Legislative Director

Fairfax County Government is one of the nation's largest and most comprehensive local governments in the Northern Virginia area. The Office of the County Executive has an exciting opportunity for an accomplished professional to serve as its Legislative Director.

As the principal liaison with state and federal legislative officials, the director is the county's chief legislative officer and lobbyist/advocate for the Board of Supervisors' initiatives and positions. Provides expertise and influences national and state policy positions to align with those of the county. Partners with other jurisdictions to identify and develop common legislative agendas for consideration by the Virginia General Assembly or Congress. This position works closely with the County Executive as a member of the senior management team.

Specific duties include:

• Presents to the Board of Supervisors on various legislative matters.
• Represents the county at the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia and testifies before various committees and subcommittees of the state legislature.
• Provides detailed information on the county's position regarding pending legislation and works closely with legislators to ensure that state laws are consistent with county policies whenever possible.
• Builds and maintains strong relationships with key legislators and stakeholders to advocate for the county's legislative priorities.
• Provides ongoing legislative advice and updates to the County Executive, Board, and relevant county staff on critical legislative developments, ensuring that all parties are informed and able to respond to emerging legislative issues in a timely manner.
• Advises the Board and county department directors on all matters pertaining to the Virginia General Assembly, leading the development of the county's legislative strategy.
• Assists the Board and the Office of the County Executive in shaping legislative strategies and identifying key issues for the county to address.
• Continuously evaluates and analyzes proposed legislation and regulations at the local, state, and federal levels, and provides insightful recommendations, guidance and impact analyses to the Board.
• Ensures the smooth flow of information between the county, state, and federal governments, and facilitates effective communication and coordination across all levels.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with course work which includes public administration, political science, communications, policy analysis or a related field; plus, six years of progressively responsible experience in federal and/or State government relations for a private, non-profit, or public entity.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED
Registration with the Commonwealth of Virginia, as a lobbyist for the County of Fairfax, within 15 days of hire and annually thereafter.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and a credit history check to the satisfaction of the employer.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check and a credit history check to the satisfaction of the employer.

This position requires extensive travel. The individual in this position is expected to live in Richmond during the months of January through March for the duration of the annual legislative session of the Virginia General Assembly. The position also requires attendance at legislative meetings throughout the year, primarily in Richmond, as well as other sites in the state, or the Washington, D.C. area.

• Proven ability to monitor and analyze policy trends, movements and proposed legislation that may positively or negatively affect the county.
• Strong experience in government affairs and public policy and policy-making processes, including public policy analysis; state government relations experience, particularly within the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Exceptional knowledge of federal, state and local government processes and inter-connections.
• Demonstrated understanding of local government operations and policies.
• Proven ability to formulate political strategy, and to affect change by working with elected officials.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; a proven ability to conceptualize, interpret, and articulate positions or ideas.
• Ability to work independently, in a variety of situations.
• Flexibility and ability to work under time constraints and deadlines, and to perform multiple tasks.
• Shows discretion and uses good judgment, particularly in public settings.
• Ability to monitor and empower staff, and to lead by example.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is generally sedentary, performed in a normal office environment. Ability to travel extensively to Richmond, as well as other sites in the state, or the Washington, D.C. area. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 38.7% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov EEO/AA/TTY.