Cws Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $143,397.17 - $197,171.10 Annually
Location : Clean Water Services Central, OR
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 26-51
Department: Office of the Chief Executive Officer
Program: Government Affairs
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/21/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
The Position
The Office of the General Manager is seeking a Government Relations Manager in the Government Affairs program. This position leads government relations, legislative and administrative policy development and analysis, and state and federal legislative advocacy to advance Clean Water Services (CWS) priorities and objectives. Collaborates and communicates effectively with all levels of the organization on policy analysis and development. Represents CWS to outside entities and policymakers. Advocates for CWS priorities and policy objectives before state and federal legislative bodies and agencies.
Candidates who are selected to move forward in the recruitment process will be invited to self-schedule their interview. Please be sure to check your email for status updates.
Essential Functions
(This section outlines the essential functions assigned to the position. The essential functions listed below are not intended to include all duties that may be assigned to this classification. CWS may modify, add, or remove duties or functions at its discretion.)

1. Leads annual development of legislative agendas, including internal staff coordination to identify issues and recommend policy positions; drafts state and federal legislative priorities and guiding principles incorporating Board feedback; participates in Board work sessions to solicit feedback on draft agendas; and presents finalized agendas to the Board, key partners, and policymakers.
2. Evaluates, prioritizes, and tracks state and federal legislation, rulemaking, and policy initiatives with potential impact on CWS.
3. Conducts detailed legislative analysis on proposed legislation, in collaboration with subject matter experts, and prepares reports on legislative outcomes, including new or modified laws, rules, or regulations that may impact CWS.
4. Provides input and recommendations to the Leadership Team and Board of Directors on legislative, regulatory, and intergovernmental issues relevant to CWS.
5. Collaborates with internal subject matter experts and leadership; navigates and resolves potentially conflicting priorities or approaches; and develops coherent and consistent positions on evolving issues on behalf of CWS.
6. Manages and directs consultants supporting state and federal government affairs objectives. Oversees consultant contracts, including managing budgets, defining scope, developing requests for proposals, and managing the consultant selection process.
7. Develops and executes legislative and advocacy strategies, including coalition engagement and relationship management with policymakers, to advance CWS priorities.
8. Produces strategic communication materials, including policy briefs, testimony, and fact sheets, to educate and inform key policymakers and stakeholders.
9. Identifies and evaluates risks and benefits associated with policy engagement or strategies, including analysis of CWS considerations and impacts on key relationships or partnerships.
10. Cultivates and maintains relationships with elected officials, agency leaders, legislative and agency staff, and other key policymakers at the state and federal levels.
11. Coordinates educational outreach activities, including tours, to enhance policymakers' understanding of CWS' state and federal legislative priorities, operations, water quality permitting, and infrastructure needs.
12. Delivers effective verbal presentations to the Board, legislators, Clean Water Advisory Commission, and other key stakeholders.
13. Creates and maintains a positive, engaged, equitable, and inclusive workplace culture within the department, to improve the work groups' understanding and recognition of diversity in the workplace, and foster multidisciplinary and integrated team approaches.
14. Drives a CWS or personal vehicle for work-related purposes.

Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Public policy environments, including political, regulatory, and intergovernmental systems at the federal, state, and local levels
• Federal, state, and local legislative and governmental processes
• Intergovernmental relations, political dynamics, and public sector operations
• Policy analysis principles, including strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, and effective communication practices
• Problem-solving and decision-making frameworks used to evaluate policy options and organizational challenges

SKILL IN:

• Preparing clear and comprehensive materials, including presentations, testimony, reports, and other written products
• Managing complex projects, including planning, coordinating, and facilitating policy initiatives
• Analyzing and drafting policy, including interpreting, explaining, and strategizing complex legislative and intergovernmental issues
• Facilitating collaborative work such as meetings, discussions, and multi-stakeholder sessions
• Developing legislative strategies to support effective engagement in policy discussions and outcomes
• Building and maintaining effective relationships with elected officials, policymakers, and stakeholders
• Supervising consultants and contractors, including oversight of professional work products and deliverables

