Intergovernmental Affairs Director

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under general administrative direction, performs high-level work of considerable complexity and sensitivity reviewing legislation at the local, state, and federal levels and recommends actions to further the Mayor and City Council policy interest; serves as the primary liaison between the Mayor and City Council, City and the elected and appointed officials of other governmental agencies. Receives general administrative direction from the Mayor, City Council and as appropriate, from the City Manager.

The Intergovernmental Affairs Director is a classified position that reports to the Mayor and City Council and keeps the City Manager informed of issues impacting the City.  This position retains all of the rights of a City Employee. Discipline and termination remain under the purview of the City Manager, with input from the City Council.

The Intergovernmental Affairs Director coordinates the City’s dealing with federal, state, and other local governments, seeking to foster constructive partnerships between the Mayor, City Council, City and these entities. The incumbent keeps the Mayor, City Council and City Manager informed on intergovernmental issues and assists in representing the City’s interest in these matters including monitoring and/or advocating for various pieces of legislation and grant funding.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Maintains awareness of legislative activities affecting City operations and provide timely updates and assessment of federal, state, and local programs/initiatives; anticipate legislative issues and identifies opportunities to develop and influence policy to best meet the needs of the Mayor, City Council and City.
• Participates in and often leads the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for citywide legislative initiatives and policy actions; interprets complex and technical legislative reports and educates City on legislation that impacts the City.
• Coordinates the formulation and advocacy of legislative and state/federal funding; conducts analysis, develops and recommends policy positions on government affairs and legislative issues to the Mayor, City Council and City Manager.
• Coordinates the City’s external relationships with other regional governmental agencies and legislative bodies with common interests, and develops and leads regional strategies on legislative and regional issues.
• Coordinates legislative efforts with the League of Arizona Cities and Towns and other affected parties such as Maricopa Association of Governments, Central Arizona Association of Governments, Rural Transportation Advisory Council, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the Arizona Department of Transportation and monthly State Transportation Board meetings, etc.; and seeks to influence decision-makers to support City initiated views.
• Conducts special projects, studies, surveys and collects information on difficult intergovernmental and administrative problems, analyzes findings, and prepares reports of practical solutions.
• Represents the Mayor and City Council in meetings, special commissions, and boards as assigned, and with legislators, elected and appointed officials, and other political jurisdictions.
• Develop itineraries and briefing documents for the Mayor and City Council in advance of federal and state legislative meetings and related travel.
• Coordinates meetings with federal and state elected or appointed officials and or council retained lobbyists and works with their staff to effectively plan and execute visits, events, and tours.
• Performs lobbyist activities and represents the City’s interest with local, county, state and federal issues; coordinates activities with their respective staff. Performs lobbyist activities for the City by making appearances at hearings and meetings in Arizona, Washington D.C. and other required city-related locations, persuading policymakers to accept the City’s legislative position, maintaining contact and influence with regional players, and representing the City’s initiated views.
• Participates in special projects and activities by acting as a political advisor, and with permission serves as spokesperson for the Mayor and City Council on selected intergovernmental issues and programs wherein the Council is not present, but is using the Intergovernmental Affairs Director as their representative.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in public administration, political science or related field, and five (5) years of experience working with state legislators, political and local officials, including experience in coordinating and administering special projects and intergovernmental programs.

   PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Two (2) years of supervisory or project management experience and a Master's Degree is preferred.

• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job, may be substituted for Preferred Qualifications at the discretion of the hiring authority. 

OTHER JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Valid Arizona Operator's Driver's License.

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• State legislative process
• Functions and structure of committees
• Federal and state programs and their relationship to municipal operations
• State government protocol
• Arizona Lobbyist regulations
• Principles and practices of public administration
• Municipal finance and budgeting
• Administrative project development, scheduling, and monitoring

 Ability to:

• Interpret federal, state and city ordinances, rules and regulations, and make rational decisions in accordance with established policy;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with political officials, city officials, co-workers, other professionals, citizen's groups, and the general public.
• Maintain a registered lobbyist certification;
• Analyze, interpret and report research findings and recommendations;
• Present information concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Produce written documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts, with proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Ability to be self-motivated and highly communicative.  Hours are somewhat flexible depending on the season of the year, with extensive hourly commitments while the Arizona Legislature is in session up to and sometimes beyond Sine Die.  Other times a mixture of working in the office or an at-home office will be acceptable depending on permission from the governing authority.