Los Angeles Community College District

Plans, develops, and manages strategic legislative affairs and governmental relations for the District to promote advocacy and legislative priorities for District programs, services, and activities with federal, state and local public agencies.

Develops strategic plans for the District’s governmental relations and legislative affairs, including: local, state, and federal legislation and its impact on the District; advocacy for the District, District programs, and for the District’s legislative priorities; research data linked to proposed, pending or existing legislation; and informational programs and events for community leaders, industry leaders, elected officials and others regarding the District’s contributions and priorities.

Oversees the activities and actions of federal, state, and local governmental lobbyists; facilitates interaction between administrative staff, the Board of Trustees, and appropriate staff with lobbyists, governmental officials, and other persons of influence related to District’s short and long-term goals and objectives.

Directs and prepares testimony, statements, correspondence, reports, and presentations regarding legislative and governmental matters for the Chancellor and Board members.

Provides policy recommendations, technical assistance, and information to the Board of Trustees, Chancellor and executive management related to governmental and legislative affairs.

Monitors and tracks federal, state, and local legislation to assess the impact on District operations and facilitates the development of responses and recommendations.

Represents the District at meetings and events related to District legislative and governmental relation policies, priorities, and missions and related matters.

Fosters interest of legislative, political, interest, professional, employee, student, business and community groups and organizations in District programs, services, and activities.

Collaborates with internal stakeholders and external partners including advocacy organizations to build alliances that drive outcomes in public policy.

Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with internal and external constituent groups, private organizations, elected officials and their representatives.

Provides strategic and innovative advice to the Chancellor in the design, implementation, and continuous improvement for District-wide special projects, taskforces, and advisory committees; collects and gathers data for reports and inquiries.

Plans and coordinates annual advocacy visits to Washington, DC and Sacramento.

Directs and prepares a variety of correspondence, reports, and presentations regarding legislative and governmental relation matters.

May supervise and evaluate the work of assigned staff.

Performs related duties as assigned.

A Legislative and Governmental Relations Officer is responsible for planning, developing, and managing strategic legislative affairs and governmental relations for the District to promote advocacy and legislative priorities for District programs, services, and activities with federal, state and local public agencies.

A Director of Communications and External Relations plans, develops, implements, and directs an effective and strategic communications, advertising, public relations, and external relations program for the District by making the public aware of the value and importance of the District, enhancing its image, and enlisting the public's support for the programs, projects, services, operations, and needs of the District.

General direction is received from the Chancellor or his/her designee. General supervision may be exercised over professional and other support staff.

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices and methods of governmental affairs, education policy, and advocacy

Local, state, and federal laws and regulations pertinent to assigned area of responsibility

Government departments and industry organizations responsible for expanding District organization, operations, and objectives

Organization, functions, and leadership of state and higher education committees

Organization, functions, and inter-relationships of operating units and programs of the District

Local, regional, statewide, and national trends in higher education

Principles of public and community relations

Principles of research and data analysis to support policy development and decision-making

Principles of business management and public administration

Leadership, team building, and relationship management skills

Capabilities of computer systems and applications applicable to legislative and governmental relations

Ability to:

Develop and implement political engagement strategy with local, state, and federal government officials and lobbyists

Effectively communicate, both orally and in writing, with diverse constituencies within and outside the District

Interpret, apply, and explain applicable District policies and procedures and local, state, and federal laws and regulations

Successfully navigate, collaborate, and thrive in a multi‐institution context through integrity, persuasion, consensus, and effective communication

Foster trust and confidence, earn support from internal and external constituencies

Anticipate conditions, plan ahead, establish priorities, and meet schedules

Recognize the critical elements of various issues, develop and evaluate data, and determine solutions

Prepare and present effective oral and written communications, presentations, and reports

Exercise the authority of the position with diplomacy, tact, and courtesy

Exercise initiative, discretion, and critical judgement

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with District executives, administrators, staff, and business and community leaders

Travel to locations within and outside the District

Education and Experience:

A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university, preferably with a major in political science, public administration, communications, or a related field AND five years of recent, full-time, paid, professional-level experience in managing the governmental relations, policy, and/or legislative affairs of a public or private agency. A master’s degree in the aforementioned disciplines is desirable. Experience in higher education is desirable.

Special:

A valid Class “C” California driver’s license must be obtained within 10 days of establishing residency in the State of California.

Travel to locations throughout the District is required.

• Medical and dental insurance and vision care plans are provided for employees and their dependents.
• A $50,000 life insurance policy is provided free of charge for each employee.
• New employees receive 12 full-pay days and 88 half-pay days of illness leave.
• 19 paid holidays per year.
• Vacation days accrue annually beginning at 10 days and increasing incrementally to 24 days depending on years of service with the District. Vacation days for management and confidential positions begin at 15, 20, or 24 days.
• Other paid time off includes: bereavement leave, personal necessity leave, court subpoena, and jury duty.
• Employees become members of the Public Employees Retirement System. Employees are also covered by Social Security.
• Employee Assistance Program

Reasonable Accommodation

Our class specification generally describes the duties, responsibilities, and requirements characteristic of the position(s) within this job class. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a particular position within this class may vary from the duties of other positions within the class. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Los Angeles Community College District provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with covered disabilities on a case-by-case basis throughout the application, examination, and hiring processes and throughout employment. If an individual is in doubt about his or her ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a position or possession of any other requirement noted in a class specification or job announcement, he or she should always apply for a position and request reasonable accommodation at the appropriate time.