Facebook to hire new D.C. staff, lobbyist

Facebook's Washington office is expanding.

The burgeoning social network just posted new positions to build on its current team of three D.C. staffers.

Facebook is looking for a "public policy manager" and a "public policy associate" to help tackle the growing list of issues the company now faces in Washington.

Congress continues to flirt with the idea of enacting privacy legislation, which would have an enormous impact on how Facebook and other internet companies collect consumer data. The Federal Trade Commission is eyeing new regulations for the online advertising industry, on which Facebook relies for revenue. And privacy advocates and consumer groups are quick to voice concerns Facebook's growing arsenal of personal information.

At least one of the new additions will be a lobbyist. Responsibilities will include leading outreach to consumer groups, monitoring legislation, meeting with government officials and building coalitions to advance Facebook's policy goals.

Facebook opened its D.C. office in 2007, relying on Adam Conner to handle outreach to lawmakers and their staffs. Last year, Facebook hired veteran privacy advocate Tim Sparapani, formerly with the ACLU, to lead its lobbying efforts. Andrew Noyes, former Congress Daily reporter, joined the team in November as communications manager.

The company is expanding outside the United States as well. It just opened an office in Germany and is looking for two new policy managers to represent Facebook in Europe. Since each country has vastly different privacy laws, Facebook needs additional resources as the social network spreads around the world.