Director, State and Local Affairs

Description




Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open to the Public

Position Status: Full-Time, Regular

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0058/3

Salary Range: $84,955 - $114,941

Closing Date: Saturday, September 18, 2021

Location: 4200 Connecticut Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20008

Brief Description of Duties

The Director, State and Local Affairs, reports to the Assistant Vice President, External Relations and leads all aspects of governmental relations and public policy initiatives that advance the interests of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) at the executive and legislative levels of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) state and local governments. The incumbent develops and manages the University’s strategy for strengthening governmental relationships by increasing their understanding of and support for the University. Proactively advises University leadership on priorities and policy matters and identities and executes priority legislative and governmental relations issues for the University.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as the lead government relations contact for the University; Advises key leadership and actively networks, builds and maintains relationships with executive, legislative and agency officials, staff, elected officials and other stakeholders in support of University interests.
• Geographic coverage includes the District Government, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) state and local governments;
• Creates, executes, and manages the University’s strategy and legislative agenda for building support for and strengthening University-governmental relationships;
• Prepares and/or oversees a variety of University submissions to governmental entities to ensure alignment with strategic and financial initiatives; Ensures all submissions are accurate and complete; Drafts written testimony and statements in support/opposition to legislative and policy initiatives;
• Monitors, researches and helps interpret applicable federal, District, and state laws and regulations that impact the University and assists in translating them into policies and operating procedures as required;
• Manages the information flow and lobbyist activities on behalf of the University with key state and local entities; Proactively keeps relevant University personnel abreast of emerging issues and concerns and new requirements emanating from legislative or executive branches; Organizes meetings and events with elected and appointed officials to foster relationships and understanding of key issues impacting the University;
• Plays an integral role in connecting the University’s governmental and community relations strategy; Responsible for seamlessly integrating the University’s service delivery and collaboration efforts with local private and governmental entities (i.e. ANCs, local and state units, community-based organizations, etc.);
• Defines, develops and implements the strategies and relationships required to achieve the University’s Equity Imperative strategic plan to include specific projects in designated Wards (i.e. Wards 7 and 8) and the University’s Pre-K – 16 initiative in collaboration with DCPS;
• Serves as a point of contact for governmental entities to support the development of the budget, funding requests and initiatives and alignment with state and local government initiatives;
• Tracks progress on legislation, initiatives, efforts, etc., that impact the University; engages in data collection and analysis and routine reporting; Prepares and delivers presentations to stakeholders;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, government affairs, public administration or related field; and
• Minimum of 5 years of government relations/affairs experience including knowledge of legislative and governmental processes; or
• A combination of education and experience, such as 2 years of graduate level education or completion of a law degree, plus 3 years of related experience working on building relationships with the District government and/or working for a District agency/office.
• Experience with the District of Columbia’s legislative process is required.

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Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is not part of the collective bargaining unit.

Employment Benefits: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA).

Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business, or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act. In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act. Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference: Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Visa Sponsorship: At this time, the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B). This position is also ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Residency Preference: The Residency Preference Amendment Act of 1988, D.C. Law 7-203, created a system in which provides that any applicant for employment in the Career or Educational Services who is a bona fide resident of the District of Columbia may claim a residency reference at the time of application. An applicant selected for an appointment based on District residency will be required to submit no less than eight (8) proofs of bona fide District residency on or before the effective date of the appointment . Bona fide District residency must be maintained from the date of appointment to the position for seven (7) consecutive years. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the (7) year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation. The determination of a 'satisfactory background investigation' is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia. The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources Only.

Contact Information: All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Talent Management at (202) 274-5380.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: https://www.udc.edu/human-resources/equal-opportunity/ .