Under the direction and guidance of the SVP of Government Relations, this position is responsible for coordinating and supporting the government efforts of the Chamber, including the Business Advocacy Committee, the Regional Policy Committee, Champion Advocates, the Military Policy Council and associated issues, activities, meetings and events associated with each area.  In addition, the position maintains an active working relationship with local officials and staffs and helps the Chamber identify issues and develops positions and strategy for advocating business issues through legislative agenda reviews and other administrative duties. This position also coordinates the CMCC Political Action Committee, and the Chamber activities associated with One Region.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

1.       Coordinates and supports the various committees that focus on government relations, including the Business Advocacy Committee, the Regional Policy Committee, Champion Advocates, the Military Policy Council, One Region and the CMCC PAC.  Identifies issues that arise from the Committee activities that the Chamber needs to act upon and prepares a communications/advocacy strategy on how the Chamber should address issues.

2.       Manages and coordinates the Civic Leaders Academy sessions in partnership with the programs team.

3.       Follows the Chamber’s Policy Agendas and works within the various Guiding Principles as adopted by the Board of Directors.

4.       Identifies issues, develops recommendations on Chamber policy positions and works to ensure that positions and agendas are accurately and effectively communicated.

5.       Assists in the development and maintenance of relationships with staff and elected officials at federal, state, and local government levels to promote a continual and active dialogue with the Chamber.

6.       Assist in monitoring local issues that impact the broad-based interests of the Chamber’s membership and positively or negatively impact the organization’s mission. Will work collaboratively with the Government Relations Team on local, state and federal issues that have regional business environment implications.

7.       Attends appropriate meetings and provides updates on issues that the Chamber needs to address (local governments, planning commission, Council of Governments, etc.).

8.       Manages the CMCC PAC activities including the endorsement process and budget.

9.       Be familiar with and assist in ensuring that the department goals are met.

10.    Ensure that all advocacy assignments, projects, issues/position papers, and correspondence are completed in a timely manner and, when appropriate, enroll targeted coalition partners to produce desired public policy and electoral outcomes sought by the Chamber.

11.    Convene grassroots support for legislation at the direction of the Government Relations team.

12.    Attend events/meetings as directed.

13.    Handle other duties as assigned by the SVP of Government Relations.

Minimum Qualifications:

1.       Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Political Science or related degree, or demonstrated experience with working public policy or political issues preferred.

2.       Ability to maintain confidentiality.

3.       Excellent written and verbal communications skills.

4.       Knowledge of computer-based data systems.

5.       Demonstrated ability to track and strategically manage multiple political or governmental issues.

6.       Excellent eye for detail coupled with organizational and communication skills.

7.       Ability to manage and execute multiple responsibilities simultaneously.

8.       Working knowledge of local and state governing processes.

Other Relevant Attributes Necessary for Success:

(a)     Self-starter who can anticipate the next thing, move, etc. and can assist in determining where Chamber should be involved.

(b)     Good communicator - oral and written.

(c)     Strong interest in politics but not tied exclusively to one party. In other words, someone who enjoys the political process and is passionate about policy issues but can work in a bi-partisan way with all elected officials.

(d)     A strategic thinker, who can see the big picture.

(e)     Understands the Chamber and is comfortable with serving in a representative capacity.

(f)      Not a "yes" person, but can talk to volunteers and elected officials honestly and effectively, notwithstanding the difficulty associated with the issue.

(g)     A hard worker, not a clock watcher and someone who will work to get the project done.

(h)     A professional who is an excellent representative of our organization.

(i)       Team oriented.  Not an "I", but a "we" person.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

·         None

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

LANGUAGE SKILLS

§  Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, or budget reports.

§  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from senior leaders, managers, and employees using tact, courtesy, and cooperativeness.

REASONING ABILITY

§  Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

§  Ability to deal with a few abstract and concrete variables, exercising judgment, resourcefulness, ingenuity, and initiative.

§  Ability to exercise discretion while managing confidential information.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

§  Computer Knowledge to include: Microsoft Office, excel and other basic computer software systems.