Salary Range: $73,000.00 To 90,000.00 Annually

Position Summary

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring a Government Affairs Manager to join our Utah team. The Government Affairs Manager will be responsible for leading WRA’s legislative, regulatory, and administrative advocacy efforts in the state of Utah with direction and guidance from a senior team member. This position will work closely with WRA’s program and marketing and communications staff to advance innovative legislative and administrative policy solutions critical to addressing the state’s most pressing conservation challenges. The Utah Government Affairs Manager will focus on advancing climate and conservation policies across WRA’s three program areas. The Government Affairs team is seeking a highly motivated strategic thinker who possesses sound judgment, strong decision-making skills, and political acumen.     

About Western Resource Advocates

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Location

The position can work remotely from the Salt Lake City area, from WRA’s Salt Lake City office, or a hybrid remote and in-office setting. 

Responsibilities 

• Work collaboratively with WRA’s program and communications staff to develop and implement public policy advocacy efforts with legislative and administrative decision makers in the state
• Coordinate with WRA’s policy and marketing and communications staff to craft communications strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively conveys WRA’s advocacy positions to stakeholders and decision makers
• Build and maintain relationships with elected leaders and other decision-makers, and serve as a liaison between them and WRA staff with direction and guidance from a senior team member 
• Identify and manage effective coalitions of diverse partners in the region to advance WRA’s priorities
• In coordination with program staff, read and analyze the potential impact of proposed legislation and administrative policies with direction and guidance from a senior team member 
• Identify, recruit, and organize diverse group of opinion leaders in the state to engage with decision-makers in support of WRA’s policies and positions with direction and guidance from a senior team member 
• Effectively communicate complex policy concepts to a diverse set of audiences
• Monitor and track relevant state and local policies, rules, and regulations  
• Frequent travel to state capital during legislative session

Required Qualifications

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered.   For example, the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

• A minimum of 4-years proven experience developing and executing strategic government affairs, external affairs, communications, and/or advocacy campaigns   
• Understanding of, and familiarity with, local state politics and policy makers, especially as they relate to conservation and climate change policies
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with decision makers to advance WRA’s policy objectives
• Experience building coalitions with a diverse group of stakeholders to advance WRA’s public policy objectives 
• Comfort and skill in communicating with a variety of constituencies and audiences
• Ability to apply communication skills to persuade, influence or lead others on complex subjects
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail and follow‐through 
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and knowledge centering equity in policy development
• Existing relationships with decision makers and influencers in WRA’s region

Physical Requirements

• A typical office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise or adverse environmental issues.
• Prolonged periods of time at a desk and working on a computer.
• Position requires some travel by automobile, airplane, etc.  

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Travel to meetings, conferences, and other work-related events is required within the relevant state and specifically to the capital city. This is in addition to travel required for retreats, and other internal organizational meetings within WRA’s region (approximately 10% to 25% depending on the location of work). 

Salary And Benefits

The salary range is $73,000 to $90,000; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k)-retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive seventeen days paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, twelve paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. Employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is full-time exempt.

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled with priority review beginning on Monday, May 27, 2024.

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Learn more about our commitment here: https://wraoldsite.wpengine.com/#commitment-to-diversity.

Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.

Apply To Be WRA’s Government Affairs Manager!

Required Qualifications

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered.   For example, the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

• A minimum of 4-years proven experience developing and executing strategic government affairs, external affairs, communications, and/or advocacy campaigns   
• Understanding of, and familiarity with, local state politics and policy makers, especially as they relate to conservation and climate change policies
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with decision makers to advance WRA’s policy objectives
• Experience building coalitions with a diverse group of stakeholders to advance WRA’s public policy objectives 
• Comfort and skill in communicating with a variety of constituencies and audiences
• Ability to apply communication skills to persuade, influence or lead others on complex subjects
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail and follow‐through 
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience and knowledge centering equity in policy development
• Existing relationships with decision makers and influencers in WRA’s region

Careers at WRA - Western Resource Advocates