Public Affairs Advisor Senior

Arizona Public Service - APS; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Public Service is seeking a Senior Public Affairs Advisor to provide strategic guidance on state policy priorities. You will build relationships with state legislators, executive agencies, and external stakeholders, and coordinate advocacy strategies to advance the company’s objectives.

The role requires interpreting business requirements and communicating complex policy issues, with statewide travel and collaboration across internal teams. Hybrid work and strong leadership are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in a related field with significant public policy focus.
• Experience in government affairs, public policy, or legislative affairs.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience if no degree.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice and engagement on public policy priorities.
• Build and maintain relationships with state legislators and officials.
• Develop and implement engagement strategies with lawmakers and agencies.
• Monitor policy developments and assess impacts on operations.
• Coordinate with internal units to identify policy priorities and advocacy needs.
• Represent the company before governmental entities and industry groups.
• Prepare briefing materials, policy analyses, and testimony for stakeholders.
• Advise executives in meetings with elected officials and accompany them when needed.
• Identify policy risks and opportunities and develop mitigation plans.
• Coordinate with consultants and lobbyists to align advocacy efforts.
• Support stakeholder engagement related to legislative and regulatory matters.

Skills

Public policy

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic communication

Policy analysis

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy or related field

Job description

Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

Summary

The Public Affairs Advisor Senior provide strategic advice, counsel, and engagement in support of the company's public policy, legislative, regulatory, and executive branch priorities. Work closely with Public Policy Office leadership to develop and execute strategies to build and maintain productive relationships with state elected officials, executive branch agencies, regulatory stakeholders, key political figures and external stakeholder groups. Serve as a trusted advisor to company leadership on public policy issues affecting the business and support advocacy efforts that advance the company's strategic objectives.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Policy or related field
• Plus a minimum of eight (8) years of experience in government affairs, public affairs, public policy, legislative affairs, community relations, grassroots advocacy, campaigns, or related industries.
• In lieu of degree, 12 years' equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge Or Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and written communication, negotiation, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to interpret business requirements and develop strategies that support organizational priorities.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with elected officials, political figures, government agencies, trade associations, and external stakeholders.
• Position involves statewide travel.

Major Accountabilities

• Provide strategic advice, counsel, and engagement in support of the company's legislative, regulatory, stakeholder engagement and public policy priorities.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with state legislators, legislative leadership, executive branch officials, grassroots political officials and key organizational stakeholders.
• Develop and implement engagement strategies with state legislators, legislative leadership, executive branch officials, grassroots political officials and key organizational stakeholders.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and political developments and assess potential impacts on company operations, customers, and strategic initiatives.
• Coordinate with internal business units to identify policy priorities and develop advocacy strategies that advance organizational objectives.
• Represent the company before governmental entities, political party leadership, industry associations, stakeholder groups, and public forums.
• Prepare briefing materials, advocacy content, policy analyses, presentations and testimony for internal and external consumption.
• Advise and support company executives and staff in meetings with elected officials, government agencies, and other external stakeholders, and accompany executives as necessary during high-level engagements and negotiations.
• Identify emerging public policy risks and opportunities and develop strategies to mitigate risks and advance company interests.
• Coordinate with external consultants, contract lobbyists, industry partners, and trade associations to ensure alignment of advocacy efforts and strategic objectives.
• Support stakeholder engagement efforts related to legislative, regulatory, or governmental matters as needed.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

Hybrid

Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person). In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in-person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location.

• Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).
• Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.
• Role types are subject to change based on business need.