Legislative Counsel

Job Description

OVERVIEW

Across our organization, we're building a workplace where collaboration is essential, diverse voices are heard, and inclusion is the key to our success.

Policy & Representation is responsible for public policy and regulatory initiatives development, advocacy strategy and messaging, and station and community engagement plans for public radio stations, the public radio system, and NPR. Our staff advocates for legislative and regulatory initiatives that will enhance and improve public radio's service to the American public and, develops strategies and efforts to organize and mobilize public support.

This role, Legislative Counsel, reports to NPR's Vice President of Government Affairs.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Legislative Analysis and Advocacy
• Play a leading role in identifying public radio needs and opportunities in the legislative process and developing strategies to advocate for public radio-related legislation, including music copyright and licensing legislation, local news initiatives, and federal spectrum legislation;
• Review legislation and, if needed, develop modifications that can best serve the interests of public radio and public broadcasting;
• Establish and develop strong relationships with key congressional stakeholders, including the House and Senate Commerce and Judiciary Committees, to advance public radio legislative interests;
• Monitor policy developments in key congressional oversight committees to identify opportunities to engage on behalf of public radio, and support the establishment of diverse, bipartisan stakeholders;
• Collaborate with advocacy partners on public broadcasting legislative priorities.

Regulatory Analysis and Advocacy
• Lead NPR's advocacy with federal regulatory bodies, including the Federal Communications Commission;
• Monitor regulatory developments to identify opportunities to engage on behalf of public radio;
• Collaborate with NPR regulatory partners in the Office of General Counsel, NPR Distribution, and public radio stations to evaluate the impact of FCC proceedings on public radio and develop positions to advocate for public radio interests;
• Draft and edit, in partnership with the Office of General Counsel, NPR comments for FCC proceedings;
• When appropriate, identify opportunities to work with partners such as public TV or media trade associations to participate jointly in proceedings;
• Develop relationships with key regulatory stakeholders to educate and advocate for public radio;

Additional Responsibilities
• Contribute to communications with NPR Member stations on legislative or regulatory developments, and build relationships with stations to support legislative and regulatory priorities.
• Represent the Policy & Representation team at external engagements, including congressional meetings, relevant conferences, and public events; as needed, prepare materials for such events.
• Support Lobbying Disclosure Act compliance activities.
• Other duties, as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: JD

REQUIRED SKILLS
• 5+ years in legal, government relations, or congressional positions
• Excellent verbal communication skills with experience in briefing complex technical or legal matters for internal and external stakeholders
• Strong writing and editing skills with prior experience in legal analysis, drafting legislation, or regulatory filings
• Knowledge of communications law and policy, legislative and regulatory process, including the legal framework/laws and governing bodies pertaining to public broadcasting
• Ability to expertly research and review statutes, legal opinions, policies, regulations, guidance, case law, or historical practice involving complex issues of law or policy; and prepare briefs, talking points, or filings in administrative proceeding
• Demonstrates project management skills to ensure all tasks are executed efficiently and requiring minimal supervision
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Collaborative working style that promotes sharing of information and institutional knowledge, experience working in small teams, and the ability to complete high-quality independent work
• Proficient in the knowledge of the ethical obligations of attorneys, and an active member in good standing in the Bar of a state, territory of the United States, or the District of Columbia
• Excellent verbal and presentation skills
• Proficient with Word, Excel, PowerPoint

PREFERRED SKILLS
• Knowledge of public radio, local public stations, and the public broadcasting system, and affinity for public radio's mission and service
• Knowledge of Lobbying Disclosure Act requirements and ethics pertaining to gift rules

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gpxmme-3-138-138-144-42 in your application.