Government Relations Director

The American Public Power Association (APPA) serves as the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide. We represent public power before the federal government to protect the interests of the more than 54 million people that public power utilities serve, and the 96,000 people they employ. We advocate and advise on electricity policy, technology, trends, training, and operations. Help us continue to achieve our mission for our members and the communities they serve!

At APPA, we strive to hire the very best and are committed to creating exceptional employee experiences where everyone is respected and feels valued. As a mission-driven organization, we have an exciting opportunity for a Government Relations Director to represent community-owned electric utilities in communities ranging from the largest cities to the smallest rural towns and villages.

About the role

This is a hybrid position which requires the incumbent to reside in the Washington, DC metropolitan area and come into the office a minimum of two to three days each week (with Tuesdays being a mandatory day). The utility sector is fast-changing with an increasing number of issues having national ramifications, offering the opportunity to tackle challenges ranging from small-but-critical to some of the most salient facing our nation.

Responsibilities

• Advocate APPA’s views on assigned portfolio of issues impacting public power utilities, which may include a variety of energy-related issues including generation, environment, and financial policies, depending on organizational needs and candidate expertise.
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with members of Congress and their staff, as well as committee staff.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory activities of interest to APPA members.
• Brief APPA committees and communicate with members on legislative and administrative issues.
• Attend congressional and executive branch hearings and meetings.
• Strategically seek and create opportunities to advance APPA objectives.
• Draft legislation, amendments, and other legislative material as required.
• Draft speeches, statements, position papers, and correspondence, as appropriate.
• Represent APPA at meetings of outside groups and coalitions.
• Speak at APPA member meetings on legislative and political issues.
• Support APPA’s political engagement, including attendance at events on behalf of APPA’s political action committee.
• Conceive and develop program topics for APPA workshops and conferences, including Legislative Rally, National Conference, and utility education courses.
• Identify and anticipate legislative and regulatory activities of interest to APPA’s members.
• Develop, direct, and advise APPA and member executives on strategies to achieve policy objectives.
• Coordinate activities with Regulatory Affairs, Communications, Technical & Operations Services, and other APPA departments.
• Coordinate and direct APPA’s working groups and task forces, as appropriate.
• Speak on behalf of the association to the media, as appropriate.

Requirements

• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college or university with coursework in related disciplines such as communications or political science.
• 5 to 7 years of relevant job experience; preferably congressional or regulatory experience.
• Knowledge of and thorough understanding of Congress, the legislative process, and government relations.
• Background in energy policy and strong familiarity with issues that impact the electric utility industry.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and outgoing personality, and an ability to work with a team and independently to achieve APPA’s advocacy goals.
• Ability to articulately and effectively communicate and advocate, both orally and in writing, APPA policies and positions to a variety of audiences including members of Congress, congressional staff, and executive agencies.
• Ability to develop, coordinate, and execute legislative and regulatory activities, such as legislation and amendments in Congress and regulations, policies, and processes with federal agencies.
• Ability to work flexible hours, and able to manage competing deadlines and prioritizing work objectives in area of expertise with minimal supervision.
• Sound judgment and sharp critical thinking skills – the ability to weigh the pros and cons of a particular issue area or situation and diplomatically – but clearly – communicate APPA’s positions to stakeholders.
• Travel out of town up to 5% of the year to support APPA’s conferences, events, and meetings.
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing and extensive walking during conferences and meetings.
• Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs.

Pay

$145,000.00 to $158,000.00 per year