PUCT, Director, Governmental Affairs (Director III - IV)

Public Utility Commission of Texas; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Telecommute option after probation

Job summary

Public Utility Commission of Texas seeks an experienced Director of Government Relations to lead the External Affairs/Government Relations teams. You will coordinate the agency’s legislative activities, monitor bills, and provide strategic guidance to leadership and staff.

The ideal candidate has extensive Texas legislative experience, strong analytic and communication skills, and a track record of building relationships with elected officials, stakeholders, and departments.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in political science, public administration, public affairs, government, or a related field.
• Seven years of paid, full-time, progressively responsible experience with the Texas Legislature in legislative affairs, governmental affairs, governmental relations, public policy, or related legislative work.
• Experience supervising, leading, or directing the work of staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Government Relations Department and coordinate the agency’s legislative activities.
• Serve as a key liaison with the Texas Legislature, elected officials and staff, governmental entities, and other stakeholders.
• Monitor and analyze legislation; coordinate agency responses to legislative inquiries; provide guidance on legislative matters.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Strong communication skills

Leadership experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in political science, public administration, public affairs, government, or a related field

Job description

Agency Information
The Public Utility Commission of Texas: Your Gateway to a Fulfilling Career!
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS
Applications Must Contain a Complete Employment History, Including

• Job title
• Dates of employment
• Name of employer
• Supervisor's name and phone number
• Description of duties performed, demonstrating how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position

bImportant: Resumes do not replace the required information on the CAPPS State of Texas application. Applications stating, "See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted. The employment history provided on your resume must be consistent with the employment history on your application. Material, omissions, discrepancies, or conflicting employment information between the resume and State of Texas Application will result in an incomplete application and will not receive further consideration for the position. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all required information and supporting documentation are complete, accurate, and submitted at the time of application.

Applicants must meet all required minimum qualifications to be considered for this position. The application must clearly demonstrate how the applicant meets the required minimum qualifications. Failure to provide sufficient information to verify minimum qualifications may result in the application not being further considered.

Required Documents

• Letter of Interest
• Resume

Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicant Release Form Website Link
WORK IN TEXAS APPLICANTS
The Public Utility Commission regulates the state’s electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implementing respective legislation and offering customer assistance in resolving customer complaints.
Join a Team Dedicated to Public Service
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of Texans? We are committed to building a highly skilled workforce. Our team boasts a wide range of expertise, from legal and engineering professionals to dedicated administrative staff. What unites us is our dedication to serving the public and our commitment to protecting customers, fostering competition, and promoting high quality utility infrastructure
Make a Difference with Us
We recognize the importance of motivated and knowledgeable staff to accomplish our critical mission. If you're eager to contribute to ensuring compliance within the electric, telecommunications, and water and sewer utilities, we want to hear from you! A career at the PUC will not only expand your professional horizons but also make you part of a highly motivated, technically skilled, and supportive team environment.
Competitive Benefits Package
In addition to a positive and family-friendly work culture, the PUC offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees.
For a Detailed Overview, Please Visit
https://www.puc.texas.gov/HumanResources/Home/Benefits.
DIVISION ¿ EXTERNAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT ¿ GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
About External Affairs
The External Affairs Division serves as the PUCT's voice and primary connection to the public, stakeholders, and policymakers. Focused on transparency, education, and engagement, the division supports agency-wide priorities through strategic communication, outreach initiatives, and coordination with the Texas Legislature. Whether informing Texans about utility regulations or guiding industry stakeholders through compliance, External Affairs plays a critical role in advancing the Commission's mission.
Communications
Communications serve as the eyes, ears, and most importantly, the voice of the PUCT. Our top priority is educating and informing Texans about the duties, responsibilities, and actions of our agency. We do this daily in many ways, including the use of multiple social media channels, media engagement, website management, infographic and collateral materials creation, audio/video and photography production, persuasive writing, media and social media monitoring and other tools.
Filed documents include pleadings, testimony and briefs, affidavits, requests for information, rulemakings, registrations, tariffs, certificates of convenience and necessity, sale, transfer, and mergers, interconnection agreements, ADAD's, and annual reports. Adhering to PUC Procedural rules 22.71 and 22.72, staff reviews filings and evaluates documents for compliance with Federal and State Privacy Laws prior to Central Records processing. Central Records processes confidential materials, workshop and Open Meeting transcripts, and agency publications, and works with the Financial Resources division on billing and payments for registrations, copies, and publications.
Governmental Relations
Governmental Relations centralizes and facilitates the Commission’s communication with the Texas Legislature, Legislative Offices, constituents, and other agencies.
Office of Public Engagement
The Office of Public Engagement helps the public participate in all aspects of the PUCT’s work. The actions of the PUCT impact the safety and pocketbooks of Texans, but the work of the agency can be very technical and difficult to understand. The Office of Public Engagement serves as a resource to the public to explain PUCT processes and instruct Texans on how to participate in rulemakings, rate cases, hearings, and other important activities. The Office of Public Engagement also advises the Commission on how to make the PUCT more accessible to all Texans.
Utility Outreach
Utility Outreach provides water and sewer utilities with information on legislative updates and how to comply with rules and regulations and handle customer complaints.
Utility Outreach helps the Texas water and sewer utility industry navigate the rules and regulations that mark the path to compliance and commercial viability, providing information ranging from customer service best practices to service area and legislative updates.
Utility Outreach’s mission is to provide outreach and education to retail water and sewer public utilities to promote regulatory compliance, enhance cybersecurity and preservice their financial and managerial integrity.
Lead the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Government Relations efforts and help guide its engagement with the Texas Legislature.
External Affairs is seeking an experienced legislative professional to serve as the Director of Government Relations. The Director will lead the Government Relations Department and coordinate the agency’s legislative activities, serving as a key liaison with the Texas Legislature, elected officials and their staff, governmental entities, and other stakeholders.
The Director will oversee legislative initiatives and strategies; monitor and analyze legislation; coordinate agency responses to legislative inquiries; and provide guidance and recommendations on legislative matters affecting the agency. The position will also coordinate preparation for legislative hearings and meetings, monitor interim studies and enacted legislation through implementation, and work closely with agency leadership and divisions on legislative priorities, required reports, and statutory deadlines.
The ideal candidate is an experienced Texas legislative professional with extensive knowledge of the legislative process, demonstrated leadership experience, strong analytical and communication skills, and the ability to build effective working relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, agency leadership, and other stakeholders.
If you are ready to bring your legislative expertise and leadership skills to a role supporting the important work of the PUCT, we encourage you to apply.
The ideal candidate should possess the following minimum qualifications. Applicants must meet all the required minimum qualifications to be considered for this position.

