Director for Government Relations

Position:  Full-time state position
Location:  Frankfort, KY with limited telecommuting
Travel: In-state and limited out-of-state travel
Retirement:  TIAA

About the Council on Postsecondary Education

The Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) is Kentucky’s coordinating body for postsecondary education and is committed to strengthening the commonwealth’s workforce, economy, and quality of life through the continuous improvement and efficient operation of a high-quality, diverse, and accessible system of postsecondary education.

Function of the Position

Acts as legislative liaison for agency, prepares agency legislative agenda, drafts agency legislation, and prepares bill review information.  Represents agency with legislature.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the legislative liaison for the Council with various constituencies, including but not limited to legislators, Legislative Research Commission (LRC) staff, Governor’s Office and Executive Branch staff, and university legislative liaisons. 
• Work to build and maintain legislative relationships throughout the calendar year.
• Coordinate with staff in Communications and the President’s Office to ensure legislators and key stakeholders are included in related Council activities—to include any related publicity.
• Coordinate with staff in Communications to review and disseminate legislative related information to legislators and key stakeholders.
• Monitor legislative committees for items of interest to CPE.
• Work with Executive Leadership on developing the Council’s annual legislative agenda (policy and budget priorities).
• Prepare correspondence, presentations, and materials for legislators and Council staff presenting at legislative committee meetings.
• Prepare and provide regular updates to the Executive Leadership Team on legislative-related items and/or events.
• Prepare bill review information for Executive Leadership Team meetings.
• Monitor and review all bill reviews in KLIR.
• Draft agency legislation and amendments for pending bills.
• Secure legislative sponsors for proposed legislation.
• Prepare and/or coordinate analyses of relevant education legislation and the budget bill.
• Prepare implementation plans related to new laws for CPE.
• Review and submit legislatively required reports to the General Assembly.
• Respond to inquiries from the Office of Education Accountability (OEA) related to its study agenda, report findings, and recommendations.
• Serve as a liaison with the university and KCTCS legislative liaisons (BULLS) and attends regular meetings, to include campus visits as needed.
• Serve as initiative level lead for legislative items in the strategic plan.
• Provide assistance on Council’s executive branch budget responsibilities and legislative items related to performance-based funding. 
• Perform special projects for the President or staff in the President’s Office.
• Serve as a CPE representative on various councils, boards, or other initiatives as appropriate.

Qualifications – Education and Experience

• Minimum bachelor’s degree required.  
• Five or more years government or private sector policy advocacy experience. Master’s degree in law, political science, public administration, public policy or related filed may substitute for years of experience. 
• In-depth knowledge of and experience with the legislative process.
• Knowledge of Kentucky education policy.
• Familiarity with legislative and political structures in Kentucky.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. 

Application Process

Interested applicants should send a letter of application specifically addressing the responsibilities and qualifications of the position, a resume, and the names, titles, and contact information for at least three professional references to CPE.HR@ky.gov