Congressional Relations Associate

American Indian Higher Education Consortium; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision (Company Paid)

Disability Insurance (Company Paid)

Life Insurance (Company Paid)

401(k) with 6% match (Employer)

Holidays and PTO

Job summary

AIHEC, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium, is seeking a Congressional Relations Associate in Alexandria, VA. The role supports AIHEC's congressional affairs strategy by cultivating relationships with Members of Congress and staff, coordinating outreach, and preparing briefing materials.

Under the Vice President of Congressional and Federal Relations, you will monitor legislation, assist with appropriations, and help AIHEC maintain a visible presence on Capitol Hill.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Government, Public Administration, Native American Studies, Higher Education, Communications, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of professional experience in congressional affairs, government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, or related field.
• Working knowledge of the U.S. Congress and the federal appropriations process.
• Experience coordinating congressional meetings or working with congressional offices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Congressional Relations: Build bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress, staff, and committees; coordinate outreach; serve as AIHEC's main contact for congressional offices; schedule meetings and events; maintain contact databases.
• Legislative and Appropriations Support: Monitor legislation and appropriations activity; prepare summaries, memoranda, talking points, and background materials; track priorities and action items.
• Member and Legislative Summit Support: Assist Tribal College presidents for congressional meetings; coordinate participation in AIHEC events; manage scheduling and logistics for the Legislative Summit; prepare briefing books.

Skills

Congressional outreach

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Relationship building

Policy awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Political Science or related field

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Congressional Relations Associate

Full Time Professional Alexandria, VA, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1022

Salary Range: $85,000.00 To $95,000.00 Annually

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) is the collective spirit and unifying voice of our nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). AIHEC advances American Indian and Alaska Native higher education through advocacy, research, member services, and programmatic initiatives designed to strengthen Native languages, cultures, communities and Tribal Nations. Through its unique position, AIHEC serves as a collaborative partner to member institutions and emerging TCUs. AIHEC also publishes the Tribal College Journal(TCJ), a premier national publication highlighting innovations, achievements, and issues impacting American Indian higher education.

Position Summary

The Congressional Relations Associate supports AIHEC's Congressional Affairs strategy by cultivating and maintaining productive relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, committees, and key legislative partners. Working under the direction of the Vice President of Congressional and Federal Relations, the Associate coordinates congressional outreach, monitors legislative activity, prepares briefing materials, supports appropriations efforts, and helps ensure AIHEC maintains a visible and trusted presence on Capitol Hill.

Key Responsibilities

Congressional Relations

• Build and maintain productive bipartisan relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and relevant committees.
• Conduct routine outreach to congressional offices to strengthen awareness of Tribal Colleges and Universities and AIHEC priorities.
• Serve as AIHEC's day-to-day point of contact for congressional offices.
• Coordinate congressional meetings, briefings, office visits, and Capitol Hill events.
• Maintain congressional contact databases and relationship tracking.

Legislative and Appropriations Support

• Monitor legislation, appropriations activity, committee hearings, and floor action affecting Tribal Colleges and Universities.
• Prepare legislative summaries, briefing memoranda, talking points, and background materials.
• Track appropriations requests, legislative priorities, and congressional action items.
• Assist the Vice President in reviewing legislative language and congressional impacts on Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Member and Legislative Summit Support

• Assist Tribal College presidents in preparing for congressional meetings.
• Coordinate congressional participation in AIHEC events.
• Manage congressional scheduling and logistics for the annual Legislative Summit.
• Prepare leave-behind materials and congressional briefing books.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Government, Public Administration, Native American Studies, Higher Education, Communications, or a related field.
• Three to five years of professional experience in congressional affairs, government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, or a related field.
• Working knowledge of the U.S. Congress and the federal appropriations process.
• Experience coordinating congressional meetings or working with congressional offices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred

• Experience working with Tribal Nations, Tribal Colleges and Universities, or Native-serving organizations.
• Knowledge of post-secondary education policy.

Core Competencies

• Political Acumen: Understands political dynamics, stakeholder interests, and the legislative environment, and adjusts approaches accordingly.
• Relationship Management: Builds and maintains productive, trust-based relationships with congressional staff, member institutions, coalition partners, and other stakeholders.
• Influence and Persuasion: Communicates ideas effectively, builds consensus, and advances organizational priorities through collaboration and credibility.
• Initiative and Accountability: Demonstrates ownership of assignments, anticipates needs, follows through on commitments, and delivers results with minimal supervision.
• Cultural Awareness and Inclusion: Demonstrates respect for diverse perspectives and experiences and works effectively with Tribal Colleges and Universities and their stakeholders.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to communicate information and ideas, detect, determine, perceive, and observe details, particularly on a screen or on paper.
• Ability to spend more than half of the time viewing computer monitors.
• This position may require remaining in a stationary position 50% or more.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and in writing.
• Ability to travel independently and attend off-site meetings and events as required by business needs.

Job Location and Travel

• Travel up to 25% for meetings and conferences

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary Range: $85,000-$95,000 annually
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (Company Paid)
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance (Company Paid)
• Life Insurance (Company Paid)
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with 6% Employer Match, subject to plan eligibility requirements
• Holidays and Paid Time Off

AIHEC’s personnel policies, procedures, and practices prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, or sex. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace and provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws. If you require accommodation during the application process or in performing essential functions of the role, please contact Human Resources.