The Director of Fort Bend County’s Office of Government Relations leads the county's efforts at the Texas Legislature, United States Congress, and various federal and state agencies. The Director works with members of Commissioners Court and county departments to identify legislative and funding priorities in the interest of Fort Bend County residents and to advance those priorities in Austin and Washington, D.C. The Director collaborates with county elected officials and departments to identify the County's policy and funding priorities. The Director is an executive manager and reports to the Commissioners Court.
Leading candidates will be familiar with the legislative process and federal, state and local public policy initiatives and issues. Specifically, they will be current with political and legislative issues impacting Fort Bend County. The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, a collaborative work style and the ability to produce work within a fast-paced environment. The ability to work independently and adjust strategy to frequently and changing demands.
This role requires frequent travel to Austin and Washington, D.C. for legislative purposes.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Coordinates the review by the Commissioners Court of the county's legislative agenda and policy/funding priorities.
- Communicates with members of the Texas Legislature, the United States Congress, and state and federal agencies about the county's priorities and positions.
- Reports regularly and thoroughly to Commissioners Court on the progress of the county's legislative agenda and policy/funding priorities.
- Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation and agency rules to determine the impact on the county; drafts proposed legislation, bill analyses, other supporting documents, and responses when appropriate.
- Coordinates with fellow counties and other governmental entities on county priorities
- Testifies before legislative committees when appropriate, and coordinates county elected official/departmental testimony.
- Responds to requests for assistance from state, federal, and county officials and departments.
- Supervises staff and assigned to the office and develops a budget sufficient to fund the operations of the office.
- Coordinates with the County’s state and federal consultants in Austin and Washington, D.C.
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in public or business administration, or related field.
- 7 years of job-related experience collectively working at the local, state, and/or federal level, and/or with an association that promotes pertinent legislation information to elected officials.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to deal effectively with the public, other employees, department and elected officials.
- Strong verbal and written communication, organizational and computer skills.
- Must possess basic supervision principles; maintaining relationships between local, state and federal governments, public interest groups and private enterprise.
- Knowledge of the principles of public administration, organization, and management including methods of performing complex administrative, organizational and procedural analyses.
- Knowledge of methods and procedures of public finance and budgeting; detailed organizational and functional structure of County government; long-range financial planning and financing methods and practices of local governments; local, state and federal laws, regulations and procedures affecting functions of the County.
- Strong experience in contract management.
- Supervise and/or direct the work; independently research, analyze and make effective recommendations on administrative, management, budgetary and fiscal practices, procedures and problems; prepare, negotiate and administer contracts; research, compile and analyze statistical and other complex data; write complex reports in a logistical, comprehensive, concise manner; prioritize workload efficiently, without direct instruction, to meet deadlines under changing conditions; exercise initiative; facilitate, coordinate and negotiate between staff members of different County and non-County departments and offices.
- Must acquire subject matter expertise in program specific projects; initiate and develop efficient, cost-effective policies; prepare reports and present ideas orally and in writing.
- Ability to win and maintain confidence and cooperation of others and establish and maintain effective relationships on projects.
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
SALARY RANGE: Commensurate with experience
CLOSING DATE: Upon filling position
All full-time and part-time employees are members of the Texas County District Retirement System (TCDRS). Full-time employees also enjoy a wide-range of great benefits.
Fort Bend County is an equal opportunity employer, committed to non-discrimination in employment on any basis including race, color, religion or creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy status (including childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, age (40 and over), physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected military and veteran status, political affiliation or beliefs, or any other classification protected by state, federal and local laws, unless such classification is a bona fide occupational qualification.
For more information on Fort Bend County's Title VI / Nondiscrimination Statement, visit www.fbctx.gov/comply
Fort Bend County is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities. FBC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and all other applicable federal, state and local laws regarding disability discrimination and accommodation.
