Government Affairs Specialist

Responsibilities

The Government Affairs Specialist role is responsible for the support of public policy under the direction of the Economic Development and External Relations Division Director The primary duty of a Government Affairs Specialist is to follow, examine and recommend policy initiatives related to OPPD's business matters, and provide detailed reports about how the policy will influence the OPPD's operations. This role works in close coordination with the Government Relations Manager and team involving the District's Federal and State legislative and government affairs. Policy work will range from local, state and federal public policy. The State and Federal Government Affairs Specialist will collaborate with multiple business units and departments to support continued research into existing and future policy needs. Conduct research to support the identification and prioritization policy initiatives and provide benchmarking within and across industries.

• Support and develop external relationships, communications and influence
• Maintain close and productive relationships with state and Congressional governmental officials and their staffs to ensure good communication to contribute to the achievement of appropriate legislation and to provide necessary feedback on proposed
• Maintains close and productive relationships with public power districts, municipal electric systems, and industry organizations, both within and outside of Nebraska to achieve a unified position on legislative and regulatory issues of mutual interest.
• Influence/educate political decisions in support of OPPD/Industry strategies.
• Actively participates in a variety of community, business and industry groups and organizations.
• Attend evening meetings, hearings and events involving the state legislature.
• Attend trips, events involving the federal level, as needed.
• Travel required throughout the year.
• Review all policies related to OPPD business matters.
• Review and evaluate policies and legislation to determine the benefits and impact of any changes that may occur.
• Conduct research and meet with key stakeholders.
• Contact outside experts to request additional information
• Identify positive elements as well as any flaws to the legalities of a particular policy.
• Examine the effects of current policies and government programs, such as whether a new policy would have a positive impact on OPPD and whether it would help achieve certain goals.
• Communicate to customers and stakeholders OPPD's business objectives.
• Share detailed reports on how policies will influence OPPD's operations.
• Gather and report on both quantitative and qualitative data, analyzing it for any trends or important information that may be useful in formulating new policies.
• Formulate reports that condense and summarize information and display key evidence for stakeholders to review.
• Establish a system for cataloging, organizing, storing, and updating policy files and data.
• Assure the overall quality of documents and data through the documentation of sources.
• Collaborate with multiple business units and departments to support continued research into existing and future policy needs.
• Plan, develop, coordinate and execute research projects to meet the needs of the department, and in conjunction with other departments within OPPD.
• Assist the Government Relations Department with maintaining the federal legislative tracking grid.
• Identify the need for additional information on a tracked bill, perform additional research, and create status updates.
• Attend local, state and federal meetings and hearings as necessary.
  
  

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in business, economics, marketing, business analytics, political science or related field OR five (5) years relevant business support and/or general analysis experience
• Five (5) years of experience with local, state and federal public policy
• Strong analytical and data analysis skills
• Effective communication skills
• Ability to create reports and recommendations based on data trends
• Strong organizational skills
• Detail-oriented when completing in-depth projects
• Data manipulation and visualization via Excel or other tools
• Problem solver; self-starter; high degree of creativity
  
  

Desired:

• Knowledge of federal, state, and local economic development/business assistance resources, government relations, operations, influence and advocacy
• Experience in government affairs advocacy
• Utility experience
• JD or master's degree
• Project management experience
  
  

Closing Statement

Salary Grade: S4

Base: $86,386

Midpoint: $107,982

At Omaha Public Power District, we're passionate about three things: power, the people who make it, and the people who rely on it.

WE ARE: Where the Light Starts. OPPD is the 12th-largest public power utility in the U.S., serving over 850,000 people across 5,000 square miles and 13 counties.

WE'RE COMMITTED TO: Each other and the people we serve. This commitment drives us. We're dedicated to providing our communities with affordable, reliable, and environmentally sensitive energy services today, tomorrow, and well into the future.

OUR JOB: To provide power with a purpose. We have real impact - on people's lives, on the environment, and on the future of energy. We're always looking for bright, capable people who want an opportunity to lead from where you are, wherever you are, and know that your ideas will be heard. If you want to be a source of real, positive change for the community and the people who live in this region, then working for a company acknowledged for caring about these same things is likely a priority for you as well.

Org Marketing Statement

EOE: Protected Veterans/Disability

How To Apply

Apply online at www.oppd.com on or before 10/24/2024.

Recruiter: Scott Green - smgreen@oppd.com

• PLEASE NOTE** - Your application has not been submitted unless you have applied for a specific requisition. If you have not chosen a specific opening, your application will remain in 'DRAFT' form and will not be viewed by our Human Capital staff.