A Lobbyist Job-Seeker's Guide to San Diego

As the election approaches, joblessness continues to bedevil America, but in San Diego an impressive number of lobbying gigs are up for grabs. Rady Children’s Hospital is currently on the prowl for a new vice president and executive director for its nonprofit foundation; judging by the job notice, the new hire will have to be a pretty sharp de facto lobbyist. The VP will handle “activities and relationships with political, governmental and legislative bodies and individuals,” specifically “local, state and federal elected officials and their staff.” Considerable industrial intelligence is expected, in the form of “active and on-going surveillance and information-gathering, concerning matters of current and proposed law and public policy.” Plus, “development of strategies and tactics to enhance [Rady’s] political and public policy agendas.”

Would-be influence peddlers can apply to become director of “State Government Affairs” over at San Diego–based Encore Capital Group, “a leading provider of debt management and recovery solutions,” according to the firm’s recent help-wanted ad. “Through its subsidiaries, the company purchases portfolios of consumer receivables from major banks, credit unions, and utility providers, and partners with individuals as they repay their obligations and work toward financial recovery.” The new hire “will be responsible for directing a public affairs program in our headquartered state, California, as well as a multiple-state agenda related to legislative and regulatory issues critical to Encore and its corporate subsidiaries.” The successful candidate will be expected to “Build and maintain relationships with legislators and government officials” and “Develop opportunities for meetings with elected and appointed state officials at Encore’s headquarters and other domestic locations.” Familiarity with political cash is also highly valued, as the ideal new hire will “Develop strategic opportunities for state campaign involvement, in coordination with [the] PAC chairperson, and represent [the] company at fundraisers and other election related events.”

In a similar vein, the American Civil Liberties Union of San Diego and Imperial Counties wants to hire an associate director to “Ensure program staff’s coordination and assistance with fundraising efforts” and direct the group’s “process for determining positions on ballot initiatives and issues requiring board involvement.”