CONNECTICUT EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
POSITION DESCRIPTION
I.
POSITION TITLE: POLITICAL ACTION ASSOCIATE
II.
DEPARTMENT: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
III.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE POSITION'S FUNCTION AND PURPOSE
The associate in this position uses a full range of office and technical skills to support the work of a
unit, manager, team or group of professionals to whom assigned and provides assistance in political
organizing and legislative activities. In this capacity, the associate schedules appointments; gives
information to callers; reads, routes, and/or responds to incoming mail; types and/or operates office
automation equipment to record, edit, store, and revise and produce correspondence, charts,
reports, manuals, statistical tables, forms and other materials as may be necessary; otherwise
relieves person(s) to whom assigned of clerical work and minor administrative and business details,
as normally performed in an associate position.
IV.
GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Reads, routes, and/or responds to incoming mail based on own knowledge of the program
and/or organizational activities or from information from the files or other data sources.
2. Maintains calendar, schedules appointments, plans itineraries, and makes travel arrangements
as necessary.
3. Receives and screens telephone calls for person(s) assigned, answering questions or referring
to other staff, as appropriate. Places calls when directed.
4. Establishes and maintains general information and program files, and as necessary, identifies,
summarizes and reports information from the files.
5. Organizes the flow of work and maintains necessary controls to support the work of the manager
and other personnel to whom assigned.
6. Takes notes as assigned at meetings as required.
7. Proofs, drafts and edits correspondence, reports, manuals and other documents using correct
English grammar, punctuation, spelling, and format in all areas of the work, e.g., the day-to-day
communications in the office and over the telephone.
9. Types or operates a personal computer or other office automation equipment in accordance with
operating instructions and procedures to produce manuals, financial statements, statistical
reports, forms, graphs, letters, reports, and/or other documents as directed.
10. Prepares vouchers and work orders for appropriate signatures(s); and maintains appropriate
records and documentation.
11. Makes and distributes photocopies of various materials and documents as required; maintains
various lists, records and other transactions as may be necessary to ensure the smooth running
and efficient operation of the area.
12. Works effectively in a cooperative team environment. Takes initiative to assist others when
workload permits, and exhibits ability to gain support from others when needed.
13. Performs other appropriate duties as assigned.
Revised 07-11-2013
Job Description
Government Relations Political Action Associate
Page 2
V.
SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provides necessary assistance to the Political Action Coordinator including:
1. Prepares correspondence and reports, schedules meetings and coordinates mailings for the
Political Action Coordinator as needed.
2. Prepares and maintains committee lists for CEA-PAC.
3. Assists in maintaining computerized listing of Congressional and State Representatives.
4. Assists in coordination of annual NEA PAC fundraising drive - coordinates NEA PAC
contribution receipts and forwarding contributions to NEA.
5. Coordinates the mailing and receipt of Candidate Questionnaires.
6. Prepares and submits required reports.
7. Maintains the CEA PAC checking account and assists in CEA PAC disbursements.
8. Assists the Political Action Coordinator in working with local associations in political organizing
and legislative activities.
9. Assists the Political Action Coordinator in the development and implementation of local and
regional political and legislative training.
10. Assists the Political Action Coordinator in organizing and staffing phone banks, literature
distribution and canvassing in assigned locals or regions.
VI. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIRED
Good working knowledge of CEA's goals and objectives as they relate to the assigned program area.
Thorough knowledge of office procedures, with skills in organizing and prioritizing work efforts within
the area for a manager and/or team of professionals.
Thorough knowledge of English composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation for the purposes of
composing and editing various routine documents, including correspondence and reports; and for
verbal communication with co-workers and members, visitors and others.
Highly proficient skills in using various technical equipment , e.g., personal computers, various
computer programs, for the purpose of producing statistical tables, routine correspondence, charts,
reports, and numerous other documents. Minimum typing speed of 50 w.p.m.
Proficient skills in operating various types of office equipment, e.g., calculators, photocopying
machines, transcribing/dictating equipment, and telephones.
Knowledge of the format and clerical practices and procedures involved in the work including the
terminology used for the purpose of drafting and/or typing numerous reports from rough draft.
Skills in performing arithmetical computations and knowledge of CEA's voucher process and travel
guidelines for purposes of preparing vouchers and posting financial transactions.
Revised 07-11-2013
Job Description
Government Relations Political Action Associate
Page 3
VII.
POSITION SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS REQUIRED
a. Knowledge of Connecticut’s political/legislative process. Detailed understanding of the state and
federal reporting requirements.
b. Minimum of three (3) years’ experience working in political campaigns.
c. Associate degree with a background in political science. Bachelor’s degree in political science
preferred.
VIII. RESPONSIBILITY
a.
Supervisory Controls
The manager determines the overall performance expectations, establishes the general time frame
in which the work is to be accomplished, and provides guidance in the handling of unusual situations.
The associate, having developed a thorough knowledge of the office policies, programs, and
operations initiates and carries out all of his/her assignments under very general supervision.
He/she resolves routine problems and deviations in the work in accordance with established policies,
procedures, instructions and/or previous training. Except for routine correspondence for which the
associate may have authority to sign, work is usually given general review prior to leaving the office.
b.
Guidelines
Appropriate guidelines are readily available for all phases of the work, e.g., dictionaries, standard
reference books, handbooks, manuals, past practices, and routine office procedures. The associate
uses his/her judgment to locate, select and apply the appropriate guide(s) to achieve the best
possible results. In addition, based on his/her knowledge and training, he/she makes minor revisions
and/or recommendations for improving existing guidelines.
IX. COMPLEXITY
The associate in this position performs a diversity of Associate duties, which range from the complex
to routine.
The purpose of the work is to provide secretarial/clerical support for the work efforts of person(s) to
whom assigned. The accuracy, timeliness and acceptability of the work products affect the work of
other professionals and managers, and impacts on the area's total operation.
The
manager/professional relies on the associate to gather information, and to relieve him/her of the
many administrative details necessary to insure the smooth running and efficient operation of the
area.
X.
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
a.
Personal Contacts
The associate in this position has direct contact with the managers/professionals in the immediate
office, as well as with other managers, professionals, and support personnel in other parts of the
CEA, local affiliates, and other outside organizations with which the program/area has contact.
b.
Purpose of Contacts
Contacts are primarily for giving and receiving information regarding the program to which assigned
and the work of the manager or team of professionals.
Revised 07-11-2013
Job Description
Government Relations Political Action Associate
Page 4
XI.
ENVIRONMENT
The work is performed in an office setting and some assignments outside of the office that may be
beyond normal business hours.
XII.
TITLE(S) OF PERSON(S) TO WHOM THIS POSITION REPORTS
This position reports to the Director of Government Relations.
Revised 07-11-2013