Director of Federal Government Affairs

The Director of Federal Government Affairs (Director) leads the Alliance’s work to advance federal policy that will protect, conserve, and restore the Great Lakes. The Director provides leadership and analysis to achieve the Alliance’s federal legislative and regulatory objectives. Current focus issues include but are not limited to: protecting the Great Lakes from invasive species; ensuring equitable federal funding and affordable implementation of water infrastructure programs; defending against attacks on foundational water laws and agreements; reducing sources of microplastic pollution; and reducing agricultural pollution.

The Director will work collaboratively with various Alliance staff – including policy experts in water resources and water infrastructure, as well as communications, media relations, local partnerships and state/regional government affairs staff – as partners in policy and federal campaign strategy development.

The Director has primary responsibility for cultivating and nurturing bipartisan relationships necessary to drive federal policy change, with a particular focus on Members of Congress and their staff, and appointed federal agency leaders. The Director will be a public figure for the organization who speaks with authority and diplomacy, and will also train, organize, and create opportunities for the Alliance’s supporters to participate in federal lawmaker education and other forms of advocacy. The Director reports to the Alliance's Vice President for Programs (VP) and provides counsel to the VP and the President & CEO on federal policy opportunities and strategy.

A typical week:

In a typical week, the Director might:

• Meet with Congressional staff to elevate the Alliance’s policy and funding priorities
• Network and collaborate with national and regional environmental organizations on shared goals
• Participate in internal team meetings to identify opportunities and obstacles to achieving federal policy objectives
• Provide a training for Alliance partners and supporters in preparation for an upcoming meeting with Congressional staff
• Work with the Alliance’s communications team to share our policy work with the public through an Action Alert, blog post or webinar
• Read and analyze legislation and regulations and provide summaries to inform the Alliance’s strategic role
• Brainstorm with Alliance policy experts on analyses, fact sheets, or other materials that could support lawmaker education on a topic of interest
• Talk to key media on the record to advance the Alliance’s policy goals

Responsibilities

Federal Policy Analysis & Development

• Analyze and track pending legislation, executive orders, and regulations related to the Alliance’s federal priorities
• Follow Congressional committee hearings and mark-ups, on funding and other issues
• Provide support in monitoring the federal budget and appropriations process to identify current funding issues that relate to or may impact the Alliance’s priorities
• Provide quick analysis of the budget, appropriations bills and other legislation we care about so the Alliance can create timely public communications about our legislative work
• Identify when to elevate issues and opportunities up to organizational leadership for further action
• Identify opportunities for federal policies and programs to shift to address the needs of communities disproportionately impacted by water problems
• Assist the Alliance’s policy experts in creating reports and other materials that are relevant to federal decision-makers
• Advise the Alliance’s program staff on how to most effectively address local and state needs through federal policy initiatives
• With the Alliance’s policy and movement building experts, craft annual policy agenda

Coalition Building

• Identify Alliance partners and supporters that can participate in lawmaker education, serving as compelling storytellers on Great Lakes issues
• Train, organize, and create opportunities for the Alliance’s partners and supporters to participate in federal lawmaker education and other forms of advocacy
• Participate in national water and environmental coalitions to leverage strength of partners and explore opportunities for joint advocacy

Outreach & Education

• Develop ideas for and organize Congressional briefings, meetings, and events involving high-level federal decision-makers to elevate Great Lakes issues
• Ensure that policymakers consider the Alliance as a resource in the development of policies and messaging on issues in which the Alliance has expertise
• Ensure that the Alliance weighs in at appropriate times during the legislative, rulemaking, and appropriations processes
• Draft letters to Congressional members, working to educate offices about Alliance positions on key water policy issues and getting them to express public support for our positions
• Provide input to leadership-level staff at relevant agencies on implementation of key statutes and regulations
• Cultivate and pursue opportunities to promote the Alliance’s staff as expert witnesses for congressional hearings, briefings, and meetings

Work Relationships

The Director reports to the Vice President for Programs. Policy and campaign strategy development is a highly collaborative process at the Alliance which draws on staff participation across the organization. The Director is part of the Movement Building team, which also includes directors who lead on communications, media relations, local partnerships, and state/regional government affairs. The Director will be responsible for ensuring the feasibility of our federal policy objectives and for executing the relational work required for advancement. They collaborate as needed with the Finance and Operations Team on project and budget management.

Supervisory Responsibilities

The Director does not have any direct supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

This position is remote and requires living within a commuting distance of Washington, D.C. Overnight travel within the Great Lakes region is required, with an average of 6-8 times per year.

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Knowledge/Skills

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree and 5 years’ related experience
• Able to independently analyze legislation, propose changes and determine when additional technical and legal resources are needed
• Strong relationships with Great Lakes House and Senate offices
• Strong relationships with relevant committee staff
• Solid existing relationships among environmental NGOs
• Understanding of and ability to communicate about how pollution and environmental injustice disproportionately impacts Black and Brown communities and low-income communities
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and engage authentically across cultures, identities, races, life experiences, and knowledge systems
• Experience navigating and advocating on administrative processes with key agencies including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Office of Management and Budget
• Positive relationships with other relevant sectors including agriculture, labor and health
• Social and outgoing mindset, with an interest and passion for network building through events, receptions and similar activities
• Ability to work independently and enjoy job satisfaction working with a remote team outside of a traditional office environment

Job Parameters

• This position is full-time and consistent with Alliance employment policy. The Alliance has defined salary ranges that are evaluated annually, and it is customary for candidates to join at the lower half of the range to leave room for learning and development in the role. It is uncommon for starting salaries to fall above the mid-point. The salary range for this position begins at $105,000, and we negotiate salaries with final candidates based on their experience in similar roles and expertise related to the qualifications.
• Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any paid holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks' annual vacation to start + PTO, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days.
• The Director will travel approximately 6-8 times per year to the Chicago headquarters and other places in the Great Lakes region to attend meetings and events.

Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, FSA, 11 paid holidays plus the business days between 12/26 and 12/30 (staff who must work on any paid holidays may take those holidays at another time subject to the employee handbook), 3 weeks' annual vacation to start + PTO, and Fidelity 401(k) with employer match of up to 6% of salary, eligible after 30 days.