Legislative Liaison

About the role

Mines is pleased to announce the creation and opening of a new position in the Office of Public Affairs and External Relations. The Legislative Liaison serves as the university’s primary staff lead for state government relations, coordinating and managing legislative engagement, and supporting the execution of the institution’s state advocacy and outreach strategy.

Responsibilities

• Manage and coordinate, in partnership with external government affairs partners, engagement with the Colorado General Assembly and relevant executive‑branch agencies during the legislative session.
• Monitor, track, analyze, and summarize state legislation, budget actions, regulatory developments, and policy proposals affecting the university.
• Cook up institutional testimony, witness preparation, bill support or opposition materials, and legislative meetings.
• Prepare and distribute briefing materials, bill analyses, talking points, memos, and written updates for senior leadership and campus stakeholders.
• Provide policy research and operational support to inform the Executive Director’s review and institutional decision-making regarding positions on state legislation, policy proposals, and funding priorities.
• Advocate for policy and investment in higher education, science, engineering, innovation, training, and infrastructure aligned with institutional priorities.
• Track legislative outcomes and assess impacts, in coordination with government affairs partners, to help inform future advocacy strategies.
• Work closely with the Executive Director and campus partners to ensure alignment of local, state, and federal legislative priorities, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy across jurisdictions.
• Share legislative intelligence, policy analysis, and engagement outcomes across the university to support institutional planning and decision-making.
• Assist with federal relations activities as needed, including policy tracking, preparation of briefing materials, coordination of meetings or visits, and issue research.
• Build and maintain productive working relationships with state legislators, legislative staff, executive‑branch officials, and policy advisors.
• Support engagement with local and regional officials and community‑based organizations in coordination with the Office of Public Affairs & External Relations.
• Represent the university in meetings, briefings, hearings, coalitions, and external forums.
• Maintain situational awareness of political, policy, and budgetary dynamics to anticipate emerging issues and opportunities.
• Position the university as a trusted and preferred partner for state and regional government entities.
• Support engagement with industry partners, higher‑education associations, advocacy coalitions, and community organizations aligned with institutional goals.
• Partner across campus—including academic leadership, faculty experts, research administration, communications staff, and the Mines Foundation—to ensure coordinated engagement and consistent messaging.
• Plan and support legislative briefings, campus visits, tours, recognition events, and programs at the State Capitol and on campus.
• Engage faculty, staff, and students to inform, and when appropriate, participate in advocacy and governmental relations efforts.
• Maintain a visible and accessible campus presence to support relationship‑building and information sharing.
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to support advocacy‑related outreach and media coordination.
• Aid in drafting or reviewing content for social media, web updates, press materials, and digital communications related to public policy, government, and external engagement.
• Contribute to cross‑office initiatives and special projects within the Office of Public Affairs and External Relations as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in political science, public policy, public administration, communications, or a related field.
• 3 or more years of experience in legislative affairs, government relations, public policy, public relations, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of legislative and governmental processes; state government experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a dynamic political environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in State-level science, innovation, higher education, or research‑focused policy environments.
• Experience planning and supporting advocacy events, legislative briefings, or stakeholder engagement programs.
• Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, or a related field.

Core Competencies

• Policy analysis and strategic thinking.
• Relationship‑centered advocacy.
• Cross‑functional collaboration.
• Political acumen and sound judgment.
• Initiative, accountability, and follow‑through.
• Adaptability in evolving policy and political environments.

Salary and Benefits

$86,500 - $96,100 annual salary. Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position's scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options.
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution.
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents).
• Free RTD Ecopass.

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center.

For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

Contact Information

To apply, complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status), upload a resume or CV, and upload a cover letter. Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.