ORGANIZATIONAL OVERIVEW

The California Apartment Association (CAA) is the nation’s largest statewide trade association serving the rental housing industry.  CAA’s diverse membership includes thousands of individuals who own/manage rental housing and the largest corporate owners of apartments in California.  CAA is committed to helping its members provide quality rental housing in California through a comprehensive legislative advocacy, promoting common sense solutions to our state’s housing challenges, and educating rental housing providers to help them understand, navigate, and comply with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

THE POSITION

The Vice President, Local Government Affairs guides CAA’s is responsible for the day-to-day management of government affairs and relationships with CAA members, legislative/regulatory bodies, and policy makers in a designated region. This position partners with these constituencies to develop, expand, and enhance relationships that further CAA’s strategic public affairs objectives while advocating on behalf of CAA, its members, and the rental housing industry to various state, regional, and local leaders, agencies, and regulatory bodies.

As a representative and a leader for the rental housing industry at the local and regional levels, the Vice President of Public Affairs is an advisor on public policy, political, and legislative efforts that affect the rental housing industry.   This position performs all aspects of level government advocacy, political action, coalition building, and member relations in their assigned geographic region which may change from time-to-time to respond to CAA’s business needs.  

SPECIFIC RESPONISBILITIES

·        -  Monitor legislative and regulatory activities in an assigned geographic portfolio; recommend strategic responses for CAA engagement and execute on course of action to advance CAA’s policy positions and objectives.

·        -  Advocate for CAA’s position on issues to various government officials and entities with goal of achieving a favorable outcome for CAA and its members.  This might require use of various means which may include, but not limited to, drafting policy, proposing legislative language, direct meetings, letters, position papers, testimonies, legislative proposals, public comments, grassroots mobilization, etc.

·        -  Serve as liaison for CAA with government officials in a defined region including city council members, state legislators and their district staff, municipal staff, city/county, special district administration officials, and counterparts from other non-governmental organizations. This includes convening various forums and/or representing CAA at relevant meetings, briefings, events, and other venues.

 

·        -  Engage with designated state officials and their staff (Senators & Assemblymembers) in their districts to advocate CAA policy positions on state legislative issues consistent with CAA’s state legislative plan and to connect CAA members to their state representatives.

·        -  Develop annual political strategy, budget, and plan to guide regional political fundraising and engagement strategy which includes overseeing local political action committee activities in region consistent with CAA guiding principles and PAC policies and procedures while coordinating with E/SVP.

·        -  With CAA’s legal team to develop and maintain comprehensive information affecting rental housing providers for identified cities including maintaining catalog of key regulations, fees affecting rental housing providers. Partner with E/SVP and CAA Policy Counsel to develop appropriate educational materials on local regulatory issues as identified.

·       -   Develop and maintain grassroots committees & mobilization networks in priority communities and communicate local trends, issues, and developments that impact the rental housing industry to CAA members, rental industry networks, coalition partners, and the public.

·      -   Promote CAA and its members as a key resource to the community and local/regional governments as a resource on rental housing policy matters.

 

REQUIREMENTS

• ·         Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with a focus on local/regional government.
• ·         Experience advocating for and representing the needs of the industry
• ·         Proven skill at anticipating and representing the needs of stakeholders; navigating relationships internally, externally, and advising senior leaders
• ·         Experience engaging and motivating groups of diverse individuals and constituents, and where appropriate, reconciling different points of view to build consensus
• ·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work with diverse stakeholders

 

Compensation and Benefits:   California Apartment Association offers a competitive salary that is commensurate with experience.  Additional benefits include health insurance and 401(k) with employer contribution.

Office Location:  CAA's main office is in Sacramento, with offices throughout California and all employees are currently working remotely due to Covid.