Government Relations Manager
- Summary
- The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) values diverse perspectives and life experiences. The Department encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans and those with lived experience.
The Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) provides equitable opportunities for people to be healthy, happy, self-reliant, and connected to community.
DCHS is seeking a full-time, permanent Government Relations Manager to foster education of and responsiveness to elected officials, their staff, and other external partners regarding DCHS programs and policy goals. This includes but is not limited to:- Lead the annual process to solicit and finalize top state and federal legislative priorities for DCHS
- Coordinate proactive and reactive engagement with policymakers and other external partners regarding DCHS programs and policy priorities,
- Coordinate Department responses to active policy and programmatic discussion, and
- Coordinate with Department leadership and Executive Constantine's office to advance DCHS and Executive Office policy goals.
The incumbent will be a strategic thought partner, bring outstanding relationship-building skills, and demonstrate commitment to collaboration. A commitment to equity and social justice principles, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment are critical to success. Top-tier candidates will possess leadership skills, ability to manage projects and teams, understand how to build and foster effective relationships, communicate with transparency and clarity, and work in a complex and constantly evolving environment. The position is within the Director's Office and reports to the Director of External Affairs.
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Candidates who wish to be considered for this position must submit an online King County application and respond to the supplemental questions. A cover letter is requested. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the requested and relevant information in the online application and supplemental questionnaire. Applications and/or supplemental questionnaires that state, “see my resume” are considered incomplete and will not be considered to be competitive.
WORK SCHEDULE/CONDITIONS: This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is not eligible for overtime. Typical hours are Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm.Teleworking Requirement
The work associated with this position will be performed through a combination of teleworking complemented with onsite work and meetings as needed. Employees will have access to shared workspaces at various King County facilities. Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.
Employees will be provided with a County issued laptop and must maintain a workspace with an internet connection (access may be supplemented in some situations) where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours. Please note that when an employee conducts work that is likely to bring them in contact with another individual, safety precautions are required, including the wearing of masks in some situations. King County is doing its part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and remains committed to reducing our carbon footprint.
King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely. The individual selected for this opportunity will be joining an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.
RECRUITER: Susan Churchill, susan.churchill@kingcounty.gov
ABOUT KING COUNTY
As the only county in the United States named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant community with residents who represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. King County is changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.
The County continues to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking, and continuous improvement. King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all of our residents, regardless of their race or income. All of these qualities make King County one of the nation's best places to live, work, and play.
King County provides a generous employee benefits package, including comprehensive health benefits, paid parental leave, and time to volunteer. For details, see:
https://www.kingcounty.gov/audience/employees/careers/why-work-here.aspx - Job Duties
1) Identify DCHS Policy Priorities
Lead the annual process to solicit and finalize top state and federal legislative priorities for DCHS—- work with the Department Director and Division Directors to identify top federal and state budget and policy priorities for the Department,
- work with relevant programs and issue experts within the department to conduct research and analysis to inform the development of specific proposals,
- assess the viability of these priorities in the context of the broader legislative landscape. Identify short and long-term strategies to achieve policy goals, and
- work with key staff across the external affairs team to develop a communications strategy for external partners and policymakers about the top legislative priorities.
Recommend and coordinate proactive and reactive strategies to educate policymakers and other external partners regarding DCHS programs and policy priorities—- work in close alignment across the DCHS external affairs team, department divisions, and the government relations staff in the Office of the Executive to support and maintain high performance, functional relationships with elected officials and their staff and other key housing, and human service policy leaders,
- organize individual meetings, tours, briefings, and other events as needed,
- work with communications staff to prepare policy fact sheets, timelines, and other handouts for use by DCHS in educating policymakers and community partners, and
- in partnership with communications staff, lead coordination of policy fact sheets, timelines, and other handouts for educating policymakers and community partners, and
- organize internal and external stakeholder meetings convened by King County to address DCHS policy priorities.
Coordinate Department responses to active policy and programmatic discussions—- monitor the federal and state regulatory and legislative landscape to identify active issues of concern to DCHS. Create systems to keep relevant DCHS staff informed and appropriately engaged during fast moving legislative sessions,
- coordinate and prioritize opportunities to comment, testify or otherwise communicate about new and emerging issues and ongoing policy debates with direct impact and relevance to the mission of the Department,
- coordinate responses to inquiries from council members, other elected officials, and their staff, and
- coordinate meetings for department staff with councilmembers, other elected officials and their staff.
Coordinate with Department leadership and Executive Constantine's office to advance DCHS and Executive Office policy goals.- advise DCHS staff on how to advance their goals in political arena,
- provide broad perspective and historical context for decision making and strategic thinking, and
- track County legislative activity (including policy issues and budget processes) for DCHS-related issues and impacts.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Five or more years of experience working to advance federal, state, or local legislation, including but not limited to tracking and analyzing legislation, staffing an elected official, community organizing or lobbying.
- Master's Degree in public administration, human services, related field and/or equivalent education and experience.
- Two or more years working for an elected official or in a legislative environment.
- Demonstrated skill in effectively communicating complex information in a simple and straightforward manner.
- Demonstrated experience working effectively in a fast-paced, politically sensitive environment.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a team member.
- Commitment to furthering the County's efforts to pursue equity and social justice.
- Commitment to contributing to a respectful workplace that values the contributions and backgrounds of diverse individuals with varying opinions.
- Communication and/or related experience.
- Excellent written and public speaking skills.
- Decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Skills in resolving conflict, making decisions, solving problems, collaborating and negotiating.
- Experience translating complex subject matter and terminology into succinct, accessible information for elected officials.
- Ability to research and analyze.
- Skills in reading and interpreting programs, laws, regulations and guidelines written by federal, state and local agencies
- Experience working with local government,
- Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures for the King County, WA region,
- Experience working on human services issues, including behavioral health, affordable housing and homelessness and other related policy areas, and
- Experience working in the King County region.
- Supplemental Information
Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles--we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement
King County Executive Branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are the successful candidate for the position you applied for, the County will send you a conditional offer letter.
As a condition of employment, prior to a final offer of employment, you will be required to:- submit proof of vaccination, or
- have an approved request for medical or religious exemption and an approved accommodation. Philosophical, political, scientific, or sociological objections to vaccination will not be considered for an exemption or accommodation.
The Executive Branch includes employees in the Executive branch, the Assessor's Office, Elections, the King County Sheriff's Office, and the Executive Office.
King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.
To Apply
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Are you applying to this position as an eligible current or previous King County Employee Priority Placement Program Participant? Is this position the same or lower percentage of full-time when compared to the position held at the point of the notification of layoff? Do you possess the skills and abilities to qualify for this position?
- Yes, I was given a layoff notice from my role at King County and I am within two years of the effective date of my layoff. Additionally, the position I was laid off from was the same or a higher percentage of FT status when compared to this one.
- No.
02If you answered yes to the question above and you are applying for this position as a Priority Placement Participant, to be considered, you must provide the following three pieces of information in the space provided: 1. The title you held when you received your layoff notice 2. The department you worked in 3. The effective date of your layoff03Do you have two or more years working for an elected official or in a legislative environment?- Yes
- No
04Please describe your experiencing working to advance state, federal and/or local legislation. List the organization name and dates.05Please describe your experience and knowledge related to behavioral health, developmental disabilities, affordable housing, and other related human services issues.06Please provide a past example of how you applied an equity and social justice lens to achieve a policy goal.Required Question