Julie Janovsky
Senior State Legislative Specialist
The Humane Society of the United States
Washington, D.C. 

How long have you been working in your current career? What did you do before?
I have worked at The HSUS for six years – five in government affairs, one in Farm Animal and Sustainable Agriculture. Prior to this I worked for a federal congressman on issues including: animal protection, Russian affairs, banking,education,and scheduling – while getting my masters in environmental science.

Why did you decide to pursue this career?
I have always wanted to work on environmental protection and wildlife conservation. I decided to work in government affairs because changing policy could result in both direct/immediate hands on protection of animals as well as long term policy change for them.

What traits would you say make your job “humane”? 
I work to change policy through lobbying for animal protection legislation and regulation and against bills that would diminish such protection. Education and grassroots outreach is a critical element of this.

What kind of education and training did you get before you started your first professional job?
I have had jobs since high school ranging from farm work to waitressing and office work. After I earned my undergraduate degree I worked on Capital Hill, which was instrumental in obtaining my position with The Humane Society. While still working for a federal congressman, I earned a masters degree in environmental science and worked as a business manager overseas.

How did you find your first job in your profession?
I met the Congressman while doing my undergraduate degree; and I met a lobbyist from The Humane Society while working for the Congressman.

What are your duties in your current position?
Analyzing, tracking, researching legislation and statutes, drafting bills and amendments, lobbying, testifying and coordinating efforts on animal protection legislation in all states on animal protection issues, including companion, wild, farm and research animals. I speak at national and local conferences and workshops on state legislative trends, specific bills, and citizen lobbyist instruction. Much of the work includes developing strategies to stop legislation that seeks to diminish protection for animals. I am directly involved with and actively assist individuals, organizations and HSUS regional staff throughout the country on their legislative efforts. I draft a monthly newsletter on state legislation that is distributed to over 150 “Legislative Circle” members that are actively working on state legislation.

What do you like most about your job?
Directly lobbying legislators and teaching citizens how to get involved in lobbying.

What do you like least about your job? 
Paperwork, writing expenses, reports – items that are not related to furthering animal issues and concerns. Days of research only.

What’s a typical workday like for you?
During legislative sessions, two to three days a week I head to a state capital and have anywhere from 3 to 9 lobbying appointments or hearings. Much of the day will include waiting, and trying to catch up with legislators as they run from place to place. A lot of the lobbing is done in sound bites. On hearing days, there are calls to reporters and often calls to our grassroots staff to make sure that our membership is notified of any legislators who are “on the fence” on particular bills. Often these days will include trips to the bill drafting office where I will need to draft amendments and compromise language. Some days I will need to testify or arrange for experts to testify, and instruct people how to do so.  The end  of the day is often very late – writing follow up letters or email alerts to activists letting them know what actions are needed to further advance or stop a bill.

What types of training or experiences do you need to keep up-to-date in your field?
Keeping up with what the major issues and political climate in various state legislatures is always helpful – so you know when to bring your bills up for discussion. Knowing what it is like to work in a legislator’s office is also helpful – or just having an appreciation for the balancing act that legislators and staff must go through on a daily basis.  It is also helpful to have a working knowledge of the legislature’s schedule, and websites, so bills can be easily tracked.

What keeps you motivated to keep doing your work? 
The animals – and the legislators. When you start to affect them, it is amazing how you feel as though you are really starting to make an impact.

What personal traits do you think someone needs to be successful in your field?
Perseverance, ability to compromise, acceptance that great change often comes in small steps, willingness to separate issues from players.

What advice would you give to a college student or other young person considering entering your field?  What advice would you give to someone who’s changing fields and is interested in a career in your profession?
I would want them to know that this is a hard job; be prepared for long hours, hard work, and frustration - but a feeling of great satisfaction knowing that you are working for the good. For someone changing careers, I would say that this is extremely rewarding in that you can put your heart and soul into it.

Anything else you’d like to add about your work or about careers helping animals? 
The work is as rewarding as it is exhausting and as joyful as it is frustrating, but overall, it is worth it. 

July 2005