Job Title: Vice President of Government Relations

Department: Administration

Reports To: President/CEO

Supervises: Director, Strategic Initiatives (GOTNV)

FLSA Status: Exempt

Pay Grade: Executive

Job Type: Full-Time, Regular

AKBCU: No ICPA: No

General Functions:

Under the direction of the President/CEO, the Vice President of Government Relations provides support, oversight, and leadership for the organization’s government relations strategy and activities, and serves as a liaison to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with both governmental and non-governmental agencies. 

Leadership: As an active member of the President’s Council, the VP of Government Relations is expected to provide the highest level of leadership and performance and provide the CEO with strategic support. Leadership requires embodying and modeling CITC’s values in all aspects of work, demonstrating a deeply held belief in the endless potential of Our People, embodying a deep commitment to our mission and vision, and adhering to CITC’s core principles.

Performance: In order to be successful in this position, the VP of Government Relations must: 1) embody and model the highest levels of organizational, and work-related knowledge and skills; 2) exhibit a high-level of job competence and the effective on-going fulfillment of job responsibilities; 3) regularly achieve goals; 4) develop legal structures and implement the strategic business legal direction from the President and CEO. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Advises and participates in regional, statewide, and national organizations, commissions, work groups, task forces, and other groups.
• Builds and maintains professional relationships with members of federal, state, and local government entities and agencies and coordinates site visits and similar events.
• Responsible for communicating the benefits and drawbacks of existing and upcoming laws, policies and regulations, and state and federal legislation.
• Provides research and technical assistance with government relations, media outreach, and coalition building of CITC's family of organizations' issues and concerns in support of CITC's mission and vision. 
• Collaborates with leadership to strategically plan for known and potential government actions and regulatory activities, which includes assessing the ability to influence, prioritize issues, craft arguments, and propose solutions.
• Collaborates with community partners to build areas of common interest and support.
• Prepares comment letters, consultation comments, talking points, and background documents regarding pertinent issues, including testimony on pending legislation before Congressional committees.
• Introduces legislative and public policy changes that will support CITC operations.
• Analyzes existing statutes/regulations and proposed legislation and regulations to determine the need for advocacy.
• Determines appropriate advocacy avenues with the President’s Council.
• Reviews public comment letters from other entities.
• Researches and drafts legislative alerts and memoranda on federal legislation and proposed administrative rules and regulations that affect major areas of concern for Alaska Native people and CITC.
• Develops supporting materials and documentation for policy positions.
• Attends local, state, and federal meetings and hearings.

Job Specifications:

• Strong strategic level leadership, organizational, analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
• Committed to achieving results under demanding time limits.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership to assigned staff (as applicable) and to foster a cooperative environment.
• Strong and innovative staff development and performance management skills.
• Delegates work assignments, gives authority to work independently, sets expectations and monitors delegated activities.
• High level of planning/organization to prioritize work activities and realistic action plans.
• High level of quality management, continuous improvement and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Excellent verbal and written communications and presentation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, research and negotiation skills.
• Established government contacts at local, state, and federal levels.
• Demonstrated understanding of Federal and State Legislative procedures, including authorization and appropriations processes.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA); Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; 477 legislation and other publicly funded services pertaining to the Alaska Native and American Indian peoples..

Minimum Core Competencies: CITC Values, Respectful Leadership, Professionalism, Emotional Intelligence, Problem Solving/Critical Thinking, Communication Skills.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in Political Science, Economics, Public Affairs, Political Communications, Health Care Administration, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business, Rural Development, Social Services, or other specialized study of Indian Law, Health Law, Rural Development, or similar field. Relevant experience may substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
• Ten years’ equivalent experience in legislative affairs, preferably either on legislative staff of an elected official, legislative committee, or in the government relations office of an industry or non-profit. 

Disclaimer

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job. It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job. Management has sole discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time. This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.