What are the responsibilities and job description for the Government Relations Program Specialist (Program Specialist 4) position at State of Washington Dept. of Enterprise Services?
Description
Government Relations Program Specialist
(Program Specialist 4)
(Program Specialist 4)
Monday - Friday | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Flexible/Hybrid
NOTE: The hiring authority reserves the right to offer the position at any time after the required posting period, and during the recruitment process. It is to the applicant's advantage to apply as early as possible. The first review of applicants will begin on 2/6/25. This position will operate in a hybrid work setting, with the requirement to come into the office as needed. Some evening and weekend work may be required depending on business demands. Additionally, this role requires travel between local agency locations, as well as to other state agency offices.
Who We Are:
The Department of Enterprise Services (DES) provides centralized business services to state government agencies; to other public entities such as cities, counties and tribes; and to Washington residents. DES’ mission is to strengthen the business of government for a sustainable and just future. Learn more about DES.
About the Policy and Government Relations Division:
The Policy and Government Relations Division within DES coordinates the agency’s intergovernmental and external relations. The purpose of the program is to coordinate and manage the agency's legislative program; other governmental activities with federal, state, tribal, and local government; and specific relationships with customers, partners, and stakeholders to support the agency mission. The Policy and Government Relations Division works in collaboration with all agency divisions and programs.
About the Opportunity:
As the Government Relations Program Specialist, you will manage and perform a variety of complex projects, representing the Legislative Director in administrative matters. In this role, you will assist in coordinating management activities and providing administrative support across multiple areas of the government relations function. You will also communicate effectively with the Legislative Director and the Chief External Affairs Officer to convey the goals and perspectives on administrative and policy matters, ensuring confidentiality and professionalism at all times. Additionally, you will manage and oversee the coordination of the Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee (CCDAC), the State Capitol Committee (SCC), and other boards, councils, or workgroups.
Duties
Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:
- Serve as a liaison for Capitol Campus Design Advisory Committee (CCDAC) and State Capitol Committee (SCC) projects related to Policy and Government Relations.
- Lead and maintain relationship with external stakeholders and associations, including explaining positions on complex program issues.
- Develop, revise, implement, and oversee CCDAC and SCC program procedures and practices, setting standards for both existing and new activities and associations.
- Manage tasks and special projects, track follow-up items, and ensure timely delivery.
- Prepare materials and manage participant coordination to align with committee and board expectations.
- Overseeing logistics for CCDAC and SCC meetings (virtual, in-person, or hybrid) and participate in meetings as assigned.
- Schedule and coordinate appointments and meetings for the Chief External Affairs Officer and Legislative Affairs Director, preparing relevant materials.
- Organize meetings, prepare agendas, reserve conference rooms, attend meetings, and track follow-up items to ensure timely delivery.
- Coordinate travel arrangements and reimbursements, compile necessary documentation, and prepare approval packages for the Chief External Affairs Officer and Legislative Affairs Director, including hotel, air travel, and car rental reservations.
- Prepare and maintain reports, records, plans, summaries, and recommendations.
- Manage stakeholder outreach materials, as outlined in communication plans.
- Identifying critical issues and bringing them to the attention of the Chief External Affairs Officer and Legislative Affairs Director.
- Prepare complex and routine correspondence.
- Manage electronic and manual filing systems, ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive information. Exercise independent judgment and discretion in all matters.
- Prepare the Chief External Affairs Officer and Legislative Affairs Director for upcoming meetings and presentations.
- Serve as the Public Records Coordinator for the External Affairs/Government Relations Program.
- Researching, data collection and organization, creating briefing documents, creating reports.
- Participate in special projects, either independently or as part of a team, as assigned by the Chief External Affairs Officer or Legislative Director.
- Manage the Policy and Government Relations division's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and contribute to the internal DES COOP workgroup.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, political science, business, project management, or a relevant field from an accredited college or university.
- Note: Additional qualifying experience in planning, project management, policy analysis, and providing executive-level support may be substituted, year-for-year, for the required education.
AND
- Three (3) years of experience in planning, policy analysis, coordination and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government.
- Three (3) years of experience working with executive-level staff.
- Exceptional critical thinking and problem-solving skills in committee work and interactions with state-wide elected officials, legislators, and diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to create work plans for CCDAC/SCC that demonstrate results and promote One DES principles.
- Ability to work in a self-motivated, fast-paced, and deadline-oriented environment.
- Demonstrated ability to generate innovative solutions to problems through consistent use of independent judgement and effective problem-solving.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, including revising materials for ADA compliance.
- Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders and people from diverse communities and thoughts.
- Exceptional written and oral communication skills for responding to diverse stakeholders and communities and viewpoints.
- Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the Policy and Government Relations division.
- Experience in responding to complex and highly sensitive issues in diverse communities.
- Outreach experience with diverse communities, including socially and economically disadvantaged groups.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Legislative or governmental policy experience.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work with diverse communities and thoughts.
- Ability to plan and coordinate complex projects and procedures.
- Ability to educate team members, customers, and stakeholders, and create consensus on important issues and solutions to benefit the Policy and Government Relations division and DES.
Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Competencies:
Incumbents to this position must possess and demonstrate the following competencies:
- Able to learn and understand the language and concepts of our DES DEI culture and commit to being a part of creating and maintaining a diverse, equitable, respectful and inclusive workplace.
- Demonstrate a commitment to growth, learning and self-awareness when provided training and opportunities to participate in improving our work environment.
- Participate and behave in a manner that creates trust and builds working relationships, promoting teamwork and collaboration in the work environment.
- Demonstrate the understanding that all people are valued; contribute to an equitable, inclusive and respectful environment when working with members of the group, team, organization or community.
- Commit to being an active participant in continually evaluating and improving strategies that promote equity and inclusion in our organization.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply:
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.
Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:
- A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting
- A current resume, detailing experience, and education
- A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information
Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify the information provided. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for details, or your application may be disqualified.
Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Opportunity for All:
The Department of Enterprise Services celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws. You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.
Contact Information: For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Aggie Swanson via email at jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
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