What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legislative Liaison position at Missouri Department of Conservation?
Requisition Id: 3669
Salary: $88,164.00 - $112,308.00
Salary Grade: S13
Job Location: Commission Headquarters (JEFFE1)
Closing Date: Until Filled
Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.
To learn more about the job, feel free to contact the hiring supervisor- Aaron P Jeffries at Aaron.Jeffries@mdc.mo.gov or at (573) 522-4115 ext. 3146
Summary/Objective
The legislative liaison will be responsible for representation of the Department of Conservation on legislative matters before the General Assembly, the Governor's Office, other federal and state government agencies, and conservation-focused associations and organizations.
Essential Job Duties
- Serves as lead liaison with members of the General Assembly and Executive Branch and provides interagency coordination with various federal, state, and non-governmental interest groups on conservation issues.
- Works directly with State Legislature on legislative hearings and fiscal issues.
- Manages and develops legislative and communication strategies on introduced legislation.
- Plans content and development of presentations and materials for legislative committees.
- Responds to legislator inquiries for information and assistance on Department programs, services and policies.
- Coordinates appropriate responses to inquiries with Department leadership and Branch Chiefs.
- Prepares and presents testimony for legislative committee hearings and legislative committees.
- Attends legislative hearings and closely tracks legislative floor activity and reviews and tracks bills filed in the General Assembly regarding impacts on Department and conservation programs.
- Coordinates Department positions on legislative and public policy matters.
- Provides effective communications with elected officials about Department programs and natural resource management.
- Assists in obtaining legislative authorization for the Department's operational and capital improvement bills.
- Coordinates with other Deputy Directors and the Chief Budget Officer to develop the annual agency budget that advances priorities of the Commission-approved strategic plan.
- Organizes special legislative field trips and events focused on increasing the General Assembly's understanding and support of Department services.
- Monitors and evaluates state and federal regulated activities that have the potential to impact fish, forest, and wildlife resources to minimize negative consequences to those resources.
- Coordinates public speaking engagements with external partners.
- Serves as a liaison for the Department to other conservation-based organizations.
- Provides effective communication to conservation focused organizations.
Ancillary Job Duties
- Serves as a liaison to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation.
- Coordinates with Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation's Executive Director and Board on business meetings, grant programs, MONASP State Tournament, and Foundation fundraising events.
- Administers the Department's Land and Conservation Partner Grant Program.
- Coordinates with regional staff, conservation partners, and government entities on program eligibility and application deadlines.
- Provides training to regional staff on program eligibility, review applications, and finalizes recommendations for Administration.
- Attends annual conferences and events.
- Employ meaningful measures to solicit and evaluate external input to improve Department processes and accountability.
- Coordination and relationship building with conservation and agricultural groups, monitor state and federal regulations, coordinate with other branches.
- Other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Political Science, Natural Resources, Business Administration, Journalism, Communication, or a closely related field.
- Five (5) to eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience and/or administrative capacity.
- Must maintain a valid, current driver's license.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of principles and practices of administrative functions (outreach and policy).
- Knowledge of public relations practices sufficient to support others in understanding and meeting the Department's mission.
- Skills in human resources management principles and practices sufficient to address critical employee relations issues.
- Skills in strategic and operational planning and budgeting sufficient to ensure Department-wide focus on the allocation and appropriate use of financial resources.
- Knowledge of environmental and natural resources management matters relative to fisheries, forestry, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and enforcement sufficient to ensure continued Department success.
- Ability to make independent decisions and act quickly and decisively on the determined course of action.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of all types of groups, Department staff, and the general public.
- Ability to work effectively as a team member and assist in resolving conflicts.
- Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with Department personnel and the general public.
- Ability to develop and present programs to individuals and groups.
Work Environment
- Regularly work in a standard office environment.
Physical Abilities
- Remain stationary up to 70% of the time.
- Regularly communicate and exchange accurate information.
- Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
- Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more. Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Three-dimensional vision- ability to judge distance and space relationships. Precise hand-eye coordination. Ability to identify and distinguish colors.
- Regularly lift up to 5 pounds.
- Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.
Disclaimer
This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.
Exemption Status/Special Notes
This position has been determined to be Exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.
Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.
MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.
The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.
Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.
All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.
Salary : $88,164 - $112,308
