Government Affairs Representative II

Job Description

As the Government Affairs Representative II, you maintain effective working relationships with governmental agencies and organizations that have a direct impact on the Airports Authority. Serves in the Office of Communications and Government Affairs at the Headquarters Office. Performs the full range of governmental affairs activities. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with government agencies and offices and non-governmental support organizations that have a direct impact on the Airports Authority. Performs related functions.

General Responsibilities

• Maintains liaison as assigned with the US Congress and various Federal executive branch agencies (e.g. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Transportation Security Administration) and the Commonwealth of Virginia, State of Maryland, District of Columbia, and other local and regional legislative, regulatory and oversight entities that have direct impact on the Airports Authority’s enterprises, as assigned.
• Works with the Manager of Federal and Manager of State/Local Government Affairs to understand all government-related issues impacting the Airports Authority and commercial aviation sector, with the expectation of stepping in for – and assisting — either manager at any time, depending on workload and corporate needs.
• Collaborates with the Noise Information Office Manager on noise issues related to applicable governmental entities and serves as a backup for the Noise Information Office Manager as assigned by the Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs.
• Manages Government Affairs responsibilities as assigned, with a focus on the governments of the District of Columbia and state and local governments in Maryland, as well as assisting with responsibilities for the federal government and state and local governments in Virginia.
• Maintains regular communications with public officials to exchange routine and non-routine information; develops contacts that will serve the Airports Authority’s key interests.
• Represents the Airports Authority at meetings and conferences with governmental organizations and supporting non-governmental organizations; participates in periodic meetings with federal, state, and local government officials and Congressional staff to explain the Airports Authority’s status, actions, and initiatives.
• Analyzes Federal, state, and municipal legislative proposals, regulations, and other issues/actions to assess the impact on the Airports Authority’s policies and programs.
• Researches issues and prepares official responses to inquiries from Congress and Federal agencies; reviews responses prepared by other Airports Authority offices. Identifies and recommends strategies to present the Airports Authority’s position on legislative initiatives.
• Develops draft briefing papers and related communications materials as assigned for legislators and key staff in response to formal and informal requests for information from officials, the private sector, and the public.
• Attends legislative sessions to personally communicate the Airports Authority’s position; assists in preparing Airports Authority officials to testify, as appropriate.
• Coordinates annual outreach program for elected and appointed Federal, state, District of Columbia, and city and county officials and their staff to inform and engage them concerning the Airports Authority; may arrange and coordinate meetings and tours for officials.
• Coordinates communication efforts with the Office’s Media Relations Department, Noise Information Office, Engineering, and other Airports Authority functions or external entities, as assigned.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in government affairs.
• Agreement to forego participation in, or attendance at, any public or public-facing political activities or events, especially those of a partisan nature, to assure an image of political neutrality in Government Affairs work related to the Airports Authority.
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience, and expertise in government policies, legislative and regulatory processes, and political dynamics. Strong research, analytical, and strategic thinking capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, develop, recommend, and implement government affairs strategies and outreach efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to research and develop position papers and official response statements or strategies.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with emphasis on persuasive communication techniques and clear, compelling, timely, and accurate written materials and oral presentations.
• Ability to interact credibly and effectively with a range of diverse internal and external collaborators and demonstrate strong organizational skills, political judgment, and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to represent the Airport Authority as an effective, authoritative spokesperson at meetings, hearings, and industry events to effectively establish the Airport Authority’s position on key matters.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain poise.
• Ability to analyze data and information and make recommendations.
• Ability to use a computer and modern office suite software.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in government, Government Relations, Public Affairs, Public Relations, or Communications.
• Demonstrated experience in researching and monitoring legislative proposals, regulations, or other issues/actions of federal, state, or local government bodies.
• A strong track record and extensive experience in researching issues and helping to prepare official responses to inquiries from Congress and various federal, state, or local agencies.

Education

• A high school diploma or a Certificate of General Educational Development (GED).

Certifications and Licenses Required

• A state driver’s license in good standing.

Necessary Special Factors

• May not take part in any partisan political activity that could impact the Airports Authority’s reputation for, or image of, political neutrality.
• May be subject to job pressures from adverse, high-stakes legislative initiatives and other demanding situations as well as interpersonal conflicts arising from policy conflicts.
• Subject to heavy workloads during peak periods typically revolve around cyclical or special legislative or executive branch work schedules and actions.
• Work is typically reviewed in progress and upon completion for quality, quantity, timeliness, teamwork, customer service, and other factors.
• A background security investigation will be required for all new hires.
• Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Follow us on Twitter @MWAAcareers.
• Please apply on our website: https://mwaa.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/MWAA/job/Government-Affairs-Representative-II_R0005270