Government Relations Associate

nature; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nature Conservancy in Minnesota seeks a Government Relations Associate to support policy work at the Minnesota State Capitol and advance conservation priorities across MN, ND, and SD. You will help craft policy research, strategy and communications to inform elected officials and internal staff.

You will assist with budget planning, supervise interns, build partnerships with agencies and partners, and coordinate across teams to advance land, water, climate and agriculture priorities while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 2 years related work experience or equivalent combination.
• Fluency in English.
• Experience researching information from divergent sources and compiling it into a cohesive report.
• Experience preparing written materials such as memos, research documents, policy summaries, official correspondence.
• Experience presenting to and communicating with internal and external audiences.
• Experience interacting with senior leadership in a professional manner.

Responsibilities

• Support policy and Government Relations work for the MN-ND-SD chapter at the Minnesota State Capitol.
• Collaborate with the Director of Policy and Government Relations to drive conservation goals across MN, ND, and SD.
• Provide research, policy analysis and strategy development for land, water, climate and agriculture objectives.
• Track hearings, policies and decisions and prepare lobbying materials, memos and communications.
• Develop strategic partnerships with agencies, conservation orgs and industry; liaison with outside organizations.
• Supervise interns or temporary staff and assist with budgeting and travel expense reporting.
• Assist with project coordination, compliance with internal and external requirements.

Skills

English fluency

Policy research

Written communications

Public speaking

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

2+ years related experience

Job description

What We Can Achieve Together:

As our Government Relations Associate, you will play a key role on the Policy and Government Relations team for the MNDK Chapter of TNC (supporting Minnesota-North Dakota-South Dakota.) In coordination with the Director of Policy and Government Relations for MN-ND-SD, you will help drive forward our policy work at the Minnesota State Capitol and work broadly in support of The Nature Conservancy's conservation priorities and goals across MN, ND, and SD.

You will also advance the Conservancy's policy and public funding goals and provides research, policy analysis and strategy development for policies related to the Conservancy's land, water, climate, and agriculture objectives. This includes tracking hearings, policies and decisions directly related to these policy areas, while also providing additional internal and external coordination, research, meeting and communications coordination as needed. You will provide research and policy analysis in support of legislative, corporate and/or policy priorities; and collaborate with team members to prepare lobbying materials, memos, and other communications for elected and other public officials, internal staff and the Chapter Board of Trustees. You will develop strategic partnerships with relevant agencies, conservation organizations, and/or industry.

Other responsibilities include but are not limited to supervising interns or temporary staff, financial management (developing and working within a budget, processing check requests, and completing travel expense reports,) supporting Policy and Government Relations team projects, administrative functions or similar duties, ensuring program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.

We're Looking for You:

Are you looking for work you can believe in? At TNC we strive to embody a philosophy of Work that You Can Believe in where you can feel like you are making a difference every day.

The Government Relations Associate is a self-starter who thrives working independently in a complex organization with multiple priorities. Additionally, you have strong organizational skills and meticulously detailed oriented.

You will support TNC's conservation goals by serving as a liaison and informational contact between the organization and outside agencies or companies, so relationship building and networking is critical to the position.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 2 years related work experience or equivalent combination.
• Fluency in English.
• Experience researching information from divergent sources and compiling it into a cohesive report.
• Experience preparing written materials such as, but not limited to memos, research documents, policy summaries, official correspondence.
• Experience presenting to and communicating with internal and external audiences.
• Experience interacting with senior leadership in a professional manner.

Desired Qualifications:

• Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience appreciated.
• Experience with strategy development for legislative, planning, and policy initiatives at the state and local level.
• Experience presenting to and communicating with government or corporate staff and/or program leadership.
• Experience working with partners including government agencies and the corporate sector.
• Experience coordinating complex projects in a decentralized organization, working across teams, operating units and functions to achieve optimal results.
• Experience building networks, facilitating informational sessions, increasing internal knowledge and capacity, and identifying key stakeholders.
• Experience, coursework, or other training in public policy, government relations environment, conservation, energy, agriculture, or climate-related policies.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with TNC's Auto Safety Program . Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." To learn more about the Auto Safety Program, visit the Auto Safety information page . Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Salary Information:

The starting pay range for a candidate selected for this position is generally within the range of $65,000 - $70,000 . This range only applies to candidates whose country of employment is the USA. Where a successful candidate's actual pay will fall within this range will be based on a variety of factors, including, for example, the candidate's location, qualifications, specific skills, and experience. Please note countries outside the USA would have a different pay range in the local currency based on the local labor market, and not tied to USA pay or ranges. Your geographic location will be confirmed du