What are the responsibilities and job description for the Government Affairs, Policy and Communications Manager position at Mac's List?

Salary : $139,621.50 - $192,717.00 Annually

Location : Redmond, WA

Job Type : Regular

Remote Employment : Flexible / Hybrid

Job Number : 24-00401

Department : Community Development

Division : CD Housing / ARCH

Opening Date : 01 / 13 / 2025

Closing Date : 2 / 10 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Pacific

Come Join the City of Bellevue!

Please fill out your application as fully as possible. The City evaluates candidates based on the information provided in the online application only. Do not submit resumes and cover letters. Read the "Hiring Process" section below to learn more.

Job Summary

The Government Affairs, Policy and Communications Manager is a senior leadership role, reporting to the Executive Director. The ideal candidate will have a passion for affordable housing policy, a strategic mindset, and a love of working with both internal and external stakeholders to fulfill communications, legislative and intergovernmental initiatives to further ARCH's mission. The position will serve as a policy and government affairs advisor responsible for implementing state and regional policy and funding strategies, including facilitating an annual process to set ARCH legislative priorities focused on creating more affordable housing faster. The position will also lead ARCH's communications strategy and deepen its connections to diverse stakeholders including program participants, community members, and the development community. This will include expanding ARCH's focus on education and engagement to ensure that elected and appointed leaders from ARCH member jurisdictions have the tools to advance shared policy goals. The position will work collaboratively with ARCH and member jurisdiction staff and may have supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Policy and Government Affairs :

Lead and coordinate annual engagement efforts with ARCH elected and appointed officials and staff, including educational and communications events
Provide expertise in affordable housing policy and help advise ARCH members
Convene ARCH coalition members to develop targeted legislative priorities related to funding for affordable housing and reducing barriers to affordable housing development
Collaborate with ARCH members' government relations and other key personnel to support implementation of identified legislative priorities, including coordination of advocacy efforts, informing strategy and coordinating with relevant partners
Monitor and analyze legislative activity, including rules, bills, and laws relevant to ARCH priorities and programs
Draft policy recommendations and talking points that support ARCH coalition priorities

Communications :

Lead the development of the overall ARCH communication plan and key messages; provide training and support to staff in order to ensure consistent, accurate messaging

Provide strategic communications support for ARCH members regarding public policy issues

Develop and implement communications plans for projects, programs, initiatives, and events, and recommend methods and techniques for implementation

Create external facing ARCH materials for a variety of audiences including elected officials, community members ARCH serves, etc. Materials include annual reports, presentations, and program information

Write, edit, and proofread content for ARCH's communications channels. Examples include website and social media content, program promotional and educational materials, video, flyers, and press releases

Prepare and make presentations to city councils and other audiences

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in public policy, public administration, or related field.

A minimum of five years of experience in policy, government affairs and communications working on affordable housing, urban planning or related issuesDirect experience working on state, federal, and / or local legislative policy is a plus

Ability to assess and summarize complex policy proposals, laws, and regulations

Experience communicating complex subject matter and terminology into succinct, accessible information for elected officials and members of the public

Skill in effective, clear and persuasive oral and written communications to individuals and groups

Ability to develop and maintain productive relationships with elected officials, community leaders, advisory boards, the news media, and the general public

Understanding of political environments and sensitivities, and ability to function effectively within that environment

Success in developing and implementing communications plans for small and large-scale projects

Demonstrated experience working effectively in a fast-paced, politically sensitive environment.

Commitment to racial equity and social justice

Supplemental Information

Flexible / Hybrid Working :

A hybrid work schedule is available for this position after an orientation period working in the office after hire. Remote work for this position is subject to 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 ARCH offices.

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 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.

Please be sure to check your junk folder for any messages that may be sent to you about this recruitment.

The City of Bellevue offers employees a comprehensive benefits package providing choice, flexibility, and value!

Please Note : Seasonal, part-time, and variable employees are not eligible for the below benefits except for mandatory participation in the retirement plan assigned to the position, which will be the Municipal Employees Benefit Trust (MEBT 2) retirement plan or the Washington State Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) retirement plan and any other benefits as required by law.

The following summary applies to fully benefited positions :

Medical

Employees are offered a choice of medical coverage through the City's self-insured Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan or Kaiser Permanente (HMO).

Dental

Employees are offered a choice of two dental carriers with plans that offer regular checkups, x-rays, fillings, and crowns. Orthodontia is available through one of the carriers.

Vision

Employees are offered a choice of vision coverage through an annual exam-only plan or a buy-up plan which includes an annual eye exam and hardware coverage.

Retirement Plans - Employees are offered three retirement plans :

Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) : Mandatory participation (PERS, LEOFF or PSERS), depending upon eligibility.

City of Bellevue Municipal Employee's Benefit Trust (MEBT) : Optional participation in this 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer match contributions that vest on a 3-year schedule.

Deferred Compensation Program (457 DCP) : Optional participation in the supplemental Deferred Compensation Program also administered by DRS that allows tax-deferred savings into a variety of investments options.

Other benefits include :

More detailed information about our employee benefits is available at

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Life / Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

Long Term Disability (LTD)

Survivor Income

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

11 observed holidays per year plus 2 additional personal holidays, vacation (standard accrual of 12 days a year), and sick leave (accumulated at the rate of one day per month)

An ORCA Card bus pass

On-site fitness center, and self service food / coffee options

Career development and training programs

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)

Paydays - The City of Bellevue pays employees on the 8th and the 23rd of each month (24 pay periods per year).

Please note that the City does not participate in the Social Security Administration (SSA) program, and employees do not earn social security credits. The mandatory DRS retirement pension plan provides the required social security replacement plan. Any social security benefits earned at other places of employment may be reduced because they are subject to the Windfall Elimination Provision or the Government Pension Offset.

NOTE : This is a brief summary of the benefit programs for the City's non-represented employees. Every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. Benefits for employees represented by a may have different benefits. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a CBA, the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.

Please write a cover letter and copy it below, making sure to remove your name and any other personal identifiers.

Briefly describe one critical housing policy issues facing state or local governments in Washington state, and what solutions you would recommend to address this issue.

Do you have direct experience working with elected officials on challenging public policy issues? If so, please describe your role and any significant outcomes from this work.

What techniques have you used to effectively communicate complex issues to diverse audiences? Please share at least one specific example.

Please provide a minimum of two references.

Required Question

Salary : $139,622 - $192,717

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