Legislative Affairs Specialist

City of Bloomington, Indiana; Bloomington (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Bloomington, Indiana seeks a Legislative Affairs Specialist to monitor and analyze local, state, and federal legislation. You will draft summaries, prepare testimony, and develop policy positions to advance the administration’s goals for economic vitality, housing, safety, and openness in government.

Responsibilities include attending meetings, researching proposals, and collaborating with the Mayor’s Office and Legal Department.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Public/Business Administration or Political Science (or closely related field).
• Ability to analyze complex legislative materials and discourse.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Tracks and reviews proposed bills, amendments, regulations, and hearings at local level and, when relevant, state/federal level.
• Attends or reviews minutes of City Council, boards, and commissions; creates summaries and flags items for action.
• Prepares reports, briefs, memos, or testimony on potential impact, benefits or risks of proposals.
• Develops position statements and strategies on policies or initiatives.

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration

Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration

Bachelor's Degree in Political Science

Job description

The City of Bloomington has an exciting job opportunity as a Legislative Affairs Specialist. We invite diverse talent to join our team and help advance our mission focusing on economic vitality, attainable housing, public safety, progress partnerships, inclusion, open government, sustainability, transportation, and quality of place. Come join us and be part of shaping the vibrant future of Bloomington, Indiana.

Incumbent performs a range of duties related to monitoring, researching, summarizing, drafting, and analyzing local, state, and federal legislation and proposals to support the attainment of the administration’s vision and goals for the City of Bloomington.

This job description is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive listing of all job functions performed. The following are essential duties for this position, performed with or without reasonable accommodation:

Primary

Tracks and reviews proposed bills, amendments, regulations, and hearings at the local level, as well as, when relevant, at the state and federal level.

Attends, watches, or reviews minutes of City Council, County Council, and various boards and commissions. Creates summaries, flags relevant items for action or awareness, and performs additional research as needed.

Prepares reports, briefs, memos, or testimony on the potential impact, benefits, or risks of legislative proposals.

Develops position statements and strategies on specific policies or initiatives such as lobbying, coalition building, grassroots mobilization, or media outreach.

Researches and drafts policy, upon request, for Cabinet members.

Collaborates with Cabinet and the Legal Department to facilitate City legislation scheduling on behalf of the administration. Assists with recruiting Council sponsors. Proofreads legislation and memos.

Prepares agenda and minutes for Cabinet meetings and assembles biweekly Cabinet reports. Prepares presentations, reports, and briefings for Cabinet.

Reviews applications, interviews candidates, and recommends mayoral appointments to boards and commissions. Collaborates with board liaisons, Legal, and the Deputy Clerk of Communications & Outreach on boards and commissions issues. Plans the annual Boards & Commissions Appreciation event.

Communicates and collaborates with stakeholders, policymakers, staff, media, or the public on legislative issues and positions.

Stays updated on current trends, developments, and best practices in local government.

Performs related and all requested duties as assigned.

Secondary

Assists in execution of promotional Office of the Mayor City events such as luncheons and receptions and greets special visitors.

Serves as the Mayor representative on various City and community committees, as necessary.

Provides overflow staffing support for front desk and Office of the Mayor correspondence.

Minimum knowledge equivalent to a Bachelor Degree in Public or Business Administration, Political Science or a closely related field.

Ability to comprehend, restate, and analyze complex legislative materials and discourse.

Ability to research, compile, and analyze data.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in written briefings and reports, and to maintain confidentiality of information.

Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in communications and interactions.

Ability to effectively communicate with City officials, community leaders, agencies, and the public in a tactful and courteous manner and present a positive image for the City and the Office of the Mayor during varied situations and circumstances.

Skilled in business English, grammar, punctuation, spelling, public relations and telephone etiquette and business/political protocol.

Proficient in the use of office technology and software such as Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, etc.

Difficulty of Work

Incumbent performs duties in a modern office environment with no unusual physical demands.

Work schedule may include evening and weekend events. Duties require the incumbent to act as the representative of the Mayor and maintain a high level of decorum, often in the face of escalated complaints.

Personal Work Relationships

Incumbent maintains daily contact with the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, elected city and county officials, department staff, other city employees, and members and organizations of the general public for a variety of purposes.