Government Relations Officer

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; Clarksburg (MA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement: MA State Employee Pension/

Tuition Waivers & Discounts

Paid Time Off

Job summary

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is seeking a Government Relations Officer to manage the College's relationships with state and federal government entities. You will lead strategy, draft official correspondence, and build partnerships to advance the College's priorities.

The role requires a minimum 5+ years in government engagement, excellent writing and interpersonal skills, and the ability to travel regionally and nationally. A hybrid work arrangement is available with a 20-hour workweek.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years of government engagement experience.
• Strong relationship-building with state and federal officials.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Occasional nights/weekends and regional/national travel required.

Responsibilities

• Manage the College's Government Relations across legislative, funding, and issue-oriented interactions.
• Develop strategy to enhance state support and draft testimonies and letters.
• Cultivate relationships with MA officials and other higher-ed groups; coordinate with Governor's Office.
• Disseminate data to bolster support for programs and initiatives.
• Monitor legislation and provide policy recommendations with President's Cabinet.
• Oversee major capital project funding with state agencies like DCAMM.
• Identify government funding sources for strategic initiatives.
• Lead advocacy programs and partnerships for the College.
• Maintain a significant presence in Boston year-round.

Skills

Excellent writing

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office programs

Database use

Research tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database use

Research tools

Job description

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts:

At MCLA, we're here for all and focused on each of our students.Classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, andabout seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives.In every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed toelevate our students as individuals, leaders, and communicators,fully empowered to make their impressions on the world. In additionto our 132-year commitment to public education, we have fortifiedour dedication to equitable academic excellence. MCLA has appearedon U.S. News & World Report's list of Top Ten Public Collegesfor 11 consecutive years, earning the No. 6 spot on the list of TopPublic Liberal Arts Schools in the nation for 2026. The College'sfocus on affordable education and economic prosperity is reflectedin additional 2026 U.S. News rankings: No. 6 for Top Performer onSocial Mobility for liberal arts colleges in the state and No. 4for Top Performer on Social Mobility for public liberal artscolleges in the country. These rankings measure how well schoolsgraduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants. Learn more at www.mcla.edu

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Government Relations Officer is responsible for the managementand coordination of the Colleges' political relationships withstate and federal government entities. Serving as the College'sprimary contact for government matters, the officer pursuespublic-sector opportunities while collaborating with governmentstakeholders. The Officer will cultivate and maintain effective relationshipswith elected officials, government agencies, funding partners, andpolicymakers to advance the Colleges' strategic priorities andinstitutional interests. The Officer will work closely with the College's leadership team toconstantly assess, refine, and adjust a government relationsstrategy and will then leverage partnerships to progress theinstitution forward.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

President

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

None

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage the College's Government Relations efforts:

• Responsible for managing a wide range of complex andpolitically sensitive legislative, funding, and issue-orientedinteractions as well as campus initiatives designed to advance themission and priorities of the campus.
• Leads the development of strategy and tactics to enhance statesupport for the institution. Draft public testimony letters orother official correspondence to elected officials, governmentalagencies, rulemaking bodies, and boards.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with MA legislative andexecutive branch officials, as well as with other MA stateinstitutions of higher education and other related groups. Workwith the Office of the Governor regarding recommendations for theCouncil of Trustees.
• Disseminate relevant information and data to bolster supportfor various programs and initiatives of interest and benefit to theCollege and the Commonwealth.
• In collaboration with senior campus leadership, this positionshares responsibility for elevating the visibility and publicfunding for the campus. Monitors and evaluates legislation andregulations impacting the college, creating policy recommendationswith the President's Cabinet.
• Act as MCLA's primary contact for major capital project fundingwith state agencies such as DCAMM, to ensure compliance withproposal processes and heighten MCLA's visibility with thoseorganizations.
• Works diligently and creatively to find government fundingsources for College's strategic initiatives.
• Establishes overall strategy for advocacy programs, creatingand leveraging partnerships and collaboration opportunities onbehalf of the College.
• Requires a significant presence in Boston throughout thecalendar year. Monitors and evaluates legislation and regulationsimpacting the college, creating policy recommendations withCabinet.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree in related fieldpreferred
• Higher education experience is desirable
• A minimum 5 + years of government engagement experience
• Demonstrated relationship building with government officialsboth state and federal
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, and organizationalskills
• Ability to quickly react to resource development opportunitiesin a rapidly changing environment to meet the needs of shiftingpriorities
• Demonstrated skill in tracking projects from initialidentification through conclusion of project or tosustainability
• Demonstrated effectiveness in working with diverse colleagues,constituents, and stakeholders
• Strong technological skills, including proficiency in commonMicrosoft Office programs, database use, and research tools
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends, and to travelregionally and nationally to accomplish the goals of theposition

Additional Information:

This is a part-time, permanent benefited position, working 20 hoursper week. This position has the option for a hybrid work schedule. Salary for this position is $50,000-$55,000 per year.

Position starts on 12/01/2026.

Employee Benefits:

• Health Insurance: MCLA offers a variety of HMO, POS, and PPO-type health insurance plans for eligible employees. Coverage iseffective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage iseffective immediately.
• Retirement: The MA State Employee Retirement System provideseligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-yearvesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligibleemployees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5%employer matching contribution.
• Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, includingspouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA statecolleges, community colleges, and universities.
• Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generousvacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.

Until further notice, in response to the Presidential proclamation,issued on September 19, 2025, imposing a significant fee on theentry of individuals with new H-1B visas, this position is noteligible for visa sponsorship.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americanswith Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations toqualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should youneed to request a reasonable accommodation for the applicationprocess, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of HumanResources.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed tofostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, andinclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricularand employment opportunities for all applicants, students, andemployees regardless of race, color, religion, national origin,age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity,gender expression, genetic information, marital or parental status,veteran status, or membership in any other legally protected class.Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on thebasis of sex in any educational program or activity that theyoperate, which extends to admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and othernon-discrimination policies may be directed to MCLA's Interim Title IX and Equal Opportunity Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Lucas Morrill
Interim Title IX and EO Coordinator
375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247
Telephone: [phone]
[e-mail]
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: [phone]; FAX: [phone]; TDD [phone]
[e-mail]