PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Legislative Affairs Specialist performs a variety of professional duties related to planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing programs and processes designed to promote, monitor, influence, and communicate policies and goals of the West Virginia Municipal League (WVML) and its affiliated organizations to various audiences, including federal government, state government, county government and municipal government. This position reports to the Executive Director.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. They are not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive.
- Serves as the legislative and organizational lobbyist for WVML; attends committee meetings and legislative sessions; prepares and gives testimony interpreting and assessing legislative impact; makes formal presentations, performs one-on-one lobbying to promote causes and protect interests of municipal government.
- Assists in drafting legislation, legislative amendments and legislative summariesand assists in preparing WVML’s annual legislative package.
- Serves as the primary WVML liaison with state and federal agencies.
- Represents WVML with outside organizations, government agencies, colleges/universities and other individuals; participates in various meetings andconferences.
- Drafts, solicits and writes materials for WVML publications as necessary.
- Participates in training sessions and seminars on legislative issues concerning municipal government at WVML Conferences and CMO programs.
- Presents legislative reports as needed to WVML’s Legislative Policy Committee and Board members.
- Assist in managing, developing and coordinating the WVML Legislative Policy Committee Agenda.
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in political science, legislative affairs, communications, public administration, business administration or a related field.
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in business or organizational management, preferably in local or state government.
OR
- A combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Required Position-Specific Knowledge, Skills and abilities
- Extensive knowledge of state and federal legislative process.
- Ability to represent the positions/views of local government before large groups.
- Ability to coordinate with WVML’s team to organize, interpret and apply legal principles and knowledge to complex problems in conducting research and preparing legislation.
- Ability to work effectively with a political decision-making body.
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and coordinate projects independently or with minimal guidance.
- Ability to establish networks, build consensus and provide leadership.
- Excellent time management, planning/organizational, oral, written and interpersonal communication skills.
- Ability to interact effectively with WVML members, representatives of other organizations and all levels of WVML staff.
REQUIRED BASIC SKILLS
- Ability to work in an office setting, with the flexibility to work if necessary, at a temporary duty station if the need should arise.
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, via in person and/or telephone.
- Ability to interact and communicate professionally, and effectively.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable.
- Ability to lift up to 30lbs.
- Writing and/or keyboarding.
- Must be proficient in MS Applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
- Using normal office machines such as photocopiers, fax units, etc.
- Use of fluent and grammatically correct English as the primary business language.
- Frequent in-state, out-of-state and overnight travel.
AMENDMENT OF THIS JOB DESCRIPTION
This job description is not and shall not constitute a contract. The Executive Director shall have theright to amend any portion of this document at his or her discretion.
