Legislative Liaison (Management Analyst IV)

Join the Fairfax County Government Relations office! Since 1988, the Fairfax County Government Relations team has been representing the county at the state and federal level.  The team serves as a trusted resource and advocate, support, and guide helping Fairfax County achieve One Fairfax and advancing community wellbeing.  

The Government Relations office is seeking an experienced government affairs professional with extensive experience in local government policy issues and demonstrated success in legislative advocacy at either the state or federal levels. Along with the legislative director, this staff is responsible for the development and implementation of the Board of Supervisors' state and federal legislative programs. Additional duties include coordinating information between congressional and state delegation offices for analysis, testimony, visits by governing body members or executive staff, or similar activities. This position is expected to successfully resolve problems in a team-based environment, balance multiple priorities and tasks to meet established deadlines, and perform duties under limited supervision. 

Further duties include:

• Along with the director, provides ongoing legislative advice and updates to relevant county staff on critical legislative developments, ensuring that all parties are informed and able to respond to emerging legislative issues in a timely manner.
• Along with the director, advises the Board and county department directors on all matters pertaining to the Virginia General Assembly, leading the development of the county’s legislative strategy.
• Represents the county at the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia and testifies before various committees and subcommittees of the state legislature.
• Represent the county’s interests in meetings, hearings, and discussions with state and federal stakeholders.
• Coordinates with senior leadership to assess the policy impact of, and response to, proposed legislation affecting the county in coordination with county agencies.
• Researches, analyzes and evaluates issues and prepares reports on all assigned federal and state legislation or studies, to provide recommendations and guidance for consideration by the Board.
• Provides detailed information on the county’s position regarding pending legislation and works closely with legislators to ensure that state laws are consistent with county policies whenever possible.

The successful candidate must possess:

• Ability to foster partnerships with other local governments, municipal associations, and regional organizations to support shared legislative goals.
• Extensive knowledge of how to promote legislative or public policy interests with legislative and/or executive officials.
• Knowledge of how to assess operational or fiscal aspects of public policy issues.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, regional and/or local legislative processes, including structure and operation.
• Ability to work with diverse groups, with competing interests to develop collaborative positions, and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to conduct high quality, detailed work in a fast-paced environment on short timeframes.
• Experience crafting clear communications for different audiences.

NOTE: The assigned functional areas for the position are: public policy, communications, and government affairs.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

Directs and manages long-term, large-scale, high-priority, sensitive programs/projects that are multi-disciplinary and involve multiple agencies;
Manages a group of professionals engaged in diverse administrative and management support activities;
Directs research and evaluation of trends in applicable areas of responsibility;
Develops long- and short-term goals, objectives and solutions for division;
Interfaces with central County staff departments (such as DMB, DHR, Finance, Purchasing and Supply Management) for seamless collaboration;
Provides consultation on strategic planning, organizational development and redesign projects;
Prepares for and presents to County Board of Supervisors (or Committee) regarding areas of expertise and responsibility.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list).

Extensive knowledge of the mission, goals, objectives, funding sources, organizational structure, workload, and staffing of the organizational unit or program to which incumbent is assigned;
Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques relating to the functional area of business operation;
Extensive knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements governing application of program funding, execution of program activities, and achievement of program outcomes;
Knowledge of the legislative and executive decision making processes;
Knowledge of the project management life cycle and its supporting phases;
Ability to identify organizational problems, evaluate possible solutions, and select and implement the most advantageous course of action;
Ability to identify and determine appropriate methods for gathering data;
Ability to make oral presentations to department management, other departments, or the public;
Ability to write detailed, accurate reports, grants, or solicitations for pertinent areas of administration;
Ability to manage professional and paraprofessional employees including coaching, counseling, training, and evaluation.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in fields related to the assigned functional areas; PLUS Five years of professional work experience within more than one of the assigned functional areas.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Lobbyist (state or federal registration. State registration within 90 days' start of employment.)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.
• This position requires extensive travel. Due to the nature of the facility's operations and the responsibilities associated with the position, this position requires extensive travel during the General Assembly session to Richmond, VA, potentially on a weekly basis. Additional statewide travel is required to cover statewide events.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain collaborative and effective working relationships with Fairfax County staff, elected and appointed officials, regional and state transportation agency representatives, citizens, and other stakeholders
• Experience with state level elected officials, local and state governments, boards, authorities, commissions, and transportation agencies, including working with elected and appointed officials.
• At least four years of experience administering/coordinating the following: reviewing legislation, planning events, proofreading documents, drafting correspondence, position papers, memoranda, legislative advocacy, and staff supervision. 
• Working knowledge and experience of state/local government as well as federal.
• Excellent written and oral communication and organizational skills.
• Strong interpersonal, analytical, organizational, and time management skills
• Ability to learn new information quickly and synthesize it into understandable talking points.
• Working knowledge of local land use issues, taxation, environment, energy, public safety, human services, FOIA (Freedom of Information Act), technology, labor, and/or federal interaction at local level.
• Proficient with software applications: Microsoft office, Publisher, and Canva.
• Experience utilizing a database management software.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Duties are generally sedentary; ability to stand, stoop, bend, stretch, walk, climb, sit, type on a keyboard, and lift up to 20 pounds. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity. 

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [email protected] EEO/AA/TTY.

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