Legislative Affairs Associate

Job Summary

The mission of the Legislative Affairs Associate is to enhance and promote public power in North Carolina by providing strategic government affairs support. This includes assisting in ElectriCities’ governmental affairs and political engagement efforts; analyzing and advocating for ElectriCities’ legislative priorities as a registered lobbyist; helping to promote the organization’s positive public image among residents, municipal, and legislative officials.

The Legislative Affairs Associate is responsible for increasing the awareness of and generating support for public power and public power communities and increasing the visibility of public power and public power communities across key stakeholder audiences. This includes a focus on engaging ElectriCities members in legislative and regulatory processes, by increasing government affairs communications and touch points.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support the Supervisor, Government Affairs in advocating for ElectriCities’ legislative priorities at the North Carolina General Assembly and in Washington, D.C.
• The Legislative Affairs Associate will register as a North Carolina lobbyist for ElectriCities, monitor the state legislative process including attending committee meetings and floor sessions, speaking to members and staff on ElectriCities’ behalf, arranging and attending meetings with legislators, and promoting goodwill among legislators and staff of the General Assembly, including, on occasion, before or after traditional office hours.
• Build relationships with ElectriCities members that will help cultivate interest in political engagement. Identify needs and ways for members to become active participants in the legislative and regulatory processes.
• Monitor the state’s executive agencies for issues that may affect member communities’ electric utilities and financial wellbeing; assist as liaison to the executive branch and promote goodwill among the governor and other Council of State officials.
• Research bills and executive actions, analyze proposed legislation and agency actions for the effect on ElectriCities membership, working as needed with internal and member-based subject-matter experts.
• During legislative sessions, support development of the “Capital Connections” publication to inform ElectriCities members and our supporters of the legislative actions affecting their electrical systems.
• Learn and master ElectriCities political engagement platform, VoterVoice, to increase contact with members on legislative and regulatory issues.
• Travel to member communities to learn more about them individually and identify the best strategies to get them engaged in government affairs.
• Create new and/or more frequent communications with ElectriCities members, including an annual or quarterly call.
• Draft and edit engaging Government Affair’s communications materials.
• Work with ElectriCities’ staff to execute special events.
• Provide support during weather/storm events, including serving on the State Emergency Response Team at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh.
• Participate in annual meetings and workshops.
• Be an active participant on various internal organizational teams.
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Controls: The Legislative Affairs Associate reports directly to the Supervisor, Government Affairs who supervises the daily work and provides work assignments to the individual holding the position. All time sheets, requests for time off, etc. will be approved by the Supervisor, Government Affairs. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Physical Requirements: The Legislative Affairs Associate must maintain the physical condition necessary to perform tasks in an office setting such as operating a personal computer, keyboard, and other peripheral equipment. The ability to navigate legislative and congressional buildings to communicate with legislators is required. Regular travel within the state of North Carolina and occasional domestic travel is also required.

Qualifications

• Strong level of initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision.
• A four-year college or university degree, preferably with a major in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Relations, or a related field.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience in government affairs, public affairs, or grassroots work.
• Experience and demonstrated success in a government affairs or advocacy role.
• Knowledge of the federal and state legislative processes, especially knowledge of North Carolina politics, process, and policy.
• Exceptional speaking, writing, and editing skills, including the ability to communicate to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of the media, elected officials, special interest groups, and the general public.
• Ability to coordinate and manage multiple programs simultaneously.
• Strong attention to detail and comfort in developing and/or working with project plans/timelines.
• Flexibility and ability to work effectively under pressure and deadlines.
• Experience using social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
• Knowledge of and interest in public affairs and the political processes.
• Ability to think strategically, exercise good judgment, and innovate.
• Excellent teamwork and people skills.
• Comfort presenting in public forums before large and/or influential audiences.

ElectriCities is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About ElectriCities

ElectriCities of North Carolina, Inc., is the membership organization that provides power supply and related critical services to over 90 community-owned electric systems in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia—collectively known as public power. ElectriCities manages the power supply for two power agencies in North Carolina and provides technical services to assist members in operating their electric distribution systems. ElectriCities also helps these locally owned and operated public power providers thrive today and in the future by delivering innovative services, including legislative, technical, communications, and economic development expertise.

Learn more here