Federal and International Relations Policy Advisor

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Job Summary

Bellevue collaborates with other governments to achieve shared goals, such as increasing affordable housing, expanding infrastructure to support growth, and protecting the environment.

This position would support Bellevue’s Intergovernmental Relations staff team in service to the City Council and city leadership at the federal and international level. This position will provide strategic direction and decision-making related to investments, policy development, intergovernmental initiatives and political positioning. Represents the city regionally, nationally and internationally with regards to policy initiatives.

This is a full-time, permanent position.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• In consultation and coordination with the Assistant Director for Intergovernmental Relations and contracted lobbyists, build and maintain critical relationships with elected officials and staff at the highest levels in the federal government.
• Work with elected officials, staff, agencies, contracted lobbyists and associations to research and assess federal policy development and identify emerging issues that the City may need to address or that favorably impact the City.
• Coordinate the communication and analysis of federal legislation or policy that may affect the City; ensure that legislation or policy is responded to in a timely manner and the City's position is clearly defined. Recommend and implement strategies to ensure City needs are met.
• Develop an annual Federal Legislative Agenda and a long-term policy framework for federal positioning and achievement of the City's vision.
• Help to advance Bellevue at the international level through legislative activity and diplomatic protocol to implement the strategic direction of Bellevue’s foreign affairs strategy.
• Serve as the coordinator of visits from international delegations and support the Mayor, City Council, and other City officials’ international trips.
• Develop materials for advocacy, discussion, or presentation on federal or international issues, including coordinating City positions.
• Coordinate meetings and briefings with partner agencies and policy makers as needed.
• Advocate the City's position to other governmental bodies and agencies and to the public. Represent the City by participating in legislative, advocacy, and partner meetings or forums.
• Assist across the Intergovernmental Relations team with state, federal, and regional advocacy to ensure the Council priorities and the City's vision are adequately addressed at the appropriate levels of government.
• Assist in the preparation of grant funding applications and understand grant funding resource materials and publications.
• Evaluate and monitor projects for federal, state and regional funding opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director for Intergovernmental Relations to support the work of the City Council and City Manager’s Office.

Supervision Received and Exercised:

• Works under the general supervision of a director or assistant director.
• No formal supervisory responsibilities but may act as lead to staff across departments

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of city's mission, vision, strategic direction, goals, objectives, core values, policies, procedures, priorities and departmental operations. Understanding of City operations, budgetary concepts, and policy objectives.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of modern public administration and policy development. Extensive knowledge of federal, local and regional issues impacting programs and operations.
• Skill in identifying emerging issues, developing and implementing new approaches; ability to anticipate and resolve problems before a crisis ensues.
• Strong ability to maintain confidences and routinely handle extremely sensitive and political information; skills in human relations, diplomacy, tact and negotiating.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, community leaders, advisory boards, the news media, and the general public.
• Understanding of the City's political environment and sensitivities. Knowledge and understanding of the organizational environment and political climate when taking actions, making recommendations and communicating with associates and individuals outside of the City organization.
• Skill in researching complex issues and developing recommended actions; ability to conduct complex administrative studies. Ability to prepare informative reports and deliver persuasive, succinct presentations to senior management and elected officials as required.
• Skill in effective, clear and persuasive oral and written communications to individuals and groups. Clearly and persuasively convey timely information to positively influence others within and outside of the utility regarding the communicated messages.
• Ability to listen to, and be respectful of, diverse perspectives and policy needs. Actively work to incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion approaches to policy development work and special projects.
• Actively build team cohesion with both internal staff and external partners by creating a cooperative and productive work environment and promoting inclusion and professionalism.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Five or more years of progressively responsible related experience in public policy issues or public administration.
• Or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Current and valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain one, preferred.

Supplemental Information

Physical Demands:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work involves reaching, moving, communicating, operating objects, tools, or controls.
• Vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee may be required transport, position, install and/or move objects up to 25 pounds.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office or moderately loud when in the field.
• Travel may be required to perform duties of this position.

Flexible/Hybrid Working:

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position following an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to the department's operational needs and will be discussed with candidates during the selection process. Full-time remote work is not an available option. Once hired, employees must reside in the State of Washington and within reasonable commuting distance to Bellevue City Hall.

HIRING PROCESS
The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. To evaluate all candidates fairly and equitably, the City will make all applicants anonymous when we are screening the applications. We will redact information from our application such as your name, address, and other demographics. To help us, please complete the online application form as fully as possible.

• Answer the Supplemental Questions when requested which can be found on the Questions tab of the Job posting.
• We do not accept resumes and cover letters during the anonymous application screening stage, unless otherwise stated in the job description.
• Applicants advancing to the next stage may be required to provide a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and references.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• All candidates will be required to establish employment authorization and identity at the time of hire. The City is not able to sponsor work visas.
• All positions require the completion of references checks, including at least one prior supervisor.
• Some positions may require completion of a criminal background check prior to start employment
• Some positions may require obtaining a commercial driver's license (CDL), licensures, or additional certifications.

At the City of Bellevue, you'll be part of a team committed to providing exceptional customer service, upholding the public interest and advancing the community vision. The six essential and enduring principles that guide our individual actions, our interactions, and our decision making in the City of Bellevue organization is: Exceptional Public Service, Stewardship, Commitment to Employees, Integrity, Innovation, and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. You'll work in an environment that is innovative, collaborative, future focused, and committed to excellence. Bellevue welcomes the world. Our diversity is our strength. We embrace the future while respecting our past. It's what makes the City of Bellevue an exciting place to work, live, and explore.

Have we piqued your interest yet? Come join our team! The City of Bellevue supports workplace diversity. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, genetic information, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected status. Persons needing assistance with the application process may call the Human Resources Office, at 425-452-6838 or recruiting@bellevuewa.gov. If you are invited to participate in the selection process and need ADA accommodations, please notify HR before you are scheduled for an interview or testing.

The City of Bellevue participates in the E-Verify program. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

For any technical difficulties with your application, please contact the NEOGOV support line at 855-524-5627.

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