We’ve worked with the Marijuana Policy Project in the past. And MPP is joining in sponsoring the Downsize DC Conference Call. They have the following position available.
Congressional Campaigns Manager
The Marijuana Policy Project is seeking a full-time coordinator to recruit candidates in targeted congressional districts to run for the U.S. House of Representatives. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and organized individual to play a key role in a groundbreaking political effort.
Applicants should have exceptional communication skills, an understanding of politics, and be able to perform exceptionally in a fast-paced environment. Applicants also should be meticulous and highly organized, with a fastidious attention to detail and a professional attitude and appearance. Experience working in politics or on campaigns is desirable but not required. Most importantly, applicants should be good project managers.
The congressional campaigns manager’s position is composed of three functions
:CANDIDATE RECRUITMENT: Recruit quality candidates to run in targeted congressional races against incumbents who have consistently opposed the Hinchey-Rohrabacher medical marijuana amendment when it has come up for a vote on the floor of the U.S. House. This search process will require contacting state and local political parties, past candidates, and other political players.
MESSAGING AND TARGETING: Coordinate with MPP’s pollster to conduct at least one public-opinion poll for the purpose of developing persuasive messages, coordinate with an outside statistician to determine which voters are most receptive to such messages, and obtain the lists of registered voters in the targeted congressional districts.
INDEPENDENT EXPENDITURES: Oversee the development of direct-mail pieces, radio ads, and other communications and tactics that will target swing voters with the persuasive messages.
Disclaimer: Federal law prohibits coordination between MPP and federal candidates and political parties. Consequently, the congressional campaigns manager will not have any contact with candidates or local, state, or national party organizations after the candidates are recruited.
MPP is a nonpartisan organization. For example, in 2004 MPP supported (1) a Republican candidate for Congress over another Republican in Arizona’s primary election, (2) supported a Democratic candidate for Congress over a Republican candidate in the general election in New Mexico, and (3) supported a slate of Democratic and Progressive candidates in 11 state House races in Vermont. In addition, the MPP Medical Marijuana PAC has provided nearly $100,000 to Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian congressional candidates since the PAC’s inception in late 2003.
The congressional campaigns manager will report to MPP’s director of government relations, who reports to MPP’s executive director. (All three positions are based in MPP’s main office in Washington, D.C.)
The position will continue through Election Day on November 7, 2006. Depending on the success of this project and available funding, the position might extend beyond Election Day into the 2007-2008 election cycle.
The salary of the congressional campaigns manager is $40,000 to $60,000, commensurate with experience. Benefits are negotiable.
To apply, please follow MPP’s application guidelines at http://www.mpp.org/jobs/process.html
Application deadline: February 19, 2006. Please note that interviews are being conducted on a rolling basis, and interested individuals are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as the position may be filled before the application deadline.
MPP is an equal opportunity employer. There are 21 staffers in MPP’s D.C. office, two staffers in California, two in Nevada, and one in Vermont. With more than 19,000 members and 100,000 e-mail subscribers
nationwide, MPP is the largest marijuana policy reform organization in the United States. We work to minimize the harm associated with marijuana — both the consumption of marijuana and the laws that are
intended to prohibit its use — and believe that the greatest harm associated with marijuana is imprisonment. For more information about the organization, please visit http://www.mpp.org. Thank you for your interest.