Federal Relations Assistant

About the role

The Federal Relations Assistant provides administrative and operational support for the Washington, DC-based Office of Federal Relations, reporting to the Senior Director of Federal Relations. The Office of Federal Relations advocates on federal policies and issues that affect the university, facilitates congressional and administration meetings for university administrators, faculty and staff, coordinates issue briefings for members of congress and their staff, and serves as a liaison between the University and the federal government.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative support to the Office of Federal Relations and coordinate closely with the Office of the Vice Chancellor for University Relations on administrative matters
• Serve as a point of contact for internal and external inquiries related to federal relations activities
• Support the Senior Director of Federal Relations and Director of Federal Relations in scheduling meetings, maintaining calendars, and coordinating appointments with congressional offices, federal agencies and others
• Arrange travel, manage expenditures and reimbursements, and make purchases for the Senior Director and Director
• Maintain files, databases and documentation related to federal relations activities and communications
• Support the preparation of briefing documents, policy summaries, legislative updates and similar materials
• Ensure the timely filing of federal lobbying disclosure reports, including the collection and organization of relevant information from Office of Federal Relations staff as well as outside lobbyists
• Assist in coordinating meetings, campus visits, and events involving federal officials and staff
• Track federal legislation and issues, as directed by the Senior Director and Director

Requirements

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Experience and competency with standard office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite, email/calendar platforms)
• Experience coordinating complex scheduling (e.g., meetings, travel, or calendar management)
• Associate's Degree required

Qualifications

• Prior employment or internship experience with a congressional office or federal agency, or with an entity that advocates regularly with the federal government
• Experience with the federal lobbying disclosure reporting process
• Familiarity with federal issues impacting higher education
• Familiarity with UW–Madison
• Bachelor's Degree preferred

Pay

The target pay range for this position is $55,000–$60,000 annual ($26.45–$28.85 per hour). Actual pay will depend on the selected candidate’s qualifications.

Benefits

This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid-time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

Schedule

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) position based in the Office of Federal Relations' Washington, DC office. The position can accommodate a hybrid schedule, with a preference for at least 3 days on-site, and with additional on-site work required in certain periods based on the needs of the office. Expectations regarding on-site vs. remote work are negotiable.