Governmental Relations Associate

Government Relations Associate

PURPOSE

The purpose of this position is to assist in developing and implementing the Association’s state legislative policies on issues which affect municipalities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identifies, analyzes and develops recommendations for the Association on state policy issues which affect municipalities.
• Monitors state legislation, regulations and laws and communicate with GMA members with emphasis on revenue and finance issues.
• Serves as registered lobbyist for the Association at the Georgia General Assembly; attends committee meetings and legislative sessions; confers with local officials and state legislators regarding the Association’s legislative program; lobbies for the passage or defeat of legislative bills and amendments.
• Responds to inquiries from GMA member cities’ officials regarding state issues and other legislative matters.
• Represents GMA at meetings, workshops and conferences; makes presentations on legislative issues and GMA activities.
• Assists in planning and developing the Association’s policy development process.
• Assists in convening Association policy committees to obtain input on Association’s annual legislative priorities.
• Provides staff support to one of GMA’s policy committees and assists in providing staff support to other policy committees as needed.
• Writes, prepares, or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, legislative analyses, legislative policies, policy statements, lobbyist reports, or other documents; drafts reports, guides and other documents for use by GMA officials.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, proposed legislative policies, policy research reports, proposed legislation, policy statements, laws, regulations, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Maintains working relationships with State agencies and advocacy organizations to ensure that the interests of cities are represented as regulations, programs and polices are developed.
• Plans, organizes and conducts various sessions/activities at GMA’s annual conference.
• Assists in developing and coordinating training sessions for municipal government officials.
• Maintains a current knowledge of pertinent issues/policies and applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; conducts research and reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy or related field required, or a Juris Doctor degree; three years of experience in public policy analysis or governmental affairs, preferably in local government or a related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.