Senior Regional Affairs Associate

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Vice President, Government and Regional Affairs, this position supports the corporation’s efforts with respect to matters of Advocacy; public policy; regional affairs; government relations; and Alaska Native Unity. The Senior Regional Affairs Associate supports regional and legislative affairs efforts of the corporation and assists in implementation of the Board of Directors’ annual regional advocacy priorities and other governmental issues as they arise.

Salary Starting: $85,000

Essential Functions Include, But Are Not Limited To

• Participates in the development of the annual Regional & Legislative Advocacy Plan.
• In consultation with the VP Government and Regional Affairs, develops and implements strategies to advance goals in the annual Regional & Legislative Advocacy Plan.
• Evaluates and advises on the impact of federal, state, and municipal programs, policies and opportunities that affect Koniag and/or Kodiak Island communities.
• Assists in long-range planning and introduction of new programs/strategies.
• Analyzes proposed regulatory action and drafts comments and/or testimony. On occasion, may provide testimony.
• Collaborates with the region’s villages, tribes, village corporations and regional Native organizations regarding regional, statewide, and national regulatory, policy and legislative issues as well as projects or programs that could impact Koniag, its Shareholders, the region’s villages or the broader Native community.
• Provides communications on meetings, opportunities and issues to the Koniag/KANA Roundtable group.
• Leads coordination and organization of Koniag/KANA Roundtable meetings. May present on various issues at Roundtable meetings.
• Collaborate and strategize with the VP Government and Regional Affairs to ensure that the corporation’s legislative priorities receive attention on the federal, state, and local level.
• Represents Koniag during federal agencies visits to the Kodiak region.
• Develops professional relationships with staff of state and federal elected officials and representatives of state and federal agencies.
• Develops strategy and recommendations for advocating on legislative and policy initiatives that support Koniag’s goals and objectives.
• Provides technical assistance in support of Koniag’s policy agenda including developing and organizing briefing materials for key stakeholders.
• Plays key role in developing and maintaining Koniag’s relationships with Native organizations and village leadership in the Koniag region.
• Collaborates with Native trade and tribal associations to pursue similar advocacy issues and gain support for Native issues.
• Coordinates region-wide meetings with Koniag stakeholders to further the Advocacy agenda.
• Participates in regional or statewide meetings, conferences, forums, etc. at the request of or in place of the VP Government and Regional Affairs.
• Identifies funding opportunities for infrastructure needs in-region.
• Supervises Advocacy interns and temporary Advocacy support positions.
• Serves as alternate for Koniag’s seat on the Alaska Federation of Natives board of directors.
• When needed, represents, and organizes corporate participation at federal, state and local hearings, agency meetings, legislative meetings, and Native community and organization meetings.
• Analyzes potential impacts of legislative proposals to Koniag and its Shareholders as they are introduced at the federal, state, and local levels of government.
• Performs legislative and policy research and prepares detailed written analysis for the VP Government and Regional Affairs and potentially the Board of Directors and Executive Team.
• Works with the VP Government and Regional Affairs on preparation of the Advocacy Annual Operating Plan.
• As needed, represents Koniag on various boards, commissions, councils, associations, committees, and other groups to further the corporation’s advocacy agenda and public image.
• Performs other technical and administrative support functions as assigned by the VP Government and Regional Affairs.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills & Ability

• Solid working knowledge of Alaska Native Corporations and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.
• Mature leadership, seasoned judgment, high integrity, and the ability to learn quickly. Ability to quickly gain credibility and to understand and influence the organization. Confident with strong interpersonal skills. Ability to develop and manage productive relationships at all levels, establish trust and advise staff in a thoughtful, sensitive, and timely manner.
• Ability to work with legislative staff and regulatory agencies to advance policy and advocacy priorities.
• Strong interpersonal communication and relationship skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in all forms of communication, including verbal, written and presentation that deliver technical language in understandable terms. Ability to develop coalitions with key partners to advance specific business goals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the state or federal legislative and political process.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically while implementing and executing initiatives with excellence and influencing appropriately for success.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze proposed legislation and/or regulations to determine impacts on the business and stakeholders.
• Ability to draft rules and amendments to regulations and legislation.
  
  

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, political science, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• 2 years related to public policy or government relations experience.
• Ability to pass a background check.
  
  

Office Location and Travel:

This position is in Anchorage, AK.

Occasional frequent travel to other local and out of state business sites, conferences and meetings is required.

Working Environment & Conditions

This position is primarily indoors, consistent with a standard office position and has a noise level of mostly low to moderate. The incumbent is required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. The workload may require the incumbent to sit for extended periods of time. The incumbent must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Preference Statement

Preference will be given to Koniag shareholders and their descendants and spouses, and to shareholders of other corporations created pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, in accordance with Title 43 U.S. Code 1626(g) and Title 42 U.S. Code 2003-2(i).

Additionally, Koniag’s policy is to select, place, train and promote the most qualified individuals based upon relevant factors such as work quality, attitude and experience, so as to provide equal employment opportunity for all employees in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws and without regard to non-work related factors such as race, color, religion/creed, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, citizenship or other protected status. When applicable, Koniag’s policy of non-discrimination applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, transfer, promotion, placement, layoff, compensation, termination, reduction in force and benefits.

Reasonable Accommodation

It is Koniag’s business philosophy and practice to provide reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all qualified individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe the general content and requirements for performance of this job. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties, responsibilities, and requirements.

This job description is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter the scope of work within the framework of this job description at any time without prior notice.