Legislative & Governmental Affairs Senior Advisor

What Success Looks Like In This Job

This position leads the Legislative and Government Affairs function on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) and County Manager. The primary responsibilities of this position include:

• Develop and maintain relationships with legislative bodies, regulatory agencies, and municipal partners to advance the County’s public policy goals, in alignment with applicable laws.
• Propose, solicit, or prepare legislative and regulatory changes while identifying and addressing affected interests.
• Plan and coordinate the County’s political and legislative strategy in collaboration with the BoCC and Adams County staff.
• Supervise the Human Services Legislative and Policy Analyst and convene other departmental policy staff.

Examples of Duties for Success

• Lead and oversee the County’s legislative lobbying and regulatory efforts both nationally and locally, collaborating directly with cross-functional teams to advance key initiatives.
• Monitor federal, state, and regulatory activity affecting the county.
• Manage federal and state lobbyists and establish direct communication channels with federal regulators.
• Represent the County and work closely with local jurisdictions and quasi-governmental agencies and special districts on matters of direct impact.
• Oversee the proactive development of and response to legislation, regulations, and/or policy changes affecting the County’s operation and governance.
• Manage the County's legislative and regulatory activities, including lobbying for or against prospective legislation and regulations, analyzing pending legislation, regulation, priorities, and issues and the potential impact on the county via management of an internal cross-functional team, and recommending strategies and policy initiatives to the BoCC.
• Articulating the county's legislative agenda to local, state, and federal elected officials and special districts.
• Establish and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative committees, elected officials, regulators, and various intergovernmental associations.
• Represent the County and may serve as Board proxy on Colorado Counties, Inc. (CCI) Steering Committees, CCI Initiatives/Events and other groups as assigned.
• Communicate the outcome of legislative and regulatory activities to elected officials and management team.
• Coordinate, plan, and execute multiple strategic visits per year to Washington D.C. with federal partners and administration offices. This includes arranging meetings, compiling briefing materials, and preparing senior staff and BoCC for the lobbying efforts.
• Coordinate with the management team, department directors, elected officials, and Budget/Finance personal on legislation/regulation that has a programmatic and fiscal impact.
• Work to advance the credibility and political influence of the county in federal, state, local and regional arenas through participation and involvement in federal, state, local and regional projects, and issues.
• Work closely with the Board of County Commissioners on setting federal and state legislative priorities for the county.
• Routinely present to the BoCC and other high-profile groups of elected officials and community leaders on legislative and regulatory matters.
• Engage with community stakeholders, as appropriate, to understand impacts to potential policy and/or regulatory changes.
• Assist in studies, programs or special projects related to regional and countywide initiatives.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Qualifications for Success

• Participate in department budget preparation, administration, monitor and controls of expenditures.
• Availability for evening and weekend hours, including out of state travel.
• Comprehensive knowledge of local government policies and procedures.
• Innovative and detailed-oriented while maintaining a systems-level approach to analysis and implementing programs and strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high-level programs and projects effectively.
• Experience managing staff and professional lobby teams.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret and produce research.
• Understanding of both technical and legal material.
• Learn, interpret, and apply pertinent federal, state, and local laws, and regulations.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and harmonious working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Demonstrated project management capabilities.
• Exceptional communication skills, both verbal and written, including public speaking and in creating and delivering presentations.
• Proven ability to build healthy, effective working relationships with staff at various levels of an organization.
• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision.
• Flexibility to handle multiple projects, become informed on new topics quickly, and adapt to evolving priorities.
• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor with the ability to handle sensitive situations tactfully and diplomatically.
• Commitment to ethical standards in the course of public service.

More Qualifications for Success

Experience:

• Minimum Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional legislative or public affairs experience in the public sector OR any equivalent combination with at least three (3) years of supervisory and board experience.
• Prior experience in dealing with the public, elected officials, department/division heads, and boards and commissions, and special interest groups.
• Previous legislative, regulatory, and public sector or public sector-related experience preferred.

Education and Training:

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Community Development, Urban and Regional Planning or directly related field.
• Master's Degree preferred.

License or Certificate: None.

Background Check: Must pass a criminal background check.