MARICOPA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: DIRECTOR OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

GRADE: 19

JOB CODE: 0237

FLSA: EXEMPT

Job Summary

Represents the District at the State Legislature, with the Governor’s Office, before State executive agencies, and with local government elected and administrative officials. In conjunction with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs, plans, develops and directs all aspects and phases of the District’s State government relations operations concerning state funding and legislative provisions and state rules that affect the District, and develops, reviews, analyzes and evaluates state public policy issue materials. In conjunction with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs and college presidents, plans and directs all aspects of the District’s relations with local governments. Directs others in the Division of Public Affairs assisting in meeting the District’s vision, mission, values and goals.

Scope

This position works in the area of the state and local government relations. Work contacts include state elected officials, state agency staff, local elected officials and administrators, community agencies, business leaders and groups, media representatives, attorneys, administrators, faculty, students, and the general public.

Supervision Received

This position reports to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs; receives broad instructions as to overall state and local relations goals and objectives; receives general direction regarding routine matters and specific instructions regarding non-routine and sensitive matters.

Supervision Exercised

Supervises the positions of Government Relations Coordinator, Administrative Assistant and/or assigned staff; provides consultative advice, through the Associate Vice Chancellor, to the Chancellor, Governing Board and a variety of administrators, staff, and faculty throughout the District.

Representative Duties

Plans, develops, directs and assesses all aspects of the District’s state and local government relations operations; plans, develops, assesses and evaluates legislative strategies for state initiatives; plans, directs and/or serves as lead negotiator for the District in very complex state and local policy negotiations; serves as the Chancellor’s spokesperson and negotiates on his/her behalf; develops, reviews, recommends implementation strategies on state and local public policy issues district wide; serves as mediator in state and local public policy matters; develops and maintains a broad range of state, local, private and public networks focusing on state-level community relations district wide; occasionally serves as district wide spokesperson with the media and community groups on state legislation, state and local public policy and other highly sensitive matters; directs and evaluates special assignments such as bond election operations, negotiating purchases of government land, etc; performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: complex activities and operations of state and local legislative bodies, state and local agencies; state statutes regarding community colleges; pending and proposed state legislation currently affecting community college districts; legislative history; Arizona’s property tax system; techniques of legislative advocacy, legislative research and impact analysis; and Arizona Revised Statutes generally.

Ability to: direct, execute, and evaluate effective legislative strategies; assess and implement state and local public policy issues; maintain state and local, private and public networks; negotiate very complex and sensitive state policy issues; effectively advocate the community college agenda to state government; manage and execute numerous and various complex state policy issues simultaneously; develop effective advocacy networks and build effective coalitions; maintain confidentiality; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; occasionally serve as a media spokesperson; establish cooperative working relationships with persons contacted in the course of performing assigned duties.

Training and Experience

Any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the required knowledge of Arizona state and local government and Arizona state legislative procedures and abilities. An example of this would be a college degree in political science, public administration, or communication and/or professional experience directing a government relations operation. Prior experience as a state legislative research and/or policy staff member, or registered lobbyist in Arizona is preferred.

Special Conditions of Employment

This position requires frequent local travel. Hours of work may vary to include early mornings, late evenings, and weekends, especially during the legislative session. Arizona Lobbyist Registration with the Arizona Secretary of State’s office is required.

Working Conditions

This class specification is intended to indicate the basic nature of positions allocated to the class and examples of typical duties that may be assigned. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all of the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned.