Government Relations Specialist III (Director of Government Relations )

The Director of Government Relations performs highly advanced, senior-level managerial work strategic communications of legislative priorities and agency operations with internal and external stakeholders.  Performs complex legislative and consultative work during the Texas biennial legislative session.  Ensures the agency executes its statutory duties with all stakeholders, improves its transparency and public trust, conducts proactive engagements, communicates clearly, responds promptly to, and resolves stakeholder issues, and builds and maintains appropriate external relationships. Supervises the work of others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

NOTE:  EJF percentages may vary during the biennial legislative session and must be flexible for changing responsibilities.     (25%) Plans, develops, supervises, and conducts agency communications with stakeholders and governmental entities.   Develops, conducts and evaluates the need for training on the legislative process, state agency responsibilities, and other related topics. Develops strategies to communicate with legislators, legislative staff, and executive agencies. Prepares plans, schedules, and materials to execute strategies. Creates and organizes events and forums to present agency initiatives, priorities, and legislative requests. Provides talking points for testimony and background documents and prepares research for agency management in preparation for meetings, interviews, and other activities. Serves as the liaison to the Office of the Governor. Develops policies, procedures, and guidelines, and monitors compliance.   (25%) Directs activities related to government relations. Attends legislative hearing and meets with legislators, legislative staff, and other legislative liaisons to inform on important issues; provides feedback about potential new laws and regulations; and discusses issues facing the industry. Works with other divisions to develop the strategic plan, legislative appropriations request, and other required deliverables that inform governmental entities. Solicits input on redundancies and impediments for the strategic plan as well as other challenges in the Alcoholic Beverage Code. Collects data, historical information, and potential solutions and prepares narratives. Monitors interim committee requests, charges, meetings, and reports; prepares materials if necessary and informs agency management. Prepares materials to inform or explain agency initiatives and budgetary requests.   (20%) Coordinates and participates in agency activities related to the Texas biennial legislative session. Serves as an agency representative to legislators, legislative staff, and other legislative liaisons.  Coordinates responses to legislative inquires; reviews and edits legislative correspondence.   Executes plans for communicating budget requests and bills impacting agency operations. Attends legislative hearings and schedules and attends meetings with legislators, legislative staff, and executive agencies. Monitors legislation for agency impact; assigns and reviews bill analyses and maintains overall analysis of key bills.   Assigns fiscal impact assessment; coordinates and synthesizes input; seeks input from agency management; maintains records for all fiscal note queries. Manages and conducts research to recommend solutions and proposes strategies for legislative action. Advises agency management and commission of legislative activities.     (20%) Prepares and presents reports on newly enacted laws in a timely manner. Develops, conducts, and evaluates legislative training.     Works with other divisions to finalize analyses of new laws and determine impact and implementation requirements.   Creates, reviews, and prepares reports to convey analyses of new laws and their impact on agency personnel, stakeholders, and agency operations. Coordinates with other divisions to evaluate most effective media to communicate information.  Presents information to staff, commissioners, and stakeholders on new laws and implementation efforts.     (10%) Communicates with internal and external stakeholders. Responds to inquiries from legislative offices, governmental entities, and stakeholders on bills, agency operations, and activities.   Reviews results of special investigations, internal audits, research studies, forecasts, and modeling exercises to provide direction and guidance. Participates in agency rulemaking and policymaking efforts and other internal meetings with potential impact on or in response to legislation. Represents the agency in organizations focused on state agency responsibilities, agency priorities, or issues affecting TABC. Notifies the governor’s office, legislative sponsors, and others of stakeholder activities, rulemaking events, etc. as required by rule, policy, procedure, or supervisor. Produces reports required by governmental entities by meeting report protocol and deadlines as well as agency goals. Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:  Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public policy, political science, legal studies, communications, public relations, journalism, public administration or a related field. Experience and education may be substituted for one another. Five (5) years’ full-time experience working with the state legislature, the U.S. Congress, legislative staff, or research services.    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience developing or managing public relations, government relations, or communications objectives, with proven leadership. Progressively responsible experience in legislative analysis or intergovernmental affairs.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:  Knowledge of: Texas state and federal legislative processes and state government administration and structure;  proper protocols and procedures for communicating with legislators and elected officials; and social media platforms and strategies.   Skill in: compiling, evaluating, and presenting legislative information; problem solving and negotiating; policy analysis and research;  the use of a computer and applicable software (e.g. Microsoft Office and Telicon); conveying information orally in a clear, concise, accurate, and professional manner; developing and conducting professional presentations; establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy; compiling, evaluating, and presenting legislative information; and conducting policy analysis and research.     Ability to: analyze issues, identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; work effectively under pressure handling multiple tasks and prioritizing to meet close deadlines; communicate effectively verbally and in writing (e.g. writing clear, focused, accurate, and correct materials); oversee and supervise the work of others; learn TABC organizational structures, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations; exercise judgement and discretion in applying and interpreting divisional policies and procedures; interpret local, state, and federal laws, rules, policies, and procedures; comprehend and implement program goals, objectives, and operations and relate those to administrative objectives and missions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other TABC employees and points of contacts of other local, state, and federal agencies; maintain confidential and sensitive information; and read and interpret complex written material and numeric data.

REGISTRATION, CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE:  A valid Texas driver’s license is required.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT/TRAVEL: 25%

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR WORKING CONDITIONS: 
This position functions in a standard office environment. Must be able to move about the office to access file cabinets, office equipment and move up to 20 pounds. Must be able to communicate and exchange.
information via phone, computer, in person and via electronic media. Must be able to perform repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Must be able to work with overlapping deadlines. Required to work as a leader and work with sensitive and confidential information.



MILITARY OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALIST (MOS) CODE: 
Veterans, Reservists or Guardsmen with an MOS or additional duties pertaining to the minimum experience requirements may meet the minimum qualifications for this position and are highly encouraged to apply:
For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at
https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions
 
Supplemental Information

• The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission reserves the right to adjust compensation based upon legislative mandates in regard to TABC's and/or an employee's contribution to the Employees Retirement System. In compliance with Senate Bill 321, agencies that hire a person who has retired from the Employees Retirement System (ERS) or the Law Enforcement and Custodial Officers Supplemental Fund (LECOS) on or after September 1, 2009 are required to remit a surcharge each month the return-to-work retiree is employed. Candidates meeting these requirements will be offered a lower base salary to cover the surcharge. 
• The Commission will conduct a criminal history and driver record check with the Texas Department of Public Safety in accordance with applicable standards on all finalists for this position. 
• More than one position may be filled from this posting. 
• Applicants should clearly describe on their applications how they meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Qualifications may be verified through testing. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application. Incomplete applications may not be considered. 
• The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires all new employees to present proof of eligibility to work in the United States within three (3) days of being hired. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization; For more information, see: https://www.e-verify.gov/about-e-verify/what-is-e-verify
• Males between the ages of 18 and 25 years, inclusive, may be required to furnish proof of either selective service registration or exemption there from as a condition of state employment. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission adheres to the Veteran's Preference granted in Chapter 657 of the Texas Government Code and the Former Foster Children Preference granted in Chapter 672 of Section 1, Subtitle B, and Title 6 of the Texas Government Code

Salary : $7,083 - $10,000