Legislative Advocate

CSAC is a trusted broker of information about the effects of state laws on counties and helps develop and communicate policies that directly impact the programs and services provided by California’s counties. We are seeking a thoughtful, collaborative, and relentless advocate to join our lobbying team.

CSAC’s team of Legislative Advocates are responsible for advocating on behalf of California’s 58 counties before the State Legislature, Administrative Agencies, and Congress. We’re looking for a team player who is driven to uplift communities and believes that our government institutions are critical to democracy.

There are two opportunities to join the CSAC Legislative Affairs team as a Legislative Advocate for the following distinct policy areas:

• Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources (AENR): This position will focus on policies related to agriculture and environmental issues as part of the AENR team. This includes, but is not limited to, emergency preparedness, disaster response, water, and agriculture issues. The Legislative Advocate will lobby on legislation and budget proposals, lead various internal CSAC policy committees in the development of policy, make policy recommendations, and manage contacts and relationships in their policy area.
• Health and Human Services (HHS): The Legislative Advocate in this position advocates on policy related to health and behavioral health as part of the HHS team. This includes, but is not limited to, public health, mental health and substance use disorder services, public hospitals, conservatorship, emergency medical services, and Medi-Cal issues. The Legislative Advocate will lobby on legislation and budget proposals, lead various internal CSAC policy committees in the development of policy, make policy recommendations, and manage contacts and relationships in their policy area.

Knowledge and Skills required for both Legislative Advocate positions:

• Policy expertise in one or more areas of the portfolio.
• Ability to assess complex policy issues and provide briefings and recommendations.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including ability to speak without notes and respond under questioning.
• Ability to assess and evaluate political situations and how they impact legislative and budget issues.
• Creative problem solving.
• Effective relationship and coalition building.
• Translating complicated federal and state statute into everyday language.
• Knowledge of legislative and budget issues, processes and practices; as well as the state-county relationship.
• Maturity and calm under pressure; sense of humor is a plus.
• Ability to prioritize and assign work.

Job duties:

• Understands the political environment and can make strategic decisions to influence advocacy outcomes.
• Develops and maintains relationships with county and legislative stakeholders including Supervisors, county leadership staff, county affiliates, county lobbyists, legislators, legislative staff, and Administration officials.
• Engages and educates CSAC members and county staff through managing policy committee and workgroups, providing regular written updates, leading webinars and trainings, presenting at Board and other key meetings, and planning meetings and workshops.
• Reviews and analyzes bills and budget proposals to gauge impact on counties; understands the state-county fiscal relationship; develops strategy for advocacy efforts; solicits feedback from counties and county affiliate organizations; talks to sponsors, legislative staff, and executive branch staff, and other interested/affected entities; lobbies legislators and staff, testifies at legislative and administrative hearings and writes letters in support or opposition of bills.
• Reviews materials in subject matter area and broader legislative environment (e.g. reports and news articles) to be in an expert position to recommend policy to CSAC leadership; and, monitors legislative proceedings to maintain awareness of the political environment.
• Responds to inquiries; drafts mailings and presentations given to members; prepares and attends conferences and meetings.
• Works with affiliate organizations to solicit technical feedback and input.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree and at least five years’ experience working with federal, state or local government; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter and resume to  resumes@counties.org by Tuesday, October 7, 2025.