Government Affairs Manager

The City of Kirkland's City Manager's Office is seeking to hire a Government Affairs Manager!

Why Kirkland?

• Develops, plans, and implements legislative strategies, and manages governmental affairs to effectively serve the City's needs.
• Represents the City Manager's Office in coordination and negotiation of complex government issues.
• Attracts, retains, and motivates a professional and competent staff. Manages and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel; directs work and provides training for staff development.
• Provides technical expertise and responds to complex questions; resolves conflicts; acts as a facilitator between government relations, community, and City staff; communicates with other division managers, department directors, City officials and others regarding policy issues and matters of mutual concern.
• Provides staff support to a City Manager Office assigned board or commission.

• Manages complex intergovernmental relations activities for the City Manager's Office. Coordinates with appropriate internal and external stakeholders, prepares implementation plans and staff recommendation on related Council action items. Attends and may provide follow-up analyses for intergovernmental meetings and regional studies and projects.
• Develops, implements, and supervises the City's state legislation agenda. Evaluates impacts of proposed legislation, supervises the City's day-to-day lobbying efforts, and serves as advocate of the City's interests during the State legislative session.
• Supports the Council's Legislative Work Group and legislative agenda process.
• Schedules, coordinates, and plans meetings with local, state, regional, and legislative leaders to discuss issues that impact the City and to achieve consensus on projects and issues important to the City (e.g., Lake Washington School District & Council Coordination Meetings).
• Advances Kirkland's agenda through regional partnerships such as the Sound Cities Association, King County, Puget Sound Regional Council, and other regional boards and committees.
• Establishes positive working relationships with government affairs peers in nearby jurisdictions.
• Provides consultation and advice to internal staff working on regional and/or intergovernmental projects, grant applications, and programs.
• Develops, implements, and supervises federal legislative agendas and advocacy as needed.
• Conducts research, analysis, surveys, and prepares staff reports on a wide variety of topics as assigned by the City Manager; conducts special projects; prepares correspondence and memoranda.
• Investigates, interprets, analyzes, and prepares recommendations regarding proposals for new programs, grants, and services.
• Attends City Council meetings and study sessions and assists in the staff implementation of work and assignments resulting from these meetings.
• Oversees the City's Volunteer Program according to adopted policies and procedures, including significant volunteer-oriented events such as the City's annual Community Appreciation Night.
• Directs and reviews the work of assigned staff; establishes performance standards and trains staff.
• Provides staff and management support to relevant boards and commissions, including preparation of monthly agenda packets, staff reports, grant applications and other related staff work.
• Prepares specifications and scopes of work for request for proposals (RFPs) and request for qualifications (RFQs); negotiates, prepares, and administers contracts for consultants, vendors, and contractors.
• Fosters a positive and supportive work environment; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace, contributing to an environment of respectful living and working in a multicultural society.

• Assists with preparations of annual goals and objectives for the City Manager's Office.
• Provides back-up to Communications Program Manager and investigates and follows up on community member requests for service and complaints, and requests for information.
• Responsible for developing measurable implementation plans that achieve the City's government affairs initiatives in the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Roadmap.
• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.

• Excellent municipal advocacy and lobbying skills.
• Advanced interpersonal, public relations, presentation, and communications skills (verbal and written).
• Knowledge of principles and practices of organization, public administration, and modern municipal management.
• Advanced knowledge of research methods, report writing, group and meeting facilitation techniques, and the organization and presentation of oral reports.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, policies and regulations pertaining to City operations and legislative processes.
• Advanced PC proficiency including word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet programs.
• Ability to operate within broad administrative policies and guidelines and without close day-to-day supervision.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in public administration, business administration, political science or equivalent experience.
• Experience: 5 years of related work experience including 1 year of supervisory experience.
• Or: In place of the above requirements, the incumbent may possess any combination of relevant education and experience which would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to proficiently perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above.

• Demonstrated experience working within the state legislative process preferred.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:
Work is generally performed in an office setting and will include standing and sitting for long intervals of time. Positions in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, reaching, sitting, mobility, typing, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Work is typically sedentary work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
Attendance at Council meetings is frequently required; meetings are held in the evenings or outside normal office hours. Some travel within the Puget Sound area is required.

Selection Process

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.