Salary : $62,963.00 - $98,380.00 Annually
Location : Hastings, MN
Job Type : Full-Time
Job Number : 10803.25.001
Department : COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS ADMIN - 2060001
Opening Date : 01 / 17 / 2025
Closing Date : 2 / 3 / 2025 4 : 30 PM Central
General Description
POSTING TYPE : Open competitive
DEPARTMENT : County Administration
HOURS : Full-time
HIRING RANGE : $62,963- $70,834 / year (grade 107)
SALARY RANGE : $62,963- $98,380 / year
LOCATION : Hastings Administration Center
UNION : None
CLOSE DATE : 4 : 30 p.m. on 2 / 3 / 2025
Works under the supervision of the Communications and Public Affairs Director as part of the Communications and Public Affairs team. Coordinates Dakota County intergovernmental relations and legislative programs; performs related communication and public affairs duties as assigned.
Who We Are
Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values : Service, Integrity, People and Innovation.
Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in political science, public administration or related field.
- Associates Degree AND
- Two years of experience working on intergovernmental and legislative issues.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience to total four years. Experience must be related to intergovernmental and legislative issues.
PREFERRED EDUCATION BEYOND MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :
Knowledge of county government and responsibilities.Duties & Responsibilities
These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.
Work with the Communications and Public Affairs Director and team in the development and implementation of the county board's annual federal and state legislative platforms, including identification and analysis of county priorities for advocacy.Research and assess the policy impact of proposed legislation affecting the county in coordination with department staff. Prepare summaries, analyses, and updates of state or federal legislation that could impact Dakota County programs, services, and operations.In response to existing or proposed legislation, develop and present options for consideration by the county board and county leadership; carry out follow-up activities as directed; and write correspondence or testimony on federal or state legislation as it relates to the county board's legislative platform.Convene, facilitate, and participate in work teams that develop proposals or policy options related to legislation for the Dakota County Board of Commissioners, including directing efforts of staff from other county departments over whom there is no supervisory relationship.Coordinate communications with all county lobbying contractors. Develop and issue Request for Proposals to select lobbying firms. Assist in evaluating their performance and outcomes.Coordinate legislative meetings, including presentation of legislative priorities and virtual delegation meetings, and support planning of events recognizing legislative accomplishments.Serve as a resource to external organizations in the development of policy positions consistent with the interests of Dakota County.Coordinate the distribution of summaries of enacted legislation to county departments that have primary responsibility for implementation.Represent Dakota County at certain meetings with staff from other governmental entities and public and private organizations (i.e., Association of Minnesota Counties, National Association of Counties, and others).Maintain a current list of legislative and local government contact information.Prepare and distribute a weekly e-newsletter about county news to local city, school district and township leaders and the Chambers of Commerce.Assist the Communications and Public Affairs team with other projects, including the county newsletter, as assigned.Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment
Considerable ability to build relationships.Ability to coordinate activities of others.Considerable knowledge of strategic planning, analysis and data collection.Ability to organize work effectively and efficiently.Strong communication skills to effectively work with internal staff and external businesses, community agencies, and vendors.Ability to work effectively and diplomatically across all levels of the organization.Ability to work independently and collaboratively and to accomplish tasks with accuracy and attention to detail.Knowledge of county procedures, services, and policies.Advanced ability to use Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Outlook.Ability to manage time effectively, be detail oriented and adhere to deadlines.Work environment : work is primarily sedentary and is usually accomplished while incumbent is comfortably seated at a desk or table. There is some walking and some travel to meetings and conferences away from the regular place of work. Items carried typically include light objects such as briefcases, notebooks, work papers, or laptop. Lifting of moderately heavy objects is not normally required. No special physical effort is required to perform the work.
Benefits
Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefitsExcellent work-life balanceGenerous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each yearPension with a generous employer contributionAbility to work from home some of the timeSelection Process
You submit an online application that includes supplemental questionsWe assign you a score based on your qualificationsTop scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview considerationWe conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offerWe extend an offer and conduct background checksVisit our Benefits site for more information.
Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and / or match answers to the supplemental questions.Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.Identify how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Administration, or related fieldAssociate's degree AND two years of experience working on intergovernmental and legislative issuesAn equivalent combination of education and experience to total four years. Experience must be related to intergovernmental and legislative issuesNone of the abovePlease select the highest level of education completed or degree held as of January 1, 2025
High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalentProfessional / Technical Certificate equivalent to 1 year of full-time post secondary educationAssociate's DegreeBachelor's DegreeMaster's DegreeIf applicable, please indicate your master's degree program.
Public AdministrationPolitical ScienceRelatedN / AIf you selected "related" master's degree program, please list the program below.
Do you have local government experience such as an internship, practicum, or employment with a local government agency?
If you selected yes, please briefly describe your local government experience.
Check all that apply
I have Direct Microsoft Office 365 work experience that includes ExcelI have Direct Microsoft Office 365 work experience that includes AccessI have Direct Microsoft Office 365 work experience that includes PowerPointI have direct experience with Desktop publishingI do not have any experience, but am willing to learnAre you familiar with the legislative process at the Minnesota Capital?
If yes to the question above, tell us where you gained this experience, your job title and the length of this experience.
Do you know how to track bills?
What do you hope to achieve in this Fellowship?
Describe your analytical skill set; what tools do you use to analyze data and / or other information?
If selected for this position, what would be your minimum acceptable salary?
Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.
FacebookFriend, Family or ColleagueInDeedJob Fair or Dakota County EventJob Interest e-mails from Dakota CountyJobsInMinneapolis / StPaulLeague of Minnesota CitiesLinkedInMinneapolis Diversity.comMinnesota Diversity.comMinnesota Works WebsiteMinnesota Jobs Network.comMinnesota Association of CountiesMonsterProfessional Association WebsiteReferred by a Dakota County EmployeeSt Paul Diversity.comCollege Website, Instructor, Career ServicesDakota County WebsiteOtherIf you selected Other, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.
Required Question
Salary : $62,963 - $98,380