ABILITY TO:

• Perform strategic policy analysis to develop informed and effective recommendations or decisions
• Navigate state and federal legislative procedures to achieve successful outcomes
• Evaluate alternative solutions by identifying strengths, weaknesses, and implications of different approaches
• Exercise sound judgment and make decisions with incomplete or conflicting information
• Engage stakeholders in policy development and integrate relevant feedback into proposals
• Communicate policy positions effectively, clearly, logically, professionally, and persuasively to diverse audiences
• Apply relevant federal, state, and local laws and regulations, as well as CWS policies, related to assigned duties
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, including a variety of CWS staff and other government officials, contractors, vendors, community groups, and the general public
• Operate effectively in a team environment

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR LICENSES:
The following are the minimum qualifications for this position.
5 years of experience in government relations, legislative advocacy, and public policy analysis and development, working with elected officials, boards, or commissions.
Bachelor's degree in political science, public administration, public policy, government affairs, environmental science, environmental policy, natural resources, communications, economics, planning, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.
Candidates must file and maintain registration with the Oregon Government Ethics Commission upon hire.
Candidates must possess and maintain a valid state-issued driver's license.
Additional Information
Reasonable Accommodation:
Applicants who require reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any phase of the application process should contact Human Resources at 503.681.3600 or TDD 503.681.3601.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Clean Water Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, marital status, age, uniformed service, sexual orientation or disability in the admission or access to the recruitment process or any aspect of employment.
Application Review and Certification Statement:
Applicants will be reviewed and evaluated based on qualifications including relevant skills, education, training, and work history. Supplemental materials including resumes, cover letters, and other attachments will not be considered unless specifically requested as part of the application process. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application materials are detailed, accurate, clearly demonstrate how they meet the minimum and, if applicable, special qualifications for the position, and are complete at the time the application is submitted. Incomplete or inaccurate applications may be removed from further consideration or may result in disqualification from the application or selection process, rescinding an offer of employment, or termination of employment if discovered after hire. Application materials will be used to determine salary placement in accordance with applicable state and federal law, CWS Human Resources policies and guidelines, and collective bargaining agreements, upon extension of a job offer. Unless requested as part of the application process, supplemental materials provided will not be considered.
By submitting your application, and any supplemental materials specifically requested by CWS as part of the application process, you are certifying the information you have provided is true, accurate and complete and have read and understand the above statement.
Clean Water Services offers eligible employees the opportunity to choose benefits and plans that meet both individual and family needs. In addition to a competitive salary, Clean Water Services offers employees a comprehensive benefit packet that includes health coverage, health reimbursement account, life and accidental death insurance, flexible spending account, Oregon Public Employees Retirement Plan (PERS/OPSRP), deferred compensation, paid vacation, holidays and sick leave, tuition reimbursement, goal sharing bonus, and more. Further information for full-time regular non-represented employees can be found
Depending on hours worked and duration of the position, temporary employees may qualify for an offer of medical benefits, deferred compensation, and employee discounts. Temporary employees are eligible for sick leave at the rate of .0334 per hour worked upon beginning employment and may carry over up to 40 hours into the next calendar year.
01
Do you have 5 years of experience in government relations, legislative advocacy, and public policy analysis and development, working with elected officials, boards, or commissions?
Please explain how you meet this requirement, including the organization and position where you gained this experience. The supplemental information you provide must match the work assignments and dates of employment listed in your application.
02
Do you have a bachelor's degree in political science, public administration, public policy, government affairs, environmental science, environmental policy, natural resources, communications, economics, planning, or a related field?
Please list your degree and institution where it was earned. If applicable, also include your master's degree. The supplemental information you provide must match the work assignments and dates of employment listed in your application.
Required Question