Essential Job Duties

The following areas of accountability correspond to the specific subject matter area assigned to the individual intergovernmental relations representative:

• Represents the League before the state legislature, congressional delegation and the state and federal executive agencies and departments.  Advocates League policy positions. Works with the Revisor’s office and others to draft legislation consistent with League policy.  Negotiates legislative proposals and the development of administrative rules consistent with adopted League policy.  Testifies before committees and coordinates the testimony of city officials, including the preparation of written comments.  Drafts and provides comments during agency rulemaking and guideline development.
• Develops and maintains respectful working relationships with city officials, legislators, legislative staff, members and staff of the Minnesota Congressional delegation, members of the state and federal executive branches and other advocacy groups. 
• Assists in planning and coordinating the development and representation of the League’s state and federal intergovernmental program.  Collaborates with other IGR staff to determine best strategic and tactical plans to implement policies.
• Staffs policy committees, plans and implements the work schedule in consultation with committee chairs and prepares background materials.  Identifies, researches, and assists in the development of League policy, arranges presenters and speakers, and drafts policy materials for committees. 
• Researches and analyzes state and federal legislative proposals, rules, and regulatory actions for their impact on cities.  Produces briefing materials for policy committees and League members.  Prepares and makes presentations of the League’s findings.
• Develops a substantive knowledge and expertise in multiple policy areas of primary importance to the League.  Stays informed and participates in the development of League’s legislative priorities and workplan.
• Monitors and tracks state and federal legislation and rulemaking through legislative or agency processes.  Reviews, reports on, responds to, and forwards to appropriate League staff information and notices on the state agency web sites and in the State Register. 
• Keeps city officials informed on legislative and rule-making processes by summarizing issues, bills, hearings, floor actions and laws for weekly bulletins, monthly magazines and other communications tools. Uses social media to report on legislative and other actions that impact city interests.
• Staffs special working groups and task forces comprised of city officials to identify critical issues and provide guidance on initiatives and necessary local actions to respond to emerging issues. 
• Serves as a liaison to affiliate organizations.  Makes presentations to affiliate organizations and reports on activities of affiliate organizations to other League staff.  Develops collaborative working relationships with affiliate organizations that foster mutual support of legislative and intergovernmental goals.
• Responds to inquiries from city officials dealing with recently enacted legislation and emerging issues in which policy is being developed and serves as a resource on legislative issues to the media and to the communications staff.
• Collaborates with employees in other League departments to identify potential intergovernmental issues and develops recommendations on how the League can most effectively respond to these issues.
• Coordinates with the League’s Research Department to provide timely and accurate information to members on issues impacting cities related to a particular area of expertise.
• Provides advice to other League departments on legislative issues and assists with the coordination, preparation, and recruitment of speakers and content for member engagement and learning activities.
• Keeps Director of Intergovernmental Relations promptly informed of intergovernmental accomplishments, issues, or problems as they arise. Tracks city official contacts in the League’s contact database.
• Other duties as assigned or apparent.

Examples of Performance Criteria

• Achieves intergovernmental goals established for the assigned subject matter.
• Is consistently regarded and sought out as a reliable and credible source of information on municipal issues.
• Assesses the importance of issues in the assigned subject matter and sets priorities and organizes work accordingly.
• Considerable time is spent at the State Capitol, its legislative and executive offices.
• Must be able to maintain communication with the Executive Director to report significant developments where consultation on intergovernmental strategies is needed.
• Meets or exceeds League Empowerment and Performance Program (LEAPP) results/timelines and other department performance measures.
• Promotes diversity and inclusion objectives, including race equity objectives, defined by the League and continually examines own performance to eliminate implicit bias in carrying out duties and interacting with the public, coworkers, and members.

Core Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in in public administration, intergovernmental relations, political science, legislative affairs or related field or equivalent experience.
• Must have at least three years of representation experience.
• Experience with municipal government responsibilities and operations.
• Experience with state and national legislative and rule-making processes.
• Ability to explain, in writing or orally, complex, and technical matters.
• Must make frequent trips by automobile, sometimes outside of the Metropolitan Area and requiring overnight travel.
• Must be available to work evenings and weekends during the legislative session to represent the League at legislative proceedings related to the assigned subject area.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience representing public sector entities, preferably at the level of municipal government.
• Post college graduate degree work in a related area.

All applicants must complete the Online Application for Employment and Supplemental Questionnaire.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the application.