Director of Government Relations

Description:

SUMMARY

Under the leadership of the Sr. Vice President for Policy and Government Relations (SVPPGR) in the development and advancement of HACU's legislative agenda with a focus on the U.S. House of Representatives. Collaborates with staff from the GR office in maintaining relations with Federal legislative and administrative offices and agencies in areas relating to Federal legislation and regulations, particularly with the House HSI Caucus. Assists in formulating and maintaining relationships with government offices and officials, education policy centers, Hispanic and other minority-focused organizations, and higher education associations to promote the advancement of Hispanic higher education. Although focused on the U.S. House of Representatives, the incumbent is expected to collaborate with other HACU policy and government relations staff, as well as in other areas of the organization. HACU values highly teamwork across offices and departments.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• A Master's degree in Public Administration, Higher Education, or related field with experience in Federal relations and policy analysis, preferably in higher education or education-related issues is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of issues impacting Hispanics in higher education, including familiarity with the processes of Federal legislation and appropriations.
• Experience in collaborating with legislative assistants and government regulation writers is desirable.

HACU'S MISSION:

To Champion Hispanic Success in Higher Education

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities fulfills its mission by:

• promoting the development of member colleges and universities;
• improving access to and the quality of post-secondary educational opportunities for Hispanic students; and
• meeting the needs of business, industry and government through the development and sharing of resources, information and expertise.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(Other duties may be assigned)

• Plan, organize, and coordinate HACU's legislative strategies and activities with the U.S. Congress and Federal agencies to advance HACU's corresponding goals and objectives.
• Coordinate communications and activities with the House HSI Caucus and Congressional Hispanic Caucus leadership, membership, and staff to advance HACU's legislative agenda with the U.S. Congress.
• Arrange and facilitate testimony, meetings, and other such contacts with members of Congress and senior Federal officials for HACU's President and Presidents/CEOs of HACU-member institutions.
• In collaboration with other Government Relations staff, establish and operate a HACU ad hoc committee of Federal liaison officers of HSIs in Washington D.C. and convene regular meetings of the Committee to coordinate and promote the HACU legislative agenda.
• Collaborate with other GR staff in tracking governmental policy development and implementation.
• Monitor and analyze legislative bills and proposals to ensure that the interests and needs of HACU-member institutions are appropriately and equitably represented.
• As appropriate, draft and prepare documents and correspondence related to government relations and legislation for the SVPPGR and/or the President of HACU.
• Represent HACU at meetings/conferences/symposiums and make presentations to groups as needed.
• Cooperate with other GR staff in the development and operations of the annual Capitol Forum.
• Team up with other GR staff in communicating with and engaging HSI presidents and other key institutional officials in interacting with Congress to promote and advocate the HACU Legislative Agenda and other bills and/or regulations that impact on HSIs and other HACU member post-secondary institutions
• Collaborate in the writing, publishing, and disseminating of the legislative alert announcements, briefs, and newsletters for timely distribution to membership and other target groups as directed. This duty involves working with HACU's communications and marketing, as well as information and policy analysis staff.
• Assist in maintaining, updating, and upgrading the www.hacuadvocates.net page.
• Assist senior management in other assignments or projects that may be assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Currently, this position has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Exceptional people skills, excellent oral and written communication skills, and Spanish language proficiency (preferred but not required). Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common business, governmental and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.

Ability to effectively present information in written reports and in verbal presentations to top management, Federal agencies/departments, public groups, higher education organizations, members of the business community, members of Hispanic organizations, and/or governing board of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Familiarity with developing and conforming to an annual office budget.

REASONING ABILITY

Strong analytical skills and ability to practice sound judgment. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

OTHER SKILLS

Proficiency with computer use (e.g., word processing, database search, legislative internet searches for legislation and demographic information), and familiarity with educational issues affecting Hispanic students.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to travel frequently.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

In accordance with the ADA and other applicable laws, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable a qualified individual with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

BENEFITS

• HACU offers a friendly work environment and a generous company-paid benefits plan. Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• 15 company paid holidays
• Employer-paid Group-Term Life, AD&D, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability benefits
• Generous employer-paid contributions toward healthcare plan expense
• 403(b), employer contributions (no match required) starting at six months of service
• Employee Assistance Program
• Optional Dental, Vision, Legal and Identity protection, and optional Accident, Cancer, Hospital Indemnity, and Dependent Life Insurance plans.

EEO STATEMENT

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) believes that equal opportunity for all employees and applicants is important for the continuing success of our organization. As an equal opportunity employer, HACU is committed to a policy that provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and to make all employment decisions so as to further this principle of equal employment opportunity. HACU will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, pregnancy, medical condition including genetic characteristics, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identification and expression, sexual orientation, and will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are offered employment and employees are treated during employment without regard to these characteristics. For more information regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, click here.

ADA STATEMENT

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the HACU will provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed during the application process, please email jobs@hacu.net. For more information regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act, click here.

HACU COMMITMENT TO HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY

Per the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) Commitment to Health and Safety Policy, effective August 2021, it is a condition of employment for all employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, unless they are granted a reasonable accommodation under applicable state law. Employees will need to provide proof of full vaccination prior to their start date or apply for an exemption/accommodation within three business days after their start date. Depending on the circumstances, new hires who do not comply with this Policy, or who cannot be reasonably accommodated, will either have their employment suspended or terminated. Candidates who are non-compliant will have their offers rescinded. If reasonable accommodation is needed during the application process, please email jobs@hacu.net.

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