The National Association of Counties (NACo), representing America's 3,069 county governments with 40,000 elected officials, 3.6 million county employees and more than $660 billion in annual community-based investments, is seeking an Associate Legislative Director to work with the Environment, Energy and Land Use (EELU) policy advocacy portfolio. The position requires knowledge and understanding of environment, energy and land use issues affecting local governments and requires the ability to develop and maintain effective contacts with federal government officials, Members of Congress and their staffs, and other executives and lobbyists working for public interest organizations.
Position Responsibilities and Activities
Develops and implements legislative and advocacy strategies on issues falling within the relevant sections of the American County Platform;
Serves as the lead lobbyist on county-related issues on air, water, energy, and land use, including water resources/management, stormwater, pesticides, air quality standards, climate change, solid, hazardous, and nuclear waste handling, transport, and disposal, national energy policy, renewable/alternative energy, alternative fuel vehicles, energy facility siting, electricity utility restructuring, pipeline safety, oil spills, superfund/brownfields, eminent domain, land use, coastal management, oceans, parks and recreation;
Creates timely and effective advocacy campaigns to educate Congress, agencies, outside groups, and NACo members on issues impacting county governments by utilizing grassroots networks, coordinating fly-ins and building coalitions and partnerships;
Drafts and analyzes bills, writes Congressional testimony and letters; attends meetings and mark-ups;
Works with federal agencies on regulatory issues; attends agency meetings, reviews and submits comments on proposed regulations;
Relates legislative information to county officials, writes testimony for presentation at congressional hearings, attends mark-ups, and works as liaison with public interest groups to coordinate efforts and build support;
Works with federal agencies to implement programs once legislation is enacted;
Attends agency meetings and reviews implementing regulations to ensure county input;
Acts as staff liaison to NACo's Energy, Environment, and Land Use Steering Committee plans and organizes meetings of the committee, provides information and guidance to the committee on legislation within its functional area of responsibility, issues regular updating reports to the committee on pending legislation, arranges speaking engagements for committee members and provides supporting information as necessary;
Interacts with NACo membership, state associations, and affiliates on Congressional and federal agency proposals relevant to counties through oral and written mediums, fact sheets, presentations, briefings, research activities and interactions with the press;
Coordinates with other relevant NACo lobbyists and/or NACo departments to coordinate lobbying strategies and educational opportunities on NACo legislative priorities;
Assists in preparing for and conducting meetings and seminars held in conjunction with NACo conferences; and
Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Bachelor's degree plus three years' progressively responsible experience in a legislative or advocacy-related position, or a master's degree plus two years' progressive experience, or five years of related experience;
Experience working with federal agencies and congressional offices is strongly preferred;
Thorough knowledge of intergovernmental relations and functions of government at all levels;
Detailed knowledge of county structure and government;
A team player that is self-motivated, creative, and innovative;
Excellent oral and written communication skills;
Strong advocacy skills and good political judgment; and
Sensitivity and tact in dealing with others.
Working Conditions
Hybrid work schedule is available
Some travel required
Tagged as: Law/Policy
