Job Description

Director of Government Relations

The Director of Government Relations is responsible to direct Habitat’s government programs that includes seven local jurisdictions, three counties, and the State of Oregon. The DGR will focus on key government relationships that reduce barriers to and increase funding for affordable homeownership. The Director will track legislation at all levels of government and cultivate relationships with lawmakers and their staff. By participating in effective coalitions, mobilizing Habitat’s base of supporters, and utilizing public relations opportunities the DGR will work to position Habitat Portland Region as a leading voice in housing policy. As supervisor of the Government Grants Officer, the DGR will help to guide Habitat’s case for public funding support, oversee the Officer’s robust public grant submission efforts and ensure grant compliance is happening across departments.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with President/CEO, senior leadership, and key staff on the identification of advocacy priorities. Develop and implement a multi-year advocacy strategy.
• Develop an advocacy policy and procedure to guide advocacy related decisions.
• Work closely with construction and homeownership departments to seek out and identify policies that create unnecessary barriers to developing or buying an affordable home.
• Draft policy related public testimonies around key advocacy issues.
• Monitor pertinent local government meetings (City Council, County Commission, related committees, etc.) and monitor state-level and federal meetings/hearings
• Supervise Government Grant Officer to ensure that grant writing and internal compliance are in line with elected official and bureau staff priorities.
• Manage government relations revenue and expense budget.

Relationship Building

• Represent Habitat at key legislative meetings and networking events.
• Deepen relationships with elected officials by finding opportunities to engage them with Habitat’s President/CEO throughout the year.
• Collaborate with partners and coalitions to advance policy priorities: Housing Oregon, Partners for Affordable Homeownership, Habitat for Humanity of Oregon and The Housing Alliance. Ensure Habitat is present at coalition meetings with elected officials.
• Cultivate relationships with local Bureau leadership at Housing Bureaus and Bureau of Development Services.

* Collaborate with Habitat’s Community Development Manager who leads neighborhood coalition work: East Portland * Action Plan Housing Sub-committee, Roseway Initiative, Living Cully etc.

Community Mobilizing

• Identify key advocacy messages that are best suited for constituent engagement and work closely with Communications department create messaging and materials around policy positions for use in social media, emails, website, and newsletters.
• Work with President/CEO to draft policy related opinion editorials around key advocacy issues.
• Recruit and train volunteer advocates including board, staff, and Habitat clients.
• Serve as key liaison to government relations staff at Habitat for Humanity International and Habitat for Humanity of Oregon to drive local implementation of the national and state level priorities.
• Participate annually in statewide advocacy activities and attend Habitat on the Hill in Washington, D.C., and Habitat at the Capitol in Salem, OR.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 4 years of experience working in the public sector and a comprehensive knowledge of local legislative processes
• Bachelor’s degree in nonprofit administration, government relations, public policy, public administration, communications, political science, or related field.
• Experience writing persuasive case statements and/or public testimonies.

Preferred:

• Experience managing staff.
• Housing industry/affordable housing background.
• Grant writing and management experience.

Approximately 32 hours per week during office hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm)
Occasional overtime may be necessary.

Starting Salary Expectations:

• Minimum $76,000 to the salary range midpoint of $95,000. Placement will generally not exceed the midpoint based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity. The full salary range is $76,000 to $114,000.

How to Apply:

• Submit the following materials at: https://bit.ly/HABCAREERS
• Cover letter addressing:
• How have the personal and professional experiences you have had in your life prepared you and directed you to apply for this position?
• How did you hear about this position?
• Resume, including dates of employment
• The names and contact information for three professional references
• Please provide at least 2 writing samples
• Three professional references.
• Employment is contingent on passing a background check.

*Please mention you saw this ad on AcademicJobs.*

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