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Oregon State Government Jobs

Legislative Affairs Director

Oregon State Government Jobs, Salem, Oregon, us, 97308


Initial Posting Date: 12/12/2024

Application Deadline: 01/17/2025

Agency: Public Utility Commission

Salary Range: $6,901 - $10,161

Position Type: Employee

Position Title: Legislative Affairs Director

Job Description: The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is seeking a Legislative Affairs Director, to lead the agency’s legislative engagement activities and support other functions. This position represents the PUC in various external and inter-jurisdictional forums and serves as primary point of contact for many external stakeholders, including the Governor’s office, elected officials, and state and federal agencies. The position works with advisory groups, non-governmental organizations, and other public interest groups. In addition, this position supports, and sometimes leads, engagement on regional efforts with other Commissions, states, regulatory bodies, utility service providers and other stakeholders. This is a Management Service, non-supervisory, exempt position, and is not eligible for overtime. This position is classified as an Operations and Policy Analyst 4 (OPA4). About the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC):

The PUC sets utility rates and terms of service through broad delegated legislative responsibility and must balance the interests and rights of multiple organizations and individuals representing divergent and conflicting business, consumer, and public interests. Investor-owned utilities currently receive approximately $5 billion in revenues annually from 2.4 million Oregon consumers. The PUC receives no General or Lottery funds, and instead is funded through a dedicated per-month fee on regulated natural gas, electric, telecommunication, and water utility bills. Our mission

is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law.More information about our vision and values can be found at:

PUC Strategic Plan

and

Diversity Equity and Inclusion Plan . More information about the PUC can be found online at:

www.oregon.gov/PUC

. Please Note : New employees to PUC who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members (those meeting eligibility requirements at time of hire) are paid within the PERS-eligible/AP salary range for this position as follows: Operations and Policy Analyst 4 / PERS-AP Salary Range - MMN: $7,380 - $10,866 monthly

(for active PERS members reflecting a monthly 6.95% contribution/increase) Employees new to State of Oregon employment, or who are not yet a PERS participating member,

will receive the 6.95% increase

(6% employee contribution) upon meeting PERS eligibility, generally after completion of six-months of qualifying State of Oregon employment. What you will do as Legislative Affairs Director:

As the successful candidate for this position, you will work collaboratively with the Commission Chair, Commissioners, Executive Director, and senior agency leaders in developing agency strategic goals and initiatives for external engagement and will be the Commission’s representative with the Legislature and Governor’s office. Major duties of this exciting position include: External Affairs and Legislative Engagement Directs the PUC’s external affairs program and represents the agency in various external and inter-jurisdictional forums.

Tracks policy drivers and proposed policy-level solutions at the state level; responsible for managing the response to legislative requests through the utilization of internal resources.

Develops and manages agency protocols related to responding to legislative requests and bill analysis.

Provides testimony to the Legislature on matters relevant to the Commission; interacts and represents the Commission on public policy before the Legislature and local jurisdictions.

Coordinates responses to legislators on constituent and other issues.

Strategic Policy Support Coordinates external engagement and directs the use of agency resources for public policy and strategic initiatives with other agencies.

Monitors related state and regional activities and ensures that Commissioners and appropriate agency employees are informed of important external policy developments.

Leads collaborative work efforts on regional issues utilizing expert staff to carry out goals of the agency.

Senior Commission Advisor Advises Commissioners and agency leadership on the formulation of positions and presentation of policy papers and presentations, including those in response to legislative requests and proposals.

Confers and works collaboratively with Commissioners and agency leadership to resolve high-level, agency-wide planning and other strategic issues providing input on legislative, regional or other external issues.

H

ybrid-Remote Work:

The PUC offices are located in downtown Salem, in close proximity to the State Capitol, and we maintain a Portland satellite office. This position will perform work on a regular basis, in-person, at the Oregon State Capitol, predominantly during legislative session. Outside of legislative session, the incumbent may

request approval for hybrid-remote work

(generally from the employee’s personal residence). Hybrid-Remote work will be in accordance with the Department of Administrative Services “Working Remotely” statewide policy. Hybrid-remote work is evaluated periodically to ensure business needs are being met and can be adjusted at any time. Benefits for joining our Team:

If you are hired, you will become a key part of an important state agency at a dynamic time.

Play a crucial role in protecting Oregonian ratepayers and achieving climate objectives set for the agency by the Legislature, while balancing the competing demands of utilities and stakeholders.

Utilize your leadership skills and serve as expert resource within the Commission’s Executive Office.

Working with colleagues who are innovative and passionate about public service.

Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a

competitive benefits package .

Learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Possible eligibility for the

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program .

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree demonstrating the capacity for the knowledge and skills; and five years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work leading the logistical and organizational aspects of government affairs activities. OR; Any combination of professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work experience and/or graduate-level education that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification. Requested Skills:

The most competitive candidates will demonstrate the following requested skills and work experience: A Juris Doctorate, or advanced education in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Engineering, Economics, Finance, or Accounting.

Government affairs work experience coordinating and liaising with public officials to help inform the establishment of local, county, state, or federal policy or law.

A highly-engaged leader with broad understanding of the Oregon legislative process and demonstrated work experience establishing and maintaining professional relationships with legislative bodies to promote public policy goals.

Work experience providing high-level policy direction, advice, and consultation to an organization, or state agency’s key decision makers and stakeholders regarding Oregon’s statewide and regional energy and related regulatory matters.

Work experience that demonstrates the ability to establish and maintain excellent interpersonal skills, and use clear and professional language in all communication, whether written or verbal.

Evaluative experience assimilating complex external factors that may influence the direction, actions, and priorities of a state agency.

Work experience that demonstrates the ability to work productively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.

Work experience that demonstrates excellent time management skills and ability to follow through on multiple initiatives and produce results under short timelines and changing agendas.

Work experience working collaboratively to build successful inclusive and equitable practices with stakeholders.

How to Apply:

To submit a complete application, you must use the State of Oregon “Workday” recruitment system. Using the Workday system: 1) Click

“Apply”

at the top of this job announcement. 2)

Create a new Workday account OR login to your existing Workday account ; 3)

Complete and submit your electronic application ; and 4)

As an attachment to your Workday application upload your current resume . The PUC will consider only complete applications submitted online by the closing date/time posted on this announcement. **If you are a current employee of the State of Oregon, you MUST apply through your internal State of Oregon employee Workday account and attach the required material.** Please ensure you’ve provided a thorough and updated application as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on an equal pay calculator. For further information, please visit the Oregon Department of Administrative Services

Equal Pay

homepage. Questions/Need Help?

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act contact PUC Human Resource Analyst Jessica Leedham at 503-580-5740. Additional Information:

Candidates whose training and/or work experience most closely match the requirements and needs of the position may be eligible for an interview.Submissions will be screened for consistency of information and communication skills at the professional level. The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification. Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. Click on the following link for additional information on

Veterans’ Preference . The PUC does not offer VISA sponsorships .Within three-days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. If you are hired, you may be required to provide facts about past employment and present financial interests if they could be connected with the businesses regulated by the PUC. This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates; this list will be used to fill the current opening and may be used to fill other openings as they occur. The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice. For positions approved for hybrid/remote work, demonstrate suitability for remote work, including access to a br oadband internet connection that meets or exceeds the minimum acceptable requirements. The PUC is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.

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