Governmental Affairs Liaison

Metro Water Recovery in Denver, CO - a nationally recognized leader among clean water utilities, provides wastewater conveyance and treatment services for 2.2 million people in the Denver Metro area.

At Metro, we help you be your best so we can do our best. You will join a team that offers stability, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a difference. We take pride in being part of an industry-leading team who serves the community by protecting the region’s health and environment.

Why It's a Great Opportunity:

As the Government Affairs Liaison at Metro Water Recovery (Metro), you will have an opportunity to positively impact Metro and its 817-square-mile service area. This is meaningful work that makes a difference in both the organization, community and State. Metro offers a range of employee benefits, including a flexible work schedule, a competitive salary, and an incentive training program to help you grow and develop your skills.

Why It's a Great Department:

The Government Affairs Liaison will be located in the External Affairs Department within the Office of Strategy. We encourage collaboration, problem solving, and personal growth. There are three Divisions within the department – Government Affairs, Community Engagement and Public Education and Information. Metro values excellence, integrity, inclusion, and collaboration.

How to Be Successful in the Role:

Serving as a Government Affairs Liaison takes energy, problem-solving, organization, excellent communication skills, and flexibility.  Supporting the organization’s policy agenda is critical for the organization’s overall success. You will serve as the liaison between many decision makers and the organization.  

Your Future in this Role:

We're looking for a passionate and experienced individual who is eager to learn about Metro’s role within the resource recovery industry. Alongside the support from your supervisor and team members, you will build strong relationships with Metro subject-matter experts, who are essential contributors to a successful government affairs program.  

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to use your skills to make a difference! Apply now and become part of the Metro Water Recovery team!

Overview:

Responsible for representing Metro Water Recovery in establishing and maintaining positive relationships with local, state and federal policy makers and their staff. Responsible for monitoring and reviewing federal and state legislative actions and resolutions, assessing the potential impact to Metro, communicating impact, and creating, implementing and executing strategies to advocate for or mitigate the impact of legislative and regulatory actions. May supervise staff. Works under the general direction of the Director of External Affairs.

Examples of Duties

1. Build relationships with federal, state, and local government agencies, staff and elected officials. Actively participates in public policy discussions on local and regional projects, plans, and initiatives to identify potential impact to the organization’s business operations and strategic initiatives.
2. Identify, develop, and implement plans, strategies, programs, and activities to mitigate impacts of legislative or other proposals or to advocate for policies, regulations or legislation to achieve Metro goals and objectives.Coordinate the work necessary for conducting the strategies, programs, and activities, ensuring consistent and coordinated messaging and content, to successfully reinforce and build awareness and support.
3. Work closely with subject matter experts to identify issues that require advocacy. Coordinate messaging and advocacy strategy and approach with subject matter experts. Provide and present regular updates on legislative and policy issues to Metro leadership and, if appropriate, the Board of Directors.
4. Analyze and interpret governmental and political issues, concerns, and opportunities. Prepare appropriate communication documents (e.g., fact sheets, memos, letters) establishing Metro standard messaging for internal and external stakeholders.  
5. Coordinate lobbying efforts in the Colorado General Assembly. 
6. Provide communication expertise and collaborate with internal Subject Matter Experts on key strategic and high-profile issues, projects, initiatives, and programs to integrate political perspectives. Including development and implementation of communication and engagement plans.
7. Prepares, organizes, and presents or coordinates testimony and/or issue position documents on specific legislation and legislative issues.
8. Participates and represents the organization on boards, committees, and organizations as strategically identified, advocating on water policies and procedures that align with Metro’s goals and objectives.
9. Participates in the recruitment and selection of personnel; conducts and reviews performance evaluations; provides coaching, mentoring, and professional development opportunities; and recommends or supports disciplinary actions as necessary.
10. Responsible for maintaining and promoting a safe working environment. Ensure employees complete all required training on time, maintain compliance with organizational requirements, and follow all safety protocols.
11. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Colorado governmental and legislative process
• Public policy and environmental regulations
• Advocacy and lobbying practices
• General office processes and procedures
• MS Office software

Skilled at:

• Interacting with local, regional, or state governments on legislative, regulatory, or policy issues
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Establish and maintain working relationships with public works, planning, municipal, state-wide, regulatory, and political agencies 
• Research, interpret and analyze legislation and/or regulations
• Direct, persuade and motivate others
• Perform effectively in a collaborative team environment
• Think and act strategically in an organizational “big picture" context
• Identify problems, craft effective strategies, act decisively and demonstrate good judgment
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Active and empathic listening skills
• Training and mentoring staff
• Managing disagreements, de-escalating conflict, and negotiating win-win solutions
• Project management including work planning, resource allocation and progress reviews through project completion

Ability to:

• Understand Colorado and federal laws pertaining to local government agencies, especially wastewater treatment agencies
• Attain a Colorado lobbyist registration
• Understand Colorado and federal water quality regulations
• Recommend strategy to leadership involving testimony with local and/or state legislation and/or regulations
• Learn project management, change management, Lean, Six Sigma approaches
• Produce high quality, accurate and prompt results in a fast-paced working environment
• Coordinate and collaborate in development of advocacy materials that may be highly technical in nature
• Work well across all departments to understand policy and technical issues that relate to the goals and objectives of the organization
• Maintain emotional control under ambiguous and stressful circumstances
• Leveraging diverse modes of communication to optimize the effective exchange of ideas and information
• Implement and enforce policies and procedures fairly and consistently
• Effectively supervise staff.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Political Science, Environmental Policy, Public Administration, or a related field.  A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.