Details
 

11/08/2017

Legislative Affairs Liaison

Mecklenburg County


This position reports to the Assistant County Manager/Chief of Staff and has the primary responsibility for serving as the County's legislative liaison with our local delegation as well as the County’s state and federal lobbyists. Responsibilities will include preparing the County’s annual legislative requests for both state and federal action, developing and executing strategies to achieve the County’s legislative goals, and responding to requests and inquiries that may require policy analysis, research and collaboration with County executives, legal staff and/or outside agencies. Incumbent must be able to exercise sound judgment and independent discretion in determining appropriate response and action to a large variety of requests for assistance and information. The successful candidate will be able to create presentation materials, draft professional correspondence (i.e. memos) and support the Board, including Board Committee meetings, as needed. Incumbent will also be responsible for providing liaison services to resolve escalated concerns from citizens on an ad hoc basis.

The successful candidate will:
• Drive strategic legislative efforts for the County and across Departments
• Advocate the County's positions with members of the state legislature, the federal delegation, administration officials and their respective staffs at all levels of government
• Demonstrate experience establishing and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships with elected officials and their respective staffs
• Discuss County positions, prepare legislative summaries, conduct impact analysis of legislative initiatives and successfully communicate legislative changes and impacts across all levels of the organization
• Conduct legislative briefings and seminars for department directors to prepare for legislature; monitor legislative and executive branch initiatives, investigations, hearings and meetings; and keep the County Manager, County staff, and the Board of County Commissioners updated and apprised on actual and prospective legislation.
• Oversee and coordinate the activities of contracted lobbyists and ensure they are kept informed of the county’s needs and goals; maintain regular contact with contracted lobbyists at both the state and federal level so that both the County and its lobbying team are continuously in sync with the latest policy and political actions
• Work continuously with state and federal lobbyists to identify and pursue sustainable grant opportunities
• Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquiries and complaints; coordinate conflict resolution meetings; research and investigate various issues affecting the County's interests.
• Ability to drive decision making processes to consensus from interested parties regarding proposed actions and initiatives

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Experience: At least five years of increasingly responsible experience in federal, state and/or local government relations.

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, political science, business administration or a field related to the essential functions.

The ideal candidate would possess the following:
• Experience working in both federal and state/local government
• At least two years of lead / supervisory responsibility.
• Direct experience and demonstrated success working with lobbyists, elected officials and their staff on legislative initiatives
• Ability to manage multiple projects and assignments simultaneously
• Ability to maintain and demonstrate effective working relationships with all segments of the community and employees of the organization
• Ability to work with initiative and independence, exercising good judgment within the scope of authority
• Master's or professional degree in a related field

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Must travel to attend meetings locally, in Raleigh, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and other locations as necessary.

Apply here: https://www.mecknc.gov/HR/Pages/Home.aspx

Contact Person

Torrey McKay

Phone

980-314-2737

Email

torrey.mckay@mecklenburgcountync.gov

 

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