Director of Goverment Relations

Job Posting Title

Director of Goverment Relations

Agency

265 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Supervisory Organization

Department of Education–Oliver Hodge Education Building

Job Posting End Date

Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full/Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

Based on Education and Experience


Discover the Benefits of Joining Our Team! Are you ready to take the next step in your career with an agency that values your well-being? Look no further! At OSDE, we're proud to offer a robust benefits package designed to support you and your family every step of the way.

•Generous Benefits Allowance: Up to $21,934.08 annually, tailored to family size, for purchasing benefits.
•Comprehensive Insurance Plans: Choose from a variety of insurance plans with no pre-existing conditions, exclusions, or limitations.
•Flexible Spending Accounts: Manage healthcare expenses and/or dependent care with ease.
•Full Participation in TRS: Enjoy employer-covered contributions (7.5% of annual salary) for Teacher’s Retirement System participation.
•Generous Leave Policy: Full-time employees receive 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave in their first year.
•Paid Holidays: Benefit from 11 paid holidays per year.
•Employee Discounts: Access discounts with various companies and vendors.
•Longevity Bonus: Earn a bonus after completing two years of service, with bonuses continuing annually thereafter.
•Compensatory Time: FLSA Exempt and Nonexempt employees receive compensatory time.
•Employee Assistance Program: Access support and resources through our Employee Assistance Program.

Job Description

ABOUT US

At the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE), we go beyond merely offering jobs – we actively seek out extraordinary individuals to join our team. As the primary agency entrusted with overseeing K-12 public education in Oklahoma, we are steadfastly devoted to making a meaningful impact on the districts and students we serve. Our exceptional team at OSDE is renowned for its commitment to superior customer service, innovation, and unwavering dedication to shaping a brighter future for students across the state. We work hand-in-hand with over 500 school districts and maintain a close partnership with the legislature, ensuring that each Oklahoma student receives the exceptional education they deserve.  If you're in search of a fulfilling career that allows you to make a profound difference in the lives of children, you've arrived at the right place. Join us in our mission to empower students and elevate the standard of education in Oklahoma. For further insights into OSDE, please visit our website at  Oklahoma.gov/education

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of Government Relations will play a key role as the legislative liaison for the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Oklahoma State Department of Education. This position requires a proactive approach to advocate for innovative policy solutions, manage legislative relationships, and facilitate the successful implementation of new appropriations and programs.

 

Please note: This role requires a consistent, in-person presence at the designated workplace in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with no remote, telecommuting, or hybrid options.

This position has been designated as executive management and is exempted from the civil service rules established by the Civil Service and Human Capital Modernization Act.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in  Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, or a related field [official transcripts required upon hire];

• Three (3) years of experience in government relations, legislative affairs, or a related area.

• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of relevant experience for each year of the required education. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without sponsorship now or in the future;

• Successful completion of a pre-employment background check;

• Must possess a valid driver’s license from a U.S. state or territory to perform necessary job-related travel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Legislative Liaison: Act as the primary legislative liaison for the State Superintendent and the Oklahoma State Department of Education; Represent the interests of the department in communications with legislators and government officials; Coordinate and attend legislative meetings, hearings, and other relevant events.

• Policy Advocacy: Advocate for innovative policy solutions that align with the department's goals and the needs of Oklahoma's educational system; Develop and present persuasive arguments in support of proposed legislation and policy changes.

• Legislative Relationship Management: Uphold and strengthen relationships with members of the legislature; Assist legislators with constituent concerns, data inquiries, and legislation-related matters; Serve as a resource for legislators seeking information on educational issues.

• Legislation Management: Track and monitor proposed legislation relevant to education; Conduct thorough research and analysis on legislative initiatives; Write and review legislation to ensure alignment with department objectives and legal standards.

• Program Implementation: Facilitate the implementation of new appropriations and programs passed by the legislature; Collaborate with internal teams to ensure smooth execution and compliance with legislative mandates.

• Professional Demeanor:  Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude at all times; ability to build and maintain positive work relationships; demonstrate integrity and ethical conduct in all aspects of your work; ability to display a high level of professionalism in communication, behavior, and appearance; ability to accept constructive feedback to increase performance.Attendance: Regular and reliable in-person attendance is required to ensure quality teamwork, performance, productivity, and collaboration; ability to demonstrate a commitment to your work and team by committing to punctuality and dependability in the work environment; this includes arriving to work on time, being present, engaged, and available to colleagues, internal and external customers. 

• Innovation: Ability to identify and address the evolving needs and challenges of the education landscape; ability to think critically, explore new ideas, and embrace innovative approaches to improve educational outcomes for all students; apply creativity, resourcefulness, and forward-thinking in finding solutions to complex problems and driving positive change in the field of education.

• Efficiency:  Ensure our resources are utilized effectively, and our operations are streamlined; optimize our processes, eliminate redundancies, and leverage technology to enhance productivity and performance; proactively identify opportunities for efficiency gains and implement best practices.

