The Legislative Manager works directly with the Tribal Administrative and Executive staff, as well as Tribal Council. This position is responsible for developing, managing, and executing a comprehensive legislative strategy regarding policy and budget matters impacting the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe. The Legislative Manager will oversee the contracts and work product of the Tribe’s external lobbyists. This position will coordinate with the staff and Tribal Council to establish legislative priorities that align with the Tribe’s mission, vision, and values. The Legislative Manager reports directly to the Administrative Director of Judicial Services and is a non-supervisory position. This position is eligible for routine work and/or situational remote work as needed.
Duties Include:
Legislative Coordination:
- Assists staff to prepare for oral and written tribal consultation and testimony.
- Lead the development and formal approval of legislative priorities with Council and staff.
- Monitor legislation and budget matters at the local, state a federal level.
- Develop and support PGST voter turnout initiatives.
- Coordinate meetings with staff and leadership regularly to ensure collaboration of priorities.
Management:
- Procure contractors needed to assist the tribe with both Federal and State issues.
- Manage the legislative contractors and their engagement with the tribe.
- Manage payment and communication related to endorsements, testimony, consultation.
- Establish an electronic file storage system and keep records of legislative agendas, political endorsements, and testimony submitted on behalf of the Tribe.
- Manage all financial budgets related to the PGST legislative work.
Communication and Public Relations:
- Develop, manage and maintain positive, constructive and consistent working relationships and dialogue between the Tribe and legislative staff at all levels of government.
- Responsible for communicating to the Tribal Membership about the issues and candidates endorsed by the Tribe.
- Facilitate staff and tribal member trainings focused on building advocacy skills when working on State, Federal and Local issues.
- Research, outlines, and drafts summaries of political candidates and important visitors to the Tribal Council to help prepare issue statements and/or to identify important issues to discuss.
- Attend important local, state and federal political events and functions to learn and network and ensure PGST is present where issues are being discussed to further the legislative agenda.
Qualifications:
- Associates degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- 3-5 years experience working in public policy or government relations preferred.
- Previous professional writing experience preferred.
- Must have a high proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite programs;
- Must be organized, detail oriented, self-starting and adhere to strict timelines while managing multiple tasks while also being sensitive to confidential information and public perception.
- Must be highly dependable, friendly, professional, and have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work with a wide range of stakeholders.
- Washington State Driver’s license required.
Travel Requirements:
- Local, statewide and out of state travel will be required.
Physical Requirements:
- Regularly required to finger, handle, reach with hands and arms
- Frequently required to walk, sit, stand
- Occasionally required to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
- Normal audio and visual acuity
