State Government Relations Manager

Posting Title

State Government Relations Manager

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Location

CO - Golden

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Position Type

Regular

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Hours Per Week

40

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Working at NREL

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for research and development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

From day one at NREL, you'll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you'll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.

NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.

Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL's critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.

Note: Research suggests that potential job seekers may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who is interested in this opportunity to apply. We seek dedicated people who believe they have the skills and ambition to succeed at NREL to apply for this role.

Job Description

In this new role, the State Government Relations Manager is primarily responsible for representing the priorities of NREL to state elected officials and legislative branches of government. This position will report to the Director of Government Relations and will work closely with a broad range of NREL research leaders and external stakeholders. The position supports the development and execution of strategies to best represent NREL within state government policy environments, and requires ongoing awareness of priority research areas, analysis and tracking of state legislative proposals, and proactive engagement of internal and external stakeholders. The ideal candidate will seek opportunities to bring NREL resources to bear on state and regional issues, and possess strong relationship-building skills, as well as a history of building external partnerships over time.

The key responsibilities of the Federal Relations Manager include

• Support NREL's Director of Government Relations in the implementation of government relations and a state affairs strategy:

• Organize and manage efforts to educate policymakers, including elected officials and their staff members, on NREL expertise through activities such as in-person and online briefings, technical assistance, meetings, and site visits

• Coordinate with the Office of Government Relations State Government Relations Manager.

• Facilitate review of draft legislation and technical assistance requests

• Monitor and prepare written updates on legislation and policy

• Manage and inventory NREL interactions with state elected officials and staff

• Represent NREL at select events

• Work collaboratively with state government relations staff members at partner organizations

• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the laboratory directorates - both scientific divisions and operations - to carry out these engagement activities

• Develop effective professional relationships with individuals in state legislative branches and other external organizations, and provide staff support for meetings and other means of engagement

• Advance NREL strategy and mission objectives among key state stakeholders

• Serve as a NREL spokesperson to government officials and their staff

• Establish a presence for NREL in relevant venues where policy related to NREL capabilities are formed

• Inform elected and appointed officials of NREL contributions, capabilities, and needs with respect to driving national prosperity and security

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Basic Qualifications

Relevant Bachelor's Degree and 9 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant Master's Degree and 7 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant PhD and 4 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience. Or, relevant JD and 4 or more years of experience or equivalent relevant education/experience.

*** Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.**

Additional Required Qualifications

• Superior and extraordinarily persuasive written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, and a reputation for reducing complex issues to salient points

• Experience managing complex and difficult projects or initiatives simultaneously in a rapidly evolving environment

• Experience managing complex and difficult projects or initiatives simultaneously in a rapidly evolving environment

• Applies extensive technical expertise, and has full knowledge of other related disciplines.

• Contributes to the development of new concepts, techniques and standards.

• Considered internal subject matter expert.

• Extensive knowledge of laws, regulations, principles, procedures and practices related to specific field.

• Excellent leadership, project management and problem solving skills.

• Ability to use various computer software programs.

• Ability and willingness to travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven years of experience on Capitol Hill or with a state legislative body

• Familiarity working in or with Congress or state government and the legislative/regulatory processes, including the budget, appropriations, and authorization processes

• Proven communication skills with the ability to translate key scientific concepts into lay-level language useful to policymakers

• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with an array of diverse interests, individuals, and constituencies

• Demonstrated organizational, research and analytical skills, as well as initiative and intellectual curiosity

• Ability to communicate NREL strategy and narratives, understanding of what drives stakeholder opinion and behavior

• Established state-level contacts and networks

• Track record of developing and deploying federal affairs or policy strategy; skilled at developing strategy and translating it into implementable actions and measurable outcomes

• Superior coalition-building experience and skills

• Knowledge of and experience with the Department of Energy's National Laboratories and the Department of Energy

• Experience working in complex policy and/or science and technology environments

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: Professional IV / Annual Salary Range: $95,500 - $171,900

NREL takes into consideration a candidate's education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; short- and long-term disability insurance; pension benefits; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match; life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance; personal time off (PTO) and sick leave; paid holidays; and tuition reimbursement. NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Limited-term positions are not eligible for long-term disability or tuition reimbursement.

***** Based on eligibility rules

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy's effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview. DOE rules for site access during the interview process are the same regardless of whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Please review the information on our Hiring Process (~~~) website before you create an account and apply for a job. We also hope you will learn more about NREL (~~~/) , visit our Careers site (~~~/) , and continue to search for job opportunities (~~~) at the lab.