Executive Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

Role Overview

The Executive Director of Legislative & Intergovernmental Affairs leads IDEM's engagement with legislative and regulatory bodies, to protect state autonomy within a cooperative federalism framework and develop legislative strategy to support agency's operations, programs and long-term goals.

Objectives

• Monitor and analyze legislation and regulations at the state and federal levels to asses impact on agency operations
• Develop and communicate policy positions with various audiences including the General Assembly, Federal agencies, state agencies, and local government officials
• Prepare briefing, testimony, comment letters and memos for various audiences including Senior Leadership, Governor's office, General Assembly, Federal agencies, state agencies and local government agencies
• Prepare and oversee agency response to Federal laws and regulations pertaining to environmental policy
• Conduct research and provide recommendations on policy, rules or regulations
• Support long-term planning by integrating government affairs strategy into agency operations and initiatives
• Develop and execute comprehensive government relations strategies at the state, regional, and local levels
• Build and maintain strong relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, regulatory bodies, and community stakeholders
• Coordinate cross-functional efforts to communicate the agency's positions and priorities to external partners and internal leadership
• Supervise constituent correspondence and casework from legislative contacts and the public
• Advise the Commissioner, Chief of Staff, Chief of External Partner Services, and executive leadership on emerging political risks, opportunities, and strategic engagement
• Serve as a liaison between the agency and other State agencies, Federal agencies, internal leadership and stakeholders for communication, decision-making, training opportunities and escalation management

Salary

The salary for this position traditionally starts at $93,002.00 but may be commensurate with education and work experience.

Essential Functions

• Review and evaluate organizational effectiveness, goal determination, and strategic planning, etc., makes recommendations for improvement
• Develop and coordinate plans and policies, resources, and mission as well as goals, vision and expectations of agency or program
• Provide guidance to agencies and the public regarding applicable laws and rules
• Supervise subordinate personnel including hiring, determining workload, and delegating assignments, training, monitoring, and evaluating performance, and initiating corrective or disciplinary action
• Monitor agency or program budget including revenues, expenditures, and budget projections
• Communicate with news and other media. responds to media questions or requests in an appropriate public relations manner
• Coordinate with other government officials on planning issues (i.e. federal and/or state agency directors, etc.)
• Coordinate, review and evaluate the use of appropriate controls and standards for the agency

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices
• Extensive knowledge of State programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation
• Ability to develop and/or measure program outcomes
• Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships with key public and private government and business leaders
• Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations
• Ability to work with internal and external customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, establish credibility, and influence leaders at all levels
• Make sound, well-informed, and objective decisions. Perceives the impact and implications of decisions
• Ability to identify problems. determine accuracy and relevance of information, and to use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations

Supervisory Responsibilities

This role may provide direct supervision for one or more staff members.

Benefits

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access