DEPUTY DIRECTOR INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS - External Affairs

Tarrant County; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Tarrant County seeks a Deputy Intergovernmental Affairs Director to lead legislative strategy and intergovernmental relations, assisting the Director of External Affairs and serving as the County’s secondary representative in government interactions.

The role requires deep knowledge of federal and Texas processes, a decade of experience in legislative affairs, and strong analytical and communication skills. Expect engagement with state and national associations and potential overtime as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 10 years of experience in legislative affairs, public administration, policy analysis, or governmental relations.
• Experience preparing written legislative reports and summaries, drafting legislation and amendments, and other policy-oriented documents.

Responsibilities

• Monitor legislative activity affecting the County, including bills, committee hearings, budget actions, agency rulemaking and identify strategic actions for County leadership consideration.
• Conduct research and compile histories of enacted, amended, and proposed laws relevant to County operations.
• Develop and draft proposed legislation to advance County objectives.
• Prepare reports, fact sheets, briefing materials, and information packets for County leadership and the Director of External Affairs.
• Provide high-level guidance regarding legislative trends, risks, and emerging issues to County leadership.
• Co-develop and lead the implementation of legislative strategies with County Administration and the Director of External Affairs.
• Serve as a key point of contact with legislative staff, public agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders outside the County to represent the County in intergovernmental discussions.
• Track federal and state budget processes and solicit opportunities to obtain funding for the County.
• Lead coordination with statewide and national associations to ensure strategic alignment.
• Coordinate intergovernmental relations activities and logistics for meetings, events, and legislative sessions.
• Respond to routine inquiries from citizens, businesses, external organizations, and County departments regarding legislative matters.
• Assist in preparing materials for collaborations with associations such as the Texas Association of Counties, Conference of Urban Counties, and National Association of Counties.
• Serve as the Deputy Director for intergovernmental matters, supporting continuity of operations when the Director is unavailable.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Extensive network development

Excellent communication

Policy analysis

Microsoft Office 365 Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, political science, business, or related field

Job description

The Deputy Intergovernmental Affairs Director (DIAD) will be responsible for assisting with the daily functions of the External Affairs department by serving as the County’s senior strategic and operational deputy to the Director of External Affairs, serving as the County’s secondary representative in all government agency interactions. The DIAD operates under the strategic direction of the Director of External Affairs in maximizing opportunities and mitigating threats to County operations. That work includes securing federal and state funding, aiding the passage or defeat of legislation, tracking federal and state legislation, and maintaining a stakeholder network beyond the County that supports all those activities. The DIAD informs County media engagement and communications with relevant policy and political insights to build a more cohesive voice for County operations. The County does not have an incumbent serving in this role.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Monitor legislative activity affecting the County, including bills, committee hearings, budget actions, agency rulemaking and identifies strategic actions for County leadership consideration.
• Conduct research and compiles histories of enacted, amended, and proposed laws relevant to County operations.
• Develop and drafts proposed legislation to advance County objectives.
• Prepare reports, fact sheets, briefing materials, and information packets for County leadership and the Director of External Affairs.
• Provide high-level guidance to the Director of External Affairs and County leadership regarding legislative trends, risks, and emerging issues.
• Co-develops and leads the implementation of legislative strategies with County Administration and the Director of External Affairs.
• Serves as a key point of contact with legislative staff, public agencies, community organizations, and other stakeholders outside of the County operational matrix representing the County in high-level intergovernmental discussions.
• Tracks federal and state budget processes and solicits opportunities to obtain funding for the County.
• Leads coordination with statewide and national associations, to ensure strategic alignment.
• Coordinates intergovernmental relations activities and logistics for meetings, events, and legislative sessions.
• Responds to routine inquiries from citizens, businesses, external organizations, and County departments regarding legislative matters.
• Assists in the preparation of materials for collaborations with associations such as the Texas Association of Counties, Conference of Urban Counties, and National Association of Counties.
• Serves as the Deputy Director for intergovernmental matters, supporting continuity of operations when the Director of External Affairs is unavailable.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Excellent customer service and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain extensive networks.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to stay organized and know how to prioritize the workload.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Competency with computers and Microsoft Office 365 Suite.
• Advanced analytical skills.
• Strong analytical and research skills related to legislative and policy matters.
• Ability to present legislative information clearly and concisely.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment within established guidelines.
• Ability to represent the department in meetings when delegated.
• Knowledge of working with legislative bodies at the state or federal level.
• Advanced knowledge of federal and Texas legislative processes, specifically the appropriations processes and procedures.

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Political Science, Business, or related social science field.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in legislative affairs, public administration, policy analysis, or governmental relations.
• Experience preparing written legislative reports and summaries, drafting legislation and amendments, and other policy-oriented documents.

Preferred Requirements:

• No preferred requirements

• While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent may be required to bend, hear, keyboard, sit, stand, talk, work alone and with others, and work overtime. Must be able to lift up to 25lbs.