• Superior Customer Service: Willingness to go above and beyond to provide outstanding assistance that exceeds expectations, ability to create positive experiences and build relationships based on trust and satisfaction; maintain a positive and helpful attitude using the appropriate language, tone, and behavior to reflect the agency in a way that leaves a favorable impression.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES

• Effective Communication: Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas, while also listening actively to others and demonstrating understanding; Ability to demonstrate empathy by showing respect and understanding for the feelings and perspectives of others while paying close attention to non-verbal cues; Ability to adapt communication style to suit the needs of the audience and situation.

• Take a proactive approach and work independently: Be resourceful and self-motivated, prioritize work effectively by managing your time well, anticipating challenges, developing creative solutions, paying close attention to detail, and taking ownership of your work.

• Collaborate as a team player: Ability to work effectively with others towards a common goal.  Including being open-minded, respectful, and responsive to others’ ideas and perspectives.  Sharing knowledge and experience while being committed to achieving the teams’ objectives and understanding the importance of working collaboratively to achieve success.

• Demonstrate excellent planning and organizational skills: Ability to set clear objectives, create a plan of action, break down complex tasks into manageable components, delegate tasks when necessary, and establish a realistic timeline to meet deadlines consistently while developing contingency plans to ensure adaptability to changing circumstances.

• Possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills: Ability to analyze complex situations, identify key issues, patterns, connections, and develop effective logical solutions; Ability to think critically, anticipate potential problems, and develop innovative solutions to address them.

• Ability to function well in an, at times, stressful, fast-paced, and deadline-driven environment: Ability to work under pressure and in situations where time is limited whilst remaining calm and focused, prioritizing tasks, and adapting to changing circumstances.

• Ability to build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders: Ability to identify opportunities for collaboration, leverage resources effectively, and negotiate mutually beneficial outcomes.Possess strong interpersonal skills to resolve conflicts and manage difficult conversations constructively and professionally.

•  Knowledge of technology and ability to use it to maximize efficiency and services: Ability to identify opportunities to leverage technology to streamline processes, automate tasks, and improve customer experiences; Familiarity with software, hardware and other relevant technological tools while being able to learn new technologies as they emerge.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Supervisors are responsible for overseeing and managing a team of employees to ensure they perform their duties effectively and efficiently.  Overall, a supervisor plays a critical role in ensuring the success of their team and the organization as a whole. They must possess strong leadership and communication skills, as well as the ability to manage resources effectively and resolve conflicts.

The key responsibilities include:

• Managing and leading the team: Provide leadership and guidance to team members. Create a positive work environment and motivate their team to achieve goals by leading by example.

• Assigning tasks: Assign tasks and projects, monitor performance, and facilitate ongoing training and development to ensure optimal team performance and success. Ensure workloads are balanced and everyone has enough work to do.

• Monitoring performance: Monitor team performance and provide feedback to help them improve. Recognize and reward good performance and address any issues promptly.

• Providing training and development: Provide training and development opportunities that enhance the skills and knowledge of team members, promote career growth, and support the achievement of business objectives.

• Ensuring compliance: Ensure team members comply with company policies, local, and federal laws, and regulations by overseeing and monitoring team activities and conducting regular audits.

• Managing resources: Manage and allocate team resources, including equipment, materials, and supplies, to ensure they are being utilized effectively and efficiently.

• Communicating with management: Maintain regular communication with senior leadership to provide updates on team performance and to collaborate on resource allocation and support needs.

• Resolving conflicts: Resolving conflicts within the team by actively listening, identifying issues, and facilitating discussions to find mutually agreeable solutions. Provide guidance and coaching to team members on conflict resolution strategies and ensure a positive and respectful work environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Location:  Oliver Hodge Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• Work Environment includes: Climate-controlled office setting with exposure to moderate noise; the employee is frequently required to talk, walk, and stand; this position requires long periods of sitting and daily use of computer and phone. Must be able to remain in a stationary position 75% of the time.

• Physical Demands include: Ability to stand, reach, and bend 50% of the time; Operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine/printer, and office telephone 75% of the time; Ascends/descends stairs 25% of the time; Ability to lift to 25 lbs.

• Cognitive Requirements: This role requires clear and accurate communication, strong analytical skills, and the ability to evaluate information and make timely decisions. Sustained focus and attention to detail are essential, along with memory retention of policies, procedures, and facts over various time frames. Adaptability and mental flexibility are also necessary to handle changing information, work conditions, and unexpected challenges.

TRAVEL

Occasional (up to 10%) in-state/out-of-state travel may be required.

EEO STATEMENT

The Oklahoma Department of Education provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, OSDE complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

 

DISCLAIMER

This job description is intended to provide a general understanding of the position's essential duties and responsibilities. It is not an employment contract or agreement, and the duties may change as per business needs without prior notice. The employer reserves the right to modify, revise, or terminate any policies, procedures, or benefits described herein at any time, with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.

If you are needing any extra assistance or have any questions relating to a job you have applied for, please click the link below and find the agency for which you applied for additional information:

Agency Contact