Job Class: State Program Admin Manager

Working Title:  Government Relations Director

Job ID: 47461

Open to all qualified job seekers

Date Posted:  7/23/2021

Closing Date:  8/05/2021

Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:  Secretary of State / Sec of State-Managerial

Division/Unit:  Secretary of State 22 / Operations

Work Shift/Work Hours:  Day Shift

Days of Work: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 

Travel Required:  No

Salary Range: $34.76-$50.24/hourly; $72,578-$104,901/annually

Classified Status:  Unclassified

Bargaining Unit/Union: 220-Manager/Unrep 

FLSA Status:  Exempt

 

Job Summary

The Government Relations Director is responsible for coordinating legislative strategies and advancing the policy agenda for the Office of the Secretary of State, as well as for information development needed to support these strategies and priorities. As part of the role of advancing the legislative agenda, this position is responsible for communicating the Secretary’s policy positions among key stakeholders in support of strategic objectives. This position represents the Office of the Secretary of State before the legislature and requires excellent oral and written communication skills. This position is also responsible for providing strategic advice and support to Secretary and office managers on issues related to intergovernmental relations and with community stakeholder groups.

Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Oversee and manage the Office of the Secretary of State’s (OSS) legislative and rulemaking initiatives.

• Work with legislators, policy stakeholders, and other government agencies to ensure the OSS’s position is communicated and the office is a participant in relevant policy development.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to develop and draft legislation.
• Represent the OSS at the state legislature through testimony, written communication, coordination of partner testimony, and in legislative meetings.
• Track and monitor legislation in Congress and the activities of federal agencies and recommend actions that OSS should take to advance state interests, including communicating with members of the Congressional delegation orally or in writing, submitting written comments on proposed regulations, and providing written testimony to Congressional committees.
• Monitor and track state and federal legislation and rulemaking related to the OSS.
• Stay abreast of legislative and policy proposals in other states related to OSS programs.
• Develop and maintain respectful working relationships with legislators and legislative staff at both the state and federal level.
• Develop and maintain respectful working relationships with key policy stakeholders, including local government officials and executive branch agency officials.

• Provide strategic advice and support to Secretary and office managers on issues related to intergovernmental relations.
• Provide strategic advice, assist with communications, and relationship management with local governments, community groups, political parties, and other OSS constituents and stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Three years of experience in government relations, legislative affairs, policy development, or related field.
• Speaking and writing skills sufficient to conduct professional-level communications. Public speaking skills sufficient to make presentations to internal and external audiences, and to provide legislative testimony.
• Interpersonal skills sufficient to explain complex issues in a way that can be understood by diverse audiences, one on one, in groups and both in person and by electronic means.
• Problem solving skills and flexibility to manage rapidly changing plans.
• High level of organizational skills with an ability to prioritize, coordinate, and manage multiple tasks and projects.
• Commitment to non-partisan principles.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or post-graduate degree in public administration, political science, intergovernmental relations, legislative affairs, law, or related field.
• Experience in performing legal research; drafting legal documents, legislation or rules; providing formal written and oral advice; and interpreting the impact of policies and implementing new policies into existing practices.
• Familiarity with both federal and Minnesota-specific voting laws, regulations, and procedures.
• Familiarity with Minnesota laws governing data and the Minnesota Data Practices Act.
• Experience with municipal government.
• Experience with Minnesota’s administrative rulemaking procedures.
• Experience with Federal rulemaking procedures.

Physical Requirements

• None

Additional Requirements:

It is the policy of the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State that all candidates successfully pass a background investigation prior to employment. The background check will include the following components:

• SEMA4 Records Check
• Criminal History Check
• Employment Reference Check
• Education/License Verification

How to Apply

State employees interested in applying must do so through the “careers” tab their Self-Service account by searching Job ID 47461 Closing Date: 08/05/2021.

All other individuals interested in the position should apply online on the State Careers’ web site at http://www.mn.gov/careers to the posting ID 47461.  

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Minnesota is an equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employer. We are committed to providing culturally responsive services to all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651.259.3637 or email careers@state.mn.us. Please indicate what assistance you need.