Legislative Liaison

Missouri Department of Conservation; Jefferson City (MO); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Missouri Department of Conservation seeks a Legislative Liaison to represent the agency on legislative matters and coordinate with state and federal partners. You will manage hearings, prepare testimony, and communicate Department positions on policies and conservation programs.

The role requires building relationships with lawmakers, agencies, and external groups, plus delivering public presentations and staying abreast of relevant regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Political Science, Public Affairs, Public Administration, Public Policy, Communications, Resource Management, Biological Sciences or closely related field.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Department on legislative matters before the General Assembly, Governor’s Office, and other agencies.
• Lead liaison with General Assembly members and Executive Branch; coordinate with federal/state groups on conservation issues.
• Work with State Legislature on hearings and fiscal issues; develop legislative and communication strategies.
• Prepare testimony for committees and present to legislators; track bills affecting conservation programs.
• Coordinate Department positions on legislative and public policy matters; communicate with officials.
• Attend hearings, monitor floor activity, and gather input to support Department programs.
• Moderate external relations with conservation and agricultural groups; engage in public speaking engagements.

Skills

Legislative liaison

Public policy

Interagency coordination

Oral and written communication

Public speaking

Strategic planning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in a related field

Job description

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Closing Date: October 30, 2026

Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC.

Summary/Objective

Responsible for representation of the Department of Conservation on legislative matters before the General Assembly, the Governor’s Office, other federal and state government agencies, and conservation-focused associations and organizations.

• Serves as lead liaison with members of the General Assembly and Executive Branch and provides interagency coordination with various federal, state, and non-governmental interest groups on conservation issues.
• Works directly with State Legislature on legislative hearings and fiscal issues.
• Manages and develops legislative and communication strategies on introduced legislation.
• Plans content and development of presentations and materials for legislative committees.
• Responds to legislator inquiries for information and assistance on Department programs, services and policies.
• Coordinates appropriate responses to inquiries with Department leadership andBranchChiefs.
• Prepares and presents testimony for legislative committee hearings and legislative committees.
• Attends legislative hearings and closely tracks legislative floor activity and reviews and tracks bills filed in the General Assembly regarding impacts on Department and conservation programs.
• Coordinates Department positions on legislative and public policy matters.
• Provides effective communications with elected officials about Department programs and natural resource management.

Ancillary Job Duties

• Assists in obtaining legislative authorization for the Department’s operational and capital improvement bills.
• Coordinates with other Deputy Directors and the Chief Financial Officer to develop the annual agency budget that advances priorities of Commission-approved strategic plan.
• Organizes special legislative field trips and events focused on increasing the General Assembly’s understanding and support of Department services; performs other duties as assigned.
• Employ meaningful measures to solicit and evaluate external input to improve Department processes and accountability.
• Monitors and evaluates state and federal regulated activities that have the potential to impact fish, forest and wildlife resources to minimize negative consequences to those resources.
• Coordination and relationship building with conservation and agricultural groups, monitor state and federal regulations, coordinate with other branches outside my responsibility.
• Public speaking engagements with external partners.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Political Science, Public Affairs, Public Administration, Public Policy, Communications, Resource Management, Biological Sciences or closely related field.
• At least six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience and/or administrative capacity.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of principles and practices of administrative functions (outreach and policy).
• Knowledge of public relations practices sufficient to support others in understanding and meeting the Department’s mission.
• Skills in human resources management principles and practices sufficient to address critical employee relations issues.
• Skills in strategic and operational planning and budgeting sufficient to ensure Department-wide focus on the allocation and appropriate use of financial resources.
• Knowledge of environmental and natural resources management matters relative to fisheries, forestry, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and enforcement sufficient to ensure continued Department success.
• Ability to make independent decisions and act quickly and decisively on the determined course of action.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of all types of groups, Department staff and the general public.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member and assist in resolving conflicts.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with Department personnel and the general public.
• Ability to develop and present programs to individuals and groups.
• Regularly work in a standard office environment.

Physical Abilities

• Remain stationary up to 70% of the time.
• Regularly communicate and exchange accurate information.
• Constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery.
• Clarity of vision at 20 feet or more. Clarity of vision at 20 inches or less. Three-dimensional vision- ability to judge distance and space relationships. Precise hand-eye coordination. Ability to identify and distinguish colors.
• Regularly lift up to 5 pounds.
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function.

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required. The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.

Exemption Status/Special Notes

This position has been determined to be Exemptaccording to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy.

Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed.

• MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.

The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.

Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.

All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.