Government Relations Associate - Washington, D.C.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The Government Relations Associate at The First Church of Christ, Scientist supports the Director of Federal Government Affairs in the U.S. Federal Office.

The role enhances the work of international Committees on Publication and assists US Committees in government relations, contributing to the Church’s mission by providing clear, accurate understanding of Christian Science to public figures and media. Based in Washington, DC with hybrid work options, the position requires professional

Qualifications

• BA or BS required; 3+ years in related government affairs work preferred.
• Strong oral and written communication and ability to work with confidential information.
• Experience coordinating with multiple stakeholders and maintaining organized records.

Responsibilities

• Support the Committee on Publication Government Relations activities and align with Church Manual authority for steps in work.
• Monitor U.S. national and international media; synthesize data on public policy topics.
• Review talking points, advocacy materials, policy memos, reports, and other materials for internal/external use.
• Digitally curate internal and external policy materials for easy access and historical reference.
• Support federal legislative/regulatory scanning; track legislation in Salesforce/Google Workspace; run monthly review meetings.
• Coordinate internal/external meetings; draft and file meeting requests and notes.
• Assist in training new international Committees on Publication; schedule and distribute content; follow up.
• Communicate with Committees on Publication; coordinate with Government Relations Counsel (Intl).
• Manage Federal Office inbox/phone; draft responses; maintain webpages/resources.
• Handle general admin needs including mail, calendaring, travel logistics, vendor relations, budgets.
• Research government relations topics as needed.
• May assist with special projects for U.S. Federal Office and Boston Committee.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Organization

Discretion

Education

BA or BS

3+ years relevant work experience

Tools

Google Workplace

Microsoft 365

Adobe

Salesforce

M‑files

Trello

Zoom

WhatsApp

Job description

Summary

The Government Relations Associate reports to the Director of Federal Government Affairs in the U.S. Federal Office. The role supports the U.S. Federal Office and the work of international Committees on Publication, and is available to support US Committees in government relations work as needed, furthering the Committee on Publication mission, “to correct in a Christian manner impositions on the public in regard to Christian Science, injustices done Mrs. Eddy or members of this Church by the daily press, by periodicals or circulated literature of any sort.” The work includes supporting interactions with public figures in a Christian manner that help to provide a clearer and more accurate understanding of our Church and the practice of Christian Science. This position requires metaphysical and professional maturity and substantive contribution, including sound organization, project management, and communication skills. This position offers the opportunity to learn the functions and approach of a government affairs office.

• Prayerfully support the Committee on Publication Government Relations activities and turn regularly to the Church Manual authority for each step in the work.
• Assist in monitoring U.S. national and international media and synthesizing data across a range of public policy topics.
• Collaborate in the review of talking points, advocacy materials, policy memos, historical research, reports, and other materials for internal and external use.
• Receive and digitally curate internal and external policy materials for both easy access and historical reference.
• Support U.S. federal legislative/regulatory scanning efforts by working with the federal scanning team to maintain an active record of bills/regulations of interest; organize and monitor tracked legislation in Salesforce and Google Workplace; run monthly U.S. Federal Office legislative/regulatory review meetings.
• Coordinate and support internal and external meetings, as needed; draft, send, and coordinate legislative/regulatory meeting requests; take and appropriately file digital notes.
• Support the training of new international Committees on Publication, including scheduling, content distribution, and follow‑up.
• Support Government Relations Counsel (International) in communicating and coordinating with Committees on Publication, as needed.
• Manage U.S. Federal Office inbox and phone line, and draft responses to communications/inquiries; work with internal communications teams to maintain the Federal Office webpage and internal Committee on Publication webpage resources.
• Manage a variety of general administrative needs, including mail and deliveries, calendaring, travel logistics, vendor relations, office supplies and subscriptions, communication with internal departments and outside vendors/consultants, budget review, etc.
• Assist in researching relevant government relations topics as needed.
• May be called upon to assist with special projects for the U.S. Federal Office and/or the Boston Committee office, and assume responsibility for the development, administration and implementation of specific projects, as required.