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university in political science, public administration, public affairs, government, or a related field.
• Seven years of paid, full-time, progressively responsible experience with the Texas Legislature in legislative affairs, governmental affairs, governmental relations, public policy, or related legislative work.
• Experience supervising, leading, or directing the work of staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing and implementing legislative strategies and initiatives.
• Experience analyzing legislation and preparing bill analyses, legislative reports, or other legislative materials.
• Experience monitoring legislation throughout the legislative process and communicating legislative developments to leadership or other stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating with legislators, legislative staff, governmental entities, or other stakeholders on legislative or public policy matters.

WORK SCHEDULE
The PUCT operates on a standard work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Employees may request an alternative work schedule in accordance with the PUCT's Alternative Work Schedule Policy. Approval of such requests is based on business needs and management discretion and is not guaranteed.
Newly hired employees are required to complete a waiting period before becoming eligible to telecommute. After 30 days of employment and with supervisor approval, a new hire may telecommute up to one day per week. After 90 days of employment and with supervisor approval, a new hire may telecommute up to two days per week. Supervisors may require new hires to report to the office more frequently if necessary to support training, performance, or business needs.VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen with a Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) or additional duties that fall in the fields listed in the below link who meet the minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply.
The MOS codes applicable to this position can be accessed at:
MILITARY CROSSWALK FOR DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT RELATIIONS
If you qualify for a Veteran Employment Preference, it is mandatory that you provide the required documentation with your State of Texas Application. Documentation must be provided before a Veteran Preference can be granted. Required documentation is as follows: Veteran DD Form 214; Surviving Spouse of a Veteran who has not remarried Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300; Orphan of a Veteran who was killed during active duty Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300.
A detailed job description can be viewed on our website:
https://puc.texas.gov/HumanResources/Home/Jobs
Starting salary will be determined based on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience within the advertised salary range. The salary of an ERS retiree or non-contributing member may be 6% less than the recommended salary.
REMARKS

• Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The timing of application review and interviews may vary based on the needs of the agency and the recruitment process.
• All information provided in connection with an employment application must be accurate and complete. Any misstatement, falsification, or omission of information may result in refusal to hire or, if hired, termination.
• If the position requires it, licensure as a Professional Engineer or to practice law in Texas will be verified through the Professional Board of Engineers or the State Bar of Texas for the selected candidate.
• A satisfactory driving record is necessary for driving a state or personal vehicle for agency business. Selected candidates will have their driving records evaluated according to the Commission’s Traffic Safety policy.
• For males born on or after January 1, 1960, the PUC will verify Selective Service registration through the online Selective Service System. Males born after January 1, 1960, who are not registered must provide proof of exemption from the Selective Service registration requirement.
• The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) participates in the EVerify+ system to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.
• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of the EVerify+ employment eligibility process.
• The PUCT does not have the ability to sponsor employees for work authorization and does not have a formal training program to participate in the STEM OPT extension program sponsored through U.S. Universities.
• Your application for a position with access to sensitive systems, confidential records, or information related to critical infrastructure facilities may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to Texas Government Code 411.14031 and Texas Utilities Code 12.107 after a conditional offer of employment is made. Your consent for this criminal background check will be requested following a conditional offer of employment.
• The Public Utility Regulatory Act imposes certain restrictions on PUCT employees’ investments, professional activities, and relationships with public utilities, with some limited exceptions. PUCT employees are also prohibited from having a financial interest in a public utility, an affiliate of a public utility, and a person a significant portion of whose business consists of furnishing goods or services to public utilities or affiliates.
• The PUCT has a Post-Employment Restriction—details furnished upon request.
• The PUCT is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Internal Applicant Eligibility Requirements

• Newly hired employees must successfully complete their six-month probationary period and have a satisfactory performance review on file before becoming eligible to apply for other positions within the PUCT.
• Employees who transfer to a new position or division must remain in their new role for at least six months and have a satisfactory performance review before applying for another position within the PUCT.
• Employees are not eligible to apply for positions within their classification series in their current division. This restriction does not apply for supervisory positions within the same classification series. Advancement within a classification series in the same division occurs through the promotional process based on demonstrated performance at the high level.