Temporary Legislative Associate

Job type: Temporary, full time employee

Duration: Four to five months, with possibility of renewal based on organizational need and funding

Work location: Washington, DC, onsite. This is not a hybrid position.

Reports to: Executive Director Schedule expectation: This is a mission driven, deadline driven role. Legislative work moves on the Council calendar, often with short notice. The workday is not structured as a fixed daily schedule. The Temporary Legislative Associate must be willing to work early mornings, evenings, and extended hours when Council activity, hearings, or submission deadlines require it.

Compensation: $85,000 annualized salary, prorated for the term Prorated total for four months: $28,333 Prorated total for five months: $35,417 Distribution of time by duty area, estimated monthly average Legislative tracking, research, and executive briefings: 25 percent Writing and materials development: 20 percent Legislative drafting and technical edits: 15 percent Council coordination, including legislative meetings: 15 percent Training coordination and testimony readiness support with moms and other messengers: 20 percent Relationship navigation, commitments tracking, and follow up: 5 percent Operational note: On hearing intensive weeks, Council coordination and testimony readiness will temporarily increase, and research and drafting will compress into shorter turnaround windows. The monthly average should remain close to this distribution. About Mother’s Outreach Network Mother’s Outreach Network (MON) is a nonprofit organization that advances and centers the inclusion and empowerment of Black mothers in Washington, DC in the struggle for family preservation and economic security. MON is a constituency driven organization dedicated to family preservation. Through organizing, community lawyering, and policy advocacy, MON transforms, from punitive to supportive, government income and child welfare systems, laws, policies, practices, and culture. MON’s pillars of work are organizing, community lawyering, and policy advocacy.

Job Description: The Temporary Legislative Associate reports directly to the Executive Director and runs the day to day operational backbone of MON’s legislative and budget advocacy during legislative season. This person tracks and interprets Council activity, maintains the campaign calendar, coordinates Council facing activity including legislative meetings, and produces the research and written materials that power the work. A central part of the role is working closely with moms in the membership, supporting training and testimony readiness so moms and other messengers are prepared, confident, and supported with dignity, clarity, and care. This role requires strong critical thinking, sound judgment, and high reliability. The right person enjoys working under time pressure, thrives with competing deadlines, and takes pride in getting the work to completion.

Key Responsibilities: Maintain a legislative and budget tracker using Council schedules and published materials and keep the team ahead of deadlines and decision points Review bill language, committee documents, and related materials and translate them into clear internal summaries and member ready explanations Conduct targeted policy and budget research and produce decision oriented briefing memos for the Executive Director that clarify what changed, what it means, risks, options, and recommended next steps Draft and polish briefing memos, fact sheets, talking points, testimony drafts, and meeting preparation materials that others can deliver as messengers Support legislative drafting and technical edits, including drafting proposed bill language or amendments, preparing comparison drafts, and tracking versions in coordination with the Executive Director and legal or coalition partners Maintain a sources and citations file so materials are defensible, easy to update, and ready for reuse Coordinate Council related activities, including hearings, roundtables, oversight moments, and legislative meetings with Council offices and committee staff, with calendars, deadlines, agendas, preparation materials, and logistics clearly managed Coordinate legislative meetings with Council offices and committee staff, including scheduling, agendas, preparation packets, attendance logistics, and post meeting debriefs and follow up tracking Prepare the Executive Director and designated messengers for Council office meetings by producing briefing memos, meeting scripts, and a clear meeting objective and ask Maintain a meetings log that captures attendees, commitments, deadlines, and next steps, and ensure follow through is completed on time Coordinate and support trainings for moms and other advocates on testimony readiness, message discipline, and connecting lived experience to policy solutions Prepare moms and other messengers for oral and written testimony, including message clarity, timing practice, anticipated questions, and logistics planning Create hearing specific preparation packets including templates, submission guidance, and run of show details

Qualifications and Requirements: Demonstrated experience in legislative, policy, advocacy, or government relations work, or equivalent experience in a fast moving policy environment Strong research, analysis, and writing skills, including the ability to translate complex policy into clear, accurate materials under deadline Legislative drafting experience, including drafting bill language, amendments, legislative comments, or technical corrections in coordination with attorneys, legislative staff, or coalition partners Reliable and dependable with consistent follow through and ownership of deadlines Cultural competency and demonstrated experience working effectively and respectfully with people from marginalized and system impacted communities Master’s degree in public policy or a related field a plus JD a plus. A combined graduate degree and JD is especially valued

Compensation and Benefits: This is a temporary full time employee position. The salary is $85,000 annualized and prorated for the term as listed above. A health, dental, and vision benefits package is provided. Health insurance is covered by 100 percent for the employee and available to dependents. All federal holidays and all holidays observed by the District of Columbia are observed, as well as the week between Christmas and New Year. Paid time off includes vacation and sick leave, consistent with MON policy and eligibility for the role. TO apply If you are interested, please email a resume, a list of three professional references, a writing sample, and a cover letter that describes why you are interested in this position and how your work history and goals relate to the position, to careers@mothersoutreachnetwork.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and the position is open until filled. Mother’s Outreach Network is an equal opportunity employer. We embrace diversity and insist on equity and inclusion in our work environment. If you have the passion for our mission and have the skill sets to help us fulfill this mission, we welcome you as you are.