Job Details

Description

Department: Committee on Publication

Summary

The Government Relations Associate reports to the Director of Federal Government Affairs in the U.S. Federal Office. The role supports the U.S. Federal Office and the work of international Committees on Publication, and is available to support US Committees in government relations work as needed, furthering the Committee on Publication mission, “to correct in a Christian manner impositions on the public in regard to Christian Science, injustices done Mrs. Eddy or members of this Church by the daily press, by periodicals or circulated literature of any sort.” The work includes supporting interactions with public figures in a Christian manner that help to provide a clearer and more accurate understanding of our Church and the practice of Christian Science. This position requires metaphysical and professional maturity and substantive contribution, including sound organization, project management, and communication skills. This position offers the opportunity to learn the functions and approach of a government affairs office.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Prayerfully support the Committee on Publication Government Relations activities and turn regularly to the Church Manual authority for each step in the work.
• Assist in monitoring U.S. national and international media and synthesizing data across a range of public policy topics.
• Collaborate in the review of talking points, advocacy materials, policy memos, historical research, reports, and other materials for internal and external use.
• Receive and digitally curate internal and external policy materials for both easy access and historical reference.
• Support U.S. federal legislative/regulatory scanning efforts by working with the federal scanning team to maintain an active record of bills/regulations of interest; organize and monitor tracked legislation in Salesforce and Google Workplace; run monthly U.S. Federal Office legislative/regulatory review meetings.
• Coordinate and support internal and external meetings, as needed; draft, send, and coordinate legislative/regulatory meeting requests; take and appropriately file digital notes.
• Support the training of new international Committees on Publication, including scheduling, content distribution, and follow‑up.
• Support Government Relations Counsel (International) in communicating and coordinating with Committees on Publication, as needed.
• Manage U.S. Federal Office inbox and phone line, and draft responses to communications/inquiries; work with internal communications teams to maintain the Federal Office webpage and internal Committee on Publication webpage resources.
• Manage a variety of general administrative needs, including mail and deliveries, calendaring, travel logistics, vendor relations, office supplies and subscriptions, communication with internal departments and outside vendors/consultants, budget review, etc.
• Assist in researching relevant government relations topics as needed.
• May be called upon to assist with special projects for the U.S. Federal Office and/or the Boston Committee office, and assume responsibility for the development, administration and implementation of specific projects, as required.

STAFF MANAGEMENT AND JOB CONTACTS

Reporting Relationships

Supervisor: Reports to the Director of U.S. Federal Government Affairs.

Supervises: None

Regular Contacts

This position has regular contact with the Director of Federal Government Affairs, U.S. Federal Office; Government Relations Counsels (International and US); the Government Relations Coordinator; employees of The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston; the Committee on Publication Manager’s Office staff; church members; legal/advocacy consultants; external vendors; and staff in the U.S. Federal Government.

Education/Experience

JOB REQUIREMENTS

BA or BS, and 3+ years of relevant work experience.

Knowledge/Skills

Committee on Publication work is Christian Science practice; this position requires a metaphysical approach to all work. The individual must also have excellent oral and written communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills, as well as experience working both collaboratively and independently. Must be highly efficient and organized, flexible, attentive to detail, able to maintain confidentiality, and able to handle multiple priorities simultaneously and creatively. Strong work ethic and impeccable professionalism are key. Proficiency in a language other than English is a plus. Also, must have commitment to and understanding of the purpose and role of the Committee on Publication as established in the Church Manual.

Technology Skills

Must have strong computer and technical skills and a willingness to learn new programs or applications as needed. Systems currently in use include Google Workplace, Microsoft 365, Adobe, Salesforce, M-files, Trello, Zoom, and WhatsApp.

Work Environment

Based in Washington, DC. This position regularly works in a close‑knit, collaborative office environment, with flexibility for hybrid work. Must be comfortable working with all levels of management and staff.

Engagement with Christian Science

Membership in The Mother Church and Primary Class instruction are required.

Pay range

$33.90 - $44.07 hourly

The pay ranges disclosed in our job postings are the compensation ranges the Church reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for a given position at the time of posting.

The offered salary will be determined by factors such as the applicant’s relevant education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities; and benchmarking, work location, and internal equity.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.