Government Relations Officer

Berkshirejobs; North Adams (MA); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Plan

Tuition Waivers

Paid Time Off

Hybrid schedule

Job summary

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts seeks an experienced Government Relations Officer to manage the College’s relationships with state and federal entities. The role leads strategy, drafts official correspondence, and collaborates with leadership to secure funding and visibility.

The Officer builds partnerships with government stakeholders, monitors legislation, and travels regionally/nationally to advance institutional priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; Master’s degree in related field preferred.
• Minimum 5+ years of government engagement experience.
• Proven relationships with state and federal government officials.
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to adapt rapidly to changing opportunities and priorities.
• Ability to track projects from identification to completion or sustainability.
• Experience working with diverse colleagues, constituents, and stakeholders.
• Strong tech skills including common Microsoft Office programs, databases, and research tools.
• Willingness to travel regionally and nationally; occasional nights/weekends.

Responsibilities

• Manage the College's Government Relations efforts and related interactions.
• Lead strategy development to enhance state support and funding.
• Cultivate relationships with MA officials and other higher‑ed institutions.
• Disseminate data to bolster support for programs and initiatives.
• Elevate visibility and public funding; monitor legislation and craft policy recommendations.
• Act as primary contact for capital project funding with state agencies.

Skills

Relationship building

Communication

Organizational skills

Adaptability

Project tracking

Travel availability

Microsoft Office

Database usage

Research tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database use

Research tools

Job description

Location: North Adams, MA Category: Administrative Job Type: Part-time Posted On: Tue Sep 22 2026

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Government Relations Officer is responsible for the management and coordination of the Colleges' political relationships with state and federal government entities. Serving as the College's primary contact for government matters, the officer pursues public-sector opportunities while collaborating with government stakeholders.

The Officer will cultivate and maintain effective relationships with elected officials, government agencies, funding partners, and policymakers to advance the Colleges' strategic priorities and institutional interests.

The Officer will work closely with the College's leadership team to constantly assess, refine, and adjust a government relations strategy and will then leverage partnerships to progress the institution 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 and politically sensitive legislative, funding, and issue-oriented interactions as well as campus initiatives designed to advance the mission and priorities of the campus.
• Leads the development of strategy and tactics to enhance state support for the institution. Draft public testimony letters or other official correspondence to elected officials, governmental agencies, rulemaking bodies, and boards.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with MA legislative and executive branch officials, as well as with other MA state institutions of higher education and other related groups. Work with the Office of the Governor regarding recommendations for the Council of Trustees.
• Disseminate relevant information and data to bolster support for various programs and initiatives of interest and benefit to the College and the Commonwealth.
• In collaboration with senior campus leadership, this position shares responsibility for elevating the visibility and public funding for the campus. Monitors and evaluates legislation and regulations impacting the college, creating policy recommendations with the President's Cabinet.
• Act as MCLA's primary contact for major capital project funding with state agencies such as DCAMM, to ensure compliance with proposal processes and heighten MCLA's visibility with those organizations.
• Works diligently and creatively to find government funding sources for College's strategic initiatives.
• Establishes overall strategy for advocacy programs, creating and leveraging partnerships and collaboration opportunities on behalf of the College.
• Requires a significant presence in Boston throughout the calendar year. Monitors and evaluates legislation and regulations impacting the college, creating policy recommendations with Cabinet.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required, Master's degree in related field preferred
• Higher education experience is desirable
• A minimum 5 + years of government engagement experience
• Demonstrated relationship building with government officials both state and federal
• Excellent writing, interpersonal, and organizational skills
• Ability to quickly react to resource development opportunities in a rapidly changing environment to meet the needs of shifting priorities
• Demonstrated skill in tracking projects from initial identification through conclusion of project or to sustainability
• Demonstrated effectiveness in working with diverse colleagues, constituents, and stakeholders
• Strong technological skills, including proficiency in common Microsoft Office programs, database use, and research tools
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends, and to travel regionally and nationally to accomplish the goals of the position

Additional Information

This is a part-time, permanent benefited position, working 20 hours per 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 is effective on the 1st of the month following the date of hire. Exceptions to employees hired on the 1st of the month, coverage is effective immediately.
Retirement: The MA State Employee Retirement System provides eligible employees with a retirement pension following a 10-year vesting period. In lieu of the retirement pension, eligible employees may select the Optional Retirement Plan with a maximum 5% employer matching contribution.
Tuition Waivers & Discounts: eligible employees, including spouses and dependent children, receive reduced tuition at MA state colleges, community colleges, and universities.
Paid Time Off: employees receive 12 paid holidays and generous vacation, personal, and sick leave benefits.

Until further notice, in response to the Presidentialproclamation, issued on September 19, 2025, imposing a significant fee on the entry of individuals with new H-1Bvisas, this position is not eligible forvisasponsorship.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. Should you need to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please email Brenda Stokes, Executive Director of Human Resources.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is deeply committed to fostering a community of excellence, equity, diversity, and inclusion. We provide equal access to educational, co-curricular and employment opportunities for all applicants, students, and employees 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 the basis of sex in any educational program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment.

Inquiries about Title IX, Equal Opportunity, or ADA/504 and other non-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]