VSBA Employment Opportunities

Job Opening – Government Relations Specialist
Virginia School Boards Association
Charlottesville, Virginia

About the Virginia School Boards Association

Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA), which is in Charlottesville, is a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of Virginia school boards which promotes excellence in public education by providing leadership, advocacy, and support for our members. VSBA has been in existence since 1906 and takes pride in the role we have played in supporting local school boards and school board members for over 116 years. You can obtain more information about the organization at www.vsba.org.

VSBA’s membership is currently comprised of 125 school boards in Virginia, from Accomack County (on the Eastern Shore) to Lee County (which borders Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina) and from Frederick County in northern Virginia to Halifax County in the southern part of the state. Each of our member school boards is different, but each shares a passion for educating the children of Virginia.

There is no typical day at VSBA. The VSBA staff is small, and everyone pitches in to make sure everything gets done.

Position Overview:

This is a full-time position on-site splitting time between Charlottesville, Virginia and Richmond, Virginia. The Government Relations Specialist will play a key role in supporting the work of the Association. Responsibilities include:

• represents the legislative interests of the Association in the Virginia General Assembly and Congress based on VSBA Legislation Positions Handbook
• works closely with VSBA lobbyists to ensure maximum coverage of General Assembly
• studies and interprets proposed legislation that will have an impact on education
• disseminates VSBA lobbying and legislative information to the membership
• attends and lobbies as necessary General Assembly education, finance and other committee meetings and reports activities on the VSBA legislative Blog or email Alert
• tracks carryover bills to be prepared with VSBA Legislative Positions testimony or lobbying efforts in preparation for the subsequent General Assembly
• attends and monitors education related studies conducted by the Joint Legislative Audit Review Committee
• organizes Virginia delegation’s participation in COSSBA Federal Advocacy Conference and delivers VSBA Legislative Positions book to Virginia’s Congressional team
• makes legislator visitations (education & finance/appropriations committee member) in home district to build a relationship and awareness of VSBA legislative positions
• attends National legislative meetings such as Education Commission of the States (ECS); National Conference of State Legislators (NCLS); Southern Legislative Conference (SLC), etc. to have an opportunity to hear national issues that may be considered in Virginia and to build a stronger relationship with Virginia’s legislators
• attends meetings of education-related groups such as Board of Education, VEC, State superintendent of Instruction’s monthly meetings (SLAC and regional) and local liaisons
• hosts a pre-General Assembly meeting each fall for local liaisons (Virginia Education Legislative Liaisons: VELL meeting)
• presents webinars of legislative-related issues as needed
• prepares legislative position statements and resolutions for consideration by the VSBA Board of Directors and/or VSBA Delegate Assembly and prepares Legislative Positions Handbook
• provides legislative information to VSBA members as needed, including written updates of legislative actions and final legislative summary for distribution,
• present legislative briefings as needed
• prepares research and information on legislative issues as approved by the VSBA Executive Director or designee
• assists accounting department in preparing lobbyist disclosure statements which are due in the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office by July 1
• performs any other duties as assigned by the Executive Director or designee

Candidate Qualifications
We are looking for an excellent communicator who will enjoy working with school board members from across the state who have a wide variety of backgrounds that have led them to serve on their local school boards. Experience as a lobbyist is preferred.

To Join Our Team
Tell us who you are and how you see yourself fitting into VSBA by submitting, in confidence, a cover letter and resume to Gina Patterson, Executive Director, at gina@vsba.org. Please note, the information must be emailed to gina@vsba.org to be considered for the position. Applications sent through other methods will not be considered.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Job Opening – Staff Attorney
Virginia School Boards Association
Charlottesville, Virginia

About the Virginia School Boards Association

Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA), which is in Charlottesville, is a voluntary, nonpartisan organization of Virginia school boards which promotes excellence in public education by providing leadership, advocacy, and support for our members. VSBA has been in existence since 1906 and takes pride in the role we have played in supporting local school boards and school board members for over 116 years. You can obtain more information about the organization at www.vsba.org.

VSBA’s membership is currently comprised of 125 school boards in Virginia, from Accomack County (on the Eastern Shore) to Lee County (which borders Tennessee, Kentucky and North Carolina) and from Frederick County in northern Virginia to Halifax County in the southern part of the state. Each of our member school boards is different, but each shares a passion for educating the children of Virginia.

There is no typical day at VSBA. The VSBA staff is small, and everyone pitches in to make sure everything gets done.

Position Overview

This is a full-time position on-site in Charlottesville, Virginia. The Staff Attorney will play a key role in supporting the Director of Legal and Policy Services, assisting in legal research, policy analysis, and member support. Responsibilities include:

• Having one-on-one conversations with school board members, superintendents, and board clerks;
• Evaluating and drafting compliance-based sample school board policies;
• Speaking at conferences and workshops and conducting webinars;
• Drafting, editing, and reviewing VSBA newsletters and publications;
• Participating in school board development activities; and
• Researching, analyzing and interpreting state and federal laws and regulations related to education, school law, local government, and administrative law.

This position offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with school board members across the state, making complex legal and policy matters accessible to individuals from diverse backgrounds. Strong communication skills—both written and verbal—are essential.

Candidate Qualifications

We are looking for an excellent communicator who will enjoy speaking with school board members from across the state who have a wide variety of backgrounds that have led them to serve on their local school boards.

You must be admitted to practice law in Virginia, be in good standing with the Virginia State Bar. We offer competitive salary and benefits. Salary will be commensurate with experience. VSBA offers excellent health care benefits for employees and their families and provides generous contributions to a retirement plan.

To Join Our Team

Tell us who you are and how you see yourself fitting into VSBA by submitting, in confidence, a cover letter and resume to Gina Patterson, Executive Director, at gina@vsba.org. Please note, the information must be emailed to gina@vsba.org to be considered for the position. Applications sent through other methods will not be considered.