Government Affairs Specialist

SUMMARY

The Government Affairs Specialist is central to delivering effective government relations for the Kentucky Chamber. This role will work with Chamber members to identify critical issues and make policy recommendations based on member engagement and direction from Chamber leadership. It requires excellent communication skills, encompassing public presentations to educate state and federal policymakers, members, and stakeholders on the Chamber’s positions and to lobby policymakers to carry out the Chamber’s legislative agenda.  The ability to develop programs and partnerships is key to increase support for policies, including managing and conducting meetings with Chamber members and other stakeholders and assisting with the planning of Chamber events. Developing expertise on an ongoing basis in a variety of political and public policy areas is necessary to accomplish essential duties and responsibilities. This is an onsite position with potential for a hybrid schedule.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, the Government Affairs Specialist must perform the following functions effectively. Other duties may be assigned as appropriate.
 

• Provide primary staff oversight for necessary meetings of various established member councils, committees, subcommittees, or ad hoc groups as assigned. 
• Collaborate with other public affairs team members on the development of various research, communications, and lobbying tools, including legislative agenda, member updates, issue alerts, surveys, articles, etc.
• Report on and/or participate in meetings held by the state legislature or other government agencies.
• Track legislation concerning Kentucky’s business climate and effectively communicate Chamber’s legislative agenda to state legislators and Kentucky’s Congressional delegation.
• Maintain/provide all information necessary for expense and other reports as required, on a timely basis.
• Be informed on news and politics as it relates to issues and able to answer staff, membership and public queries on political education and policy issues as appropriate.

• Gather member input in an organized fashion to identify issues affecting the state business climate and utilize committees to analyze the impact of the issues.  Establish issue management objectives and implement appropriate strategies to achieve objectives.
• Work closely with assigned Policy Council(s) and/or Committees to thoroughly communicate chamber issues and develop policy agendas throughout the year.

• Develop professional relationships with legislative and executive branch officials and staff, as well as with other lobbyists, trade association and local chamber representatives.  Advocate for Chamber legislative priorities with legislative and executive branch officials as directed.
• Meet one-on-one with legislators to request support for Chamber position and educate them on key Chamber priorities.
• Testify in public on Chamber issues and handle public opposition to Chamber positions.
• Work with communications team and membership staff as appropriate on matters related to government relations and fields of expertise.

• Demonstrate the ability to solve practical problems and deal effectively with a number of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Demonstrate the ability to define problems, collect and manage data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

QUALIFICATIONS 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

A Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from an accredited four-year college or university; at least two years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must have the ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals and professional journals, as well as the ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Finally, the individuals need to be able to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Employee must have a valid driver’s license.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Individual must have excellent writing and verbal communication skills and significant computer experience, including familiarity with blogs and social networking websites. 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Supervisory experience is preferred, but not required.
TRAVEL

Travel to meetings and conferences are often encouraged and may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision and Distance vision.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

Uniting Business. Advancing Kentucky. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce provides bold leadership as the major catalyst, consensus builder, and advocate for economic growth and for expanding the business community of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. With thousands of members representing every major industry sector, the Chamber’s diverse business policy initiatives converge upon one goal: a healthy, vibrant Kentucky economy. Ensuring that business has a voice in the legislative process, we are working with local business leaders to identify critical trends, at the table as regulations are drafted and in the halls of the Capitol as bills are debated. Building on the success of nearly 70 years, we remain committed to helping Kentucky’s economy grow and prosper by providing leading-edge advocacy on behalf of the business community. If you want to join a friendly, passionate team with limitless potential and an opportunity to impact your community and state, we’d love to meet you!