LEGISLATIVE LIASION

Executive Service

LEGISLATIVE LIASION

Department of Education

Policy and Legislative Affairs

Nashville, TN

Salary: $59,700- $74,604

Closing Date: 05/13/2024

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/education/career-opportunities.html

Who we are and what we do:

Department of Education Vision: We will set all students on a path to success. Priorities: Academics: All Tennessee students will have access to a high-quality education, no matter where they live. · Student Readiness: Tennessee public schools will be equipped to serve the academic and non-academic needs of all students. · Educators: Tennessee will set a new path for the education profession and be the top state to become and remain a teacher and leader.

Job Overview:

The Legislative Liaison assists in the day-to-day operations of the Policy and Legislative Affairs (PLA) team of the department and leads many direct Tennessee General Assembly member outreach efforts and communications. The liaison cultivates meaningful relationships with elected officials and strategic partners across the state through effective communication, significant engagement, and transparency. The liaison works to amplify the policy positions of the Governor and the department to the General Assembly in order to secure alignment on issues related to preK-12 education. The liaison also works to inform and engage department content experts in the legislative process to support high-quality analysis and implementation of legislation. The liaison supports other teams at the department in the fulfillment of legislative requirements, including the supporting the approval of certain contracts and grants by the Fiscal Review Committee, the delivery of statutorily required reports, and the initial implementation of legislation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Legislative Session: Protect and advocate for the policies and strategic goals of the department such that legislation supported by the administration is passed successfully and legislation opposed by the administration is defeated or amended in such a manner that the department is no longer opposed.
• Duties include meeting with members on legislation, monitoring committees, testifying on legislation, drafting talking points and other documentation, and assisting the full Policy and Legislative Affairs (PLA) team with scheduling member meetings, tracking bills and amendments, and supporting team logistics.
• Legislative Engagement: Develop and maintain strong relationships with key legislators through routine communication and engagement in order to advance department and administration priorities.
• Assist the Commissioner and the Assistant Commissioner with strategic engagement and planning in regard to relations with legislators and other key stakeholders.
• Member and constituent inquiries: Take lead on responding to member inquiries about the departments work by providing timely, accurate information.
• Staff Trainings: Support the PLA team in developing and conducting trainings about legislative session and other key PLA functions for Department staff, including senior leadership.
• Fiscal Review Relations: Protect, advocate for, and advance the departments work by securing Fiscal Review Committee approval on department contracts and grants.
• Special Projects: Support the establishment and ongoing maintenance of PLA team special projects, including the development of the departments online education and policy tool and as needed, supporting PLA procurements and department implementation of legislation.

Minimum Qualifications:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.

Required Experience:

At least [2] years of experience in legislative relations, political campaigns, legislative analysis, or related experiences in the education field.

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.