ARIZONA OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY

1400 West Washington Street

Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: Up to $114,750 (DOE)

Grade: 28

Open Until Business Needs Are Met

The Chief Government and Community Affairs Liaison will report to the OEO Director and will be responsible for planning, directing, and managing the department's legislative interests. Duties include tracking legislation, preparing leadership for legislative testimony, and representing the department at key meetings with the Governor's Office and the Joint Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC).

The Chief Government and Community Affairs Liaison will also manage special projects, providing comprehensive research and strategic recommendations to the Director's Office to support departmental goals and initiatives. The Chief Legislative Liaison will be supported by a tribal liaison who can also support policy research and analysis.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

Legislative Affairs:

• Lead legislative affairs for the Department, including acting as the designated agency lobbyist and liaison with the Arizona State Legislature, Governor's office, and other federal, state, local, and private entities

• Working with the executive branch and the Director to formulate policy and provide feedback to the legislature on bills

• Tracks legislative activity and speaks on behalf of the department on matters of legislative policy

• Developing and maintaining strong relationships with lobbyists and external partners

Stakeholder Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs:

• Directing the agency's intergovernmental affairs strategy for local government engagement statewide, particularly for the Arizona Finance Authority (AFA) and Greater Arizona Development Authority (GADA), which primarily serve rural communities and require periodic travel

• Collaborating closely with the Deputy Director and Public Affairs Manager on marketing and public relations initiatives

• This includes communicating programs and encouraging the use of authoritative resources

Private Sector Collaboration:

• Managing relationships with community and industry associations, as well as individual businesses, to identify collaboration opportunities and connect them with agency resources

Knowledge of:

• State legislative processes and parliamentary procedures governing the legislative process

• OEO policies, procedures, and organizational structure

• Workforce and economic development in Arizona

• Operations of the State government

• Business engagement strategies

Skills in:

• Interpreting and understanding state and federal laws and legislation

• Developing relationships with private sector entities

• Negotiations and problem resolution

• Written and verbal communication

• Drafting bills and amendments

• Discretion and discernment

• Supervision and leadership

Ability to:

• Coordinate thorough and accurate responses to informational requests and constituent inquiries from the Legislature

• Participate in developing correspondence on key policy issues and other critical matters

• Build relationships with stakeholders, including public and private sector stakeholders

• Educate and garner support for legislation impacting OEO

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships

• Manage and organize projects and group efforts

• Three (3) years of combined work experience, preferably in Arizona, in any of the following areas: lobbying, legislative activities, political subdivisions, policy/public affairs, or other legislative environments

• A Bachelor’s Degree in political science, public administration, government, business, communications, or a related field

• If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

The State of Arizona offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave

• Retirement plan

• Health and dental insurance

• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year

• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

• Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)

• Please note, enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment

• If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Brian Westerberg at brian.westerberg@azdoa.gov