voting reform advocate would be to build a national network of state legislators that can work consistently to build a pro-growth and pro-justice approach to technology and economic development. By encouraging more legislator-to-legislator communication across state lines, we help legislators to see a policy proposal not as some radical new innovation but as a tested policy which has strengthened the political position of their peer legislators in other states. Strengthening legislator-to-legislator coordination also encourages legislators to think more seriously about the national impact of their actions and their role as leaders in the progressive movement, instead of just narrowly concentrating on their role as legislators in their own state.

Qualifications

Any candidate must be self-motivated and an innovative thinker and organizer with a dedication to public interest issues. Excellent verbal and writing skills are an essential requirement. Background in technology or economic development advocacy is strongly desired. Relevant experience includes (but is not limited to) working in political, policy, legal, journalistic, or government settings. Advanced degrees, including a JD or masters in related fields, may count toward a candidate’s professional experience. But most of all, we are looking for smart, creative thinkers and doers who can help build and strengthen the progressive movement in this country.

Progressive States is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage and value a diverse workforce, and we seek diversity among applicants for this position. Women and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply.

Salary & Benefits

Salary and benefits for this position is commensurate with the amount of relevant professional experience that a candidate has. Opportunities for advancement, travel, and additional training are available.

Background

The Progressive States Network works with legislators and community organizations across the country to advance legislation at the state level that protects individual freedoms, promotes sustainable economic growth, and strengthens America’s working families. Backed by labor unions, community leaders, environmental groups, grassroots organizations such as MoveOn.org, and other individual supporters, Progressive States blends analysis and action and is working to establish a cohesive network and support system for progressive legislators in all 50 states, while building a concerted movement dedicated to grassroots social and political change across the nation.

How to Apply

Email a compelling cover letter, resume and writing sample identifying which policy position you are applying for and which shows your ability to write about policy issues in a manner accessible to the public to:

Nathan Newman, Policy Director
Progressive States Network
jobs@progressivestates.org

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