Government Relations Manager Jobs

WASHINGTON PUBLIC PORTS ASSOCIATION ______________________________________________________________________________

JOB DESCRIPTION

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS MANAGER

Association Overview

Washington State has seventy-five public port districts. These local government special purpose districts are located in every region of Washington state. They provide critical seaport, airport, marina, and economic development services to communities all over Washington, and serve as one of the most important tools for linking our people and our products to the world. Port districts build infrastructure, create jobs, lead environmental cleanups, and maintain local control of waterfronts, airports, and many other important facilities.

These port districts are represented by the Washington Public Ports Association (WPPA), an established Olympia-based local government association. The WPPA serves as an advocate and liaison for port districts to the state legislature, to state executive agencies and to the governor’s office. The WPPA also provides a educational and support services for its members, providing materials, seminars and conferences that keep port officials and staff up-to-date with evolving public policy issues.

SUMMARY

The WPPA’s Government Relations Manager represents Washington Ports before the legislature and executive agencies. The position is responsible for lobbying a wide variety of policy issues effecting port districts; keeping members informed on policy positions through both written and verbal communications; contributing to the Association's short- and long-range planning; providing support to association policy committees; contributing to member services educational programs including the Association's Annual and Spring meeting program development, WPPA committees, seminars, workshops, projects, and day-to-day operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

In carrying out the essential duties of the Association, this position:

Reports to the Executive Director, contributes to Association short- and long-range planning and policy development, and assists in implementing Executive Committee and Board directives.

Responsible for building and executing a year-round legislative program as a partner with the Association’s advocacy team. Manages Legislative Session team leadership, communications, current developments, status reporting, and tracking.

Helps lead the Association's strategic communications with the legislature and executive agencies. This includes identifying issues, setting priorities, and identifying stakeholders and partners in conjunction with the Association staff and membership.

Builds and maintains professional relationships with diverse policy groups and audiences that commonly interact with port members. This includes coordinating approaches to hearings, public meetings, and other external events; testifies before legislative and agency groups; drafts testimony, position papers, and other written materials; and enhances legislator, regulatory, and other interest understanding of port issues.

Serves as an effective problem solver by regularly engaging with and listening to Association membership; by making themselves available to membership and regularly visiting with member ports; and by leading in the development of policies or programming designed to effectively address and support membership goals.

Assists with day-to-day liaison and communications with Association membership, contributes to newsletter and other written communications and provides staff support to designated Association standing and ad hoc committees.Drafts Association policy and position papers.

Serves as a resource to members in areas such as economic development, transportation, and local government which includes advising port commissioners and directors on matters as varied as tax policy and health plans.

Responds to contingencies and serves as a resource to staff and members regarding critical issues. Also serves as project manager for ongoing and one-time studies such as the Ports Economic Development Survey; various transportation studies that are of interest to port members (e.g. Marine Cargo Forecast); and general studies arising out of the legislature.

Builds and maintains professional relationships and serves as an Association spokesperson to the State executive, legislative, and judicial branches, the private business sector, interest groups, and other agencies. Also maintains liaison with appropriate Congressional committees and federal agencies as needed.

Assists with planning and programming for association meetings, and other workshops and programs to ensure they meet member needs and are carried out in accordance with approved policies and procedures.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Extensive knowledge of, and experience with local, state and federal legislative processes and relations; working knowledge of Washington State laws and regulations.

Ability to effectively assist Executive Director and staff in advancing Association interests with state and other agencies, identify critical issues and priorities; run and track the Association's programs; exercise good judgment calls on sensitive issues; perform diverse written and public speaking duties; communicate effectively verbally and in writing to diverse audiences; present formal and informal public testimony; operate independently as well as a team member implementing legislative program; and handle crisis management functions.

Ability to handle physical requirements of the position.Valid Washington State driver’s license.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position primarily works in an office environment to meet business and operational needs.May travel to ports and to and from different legislative offices.

Because of WPPA’s mission and role in government affairs, it is essential that WPPA employees understand the sensitive nature of their employment and conduct themselves accordingly.All employees must not engage in any activity which could be characterized as lobbying unless it is part of their duties as an employee of WPPA.

Our vision is to create an organization that mirrors – throughout its breadth of operations and services and within its leadership – the diversity of our port members and the communities they serve. Our organization embraces the principles of equity that are reflected in those communities.

MINIMUM JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience:

·Completion of related Bachelor of Arts or Sciences degree from an accredited college or university.

·Three to five years of legislative and policy experience.Some of this experience can include agency experience, experience in local government, or other relevant skills.

Preferred Education and Experience:

·Prior direct experience with the Washington Legislature, a Washington state port district, or both

·Five or more years of port/public sector and legislative relations experience.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to handle physical requirements of the position.Valid Washington State driver’s license.

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

The Government Relations Manager is recognized as a unique and highly valued asset to the WPPA.Accordingly, regular office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. while the Washington State Legislature is in session, and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the remainder of the year.These hours are flexible and may be adjusted as needed.Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Excellence in meeting organizational goals is valued above strict adherence to attendance criteria.

TRAVEL

This position will require travel.Travel is primarily local during the business day, although some out-of-area and overnight travel will be expected.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary range is $7,500 - $8,750 per month ($90,000-$105,000 per year), DOQ. This position includes a full benefit package including medical and dental insurance, retirement contribution, paid vacation, and medical leave time.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Position is open until August 15, 2023.

APPLICATIONS

Please send a resumé and cover letter, describing your interest and qualifications, to:

[email protected]

Washington Public Ports Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer.