Government Affairs Management Associate

Amtrak connects businesses and communities across the country and we move America’s workforce toward the future. We employ more than 20,000 diverse, energetic professionals in a variety of career fields throughout the United States. The safety of our passengers, our employees, the public and our operating environment is our priority and the success of our railroad is the result of our employees.

Are you ready to join our team?

Summary Of Duties

The Amtrak Rotational Program offers recent graduates and early-career individuals the opportunity to gain cross-functional experience through challenging rotational assignments. The two-year program promotes professional development through mentoring, exposure to leadership and unique opportunities to learn about Operations. The knowledge and understanding of critical business functions obtained in the program will prepare the participant for future roles with Amtrak.

The Government and External Affairs Management Associate will be part of the Amtrak Rotational Program hired into one of various entry level positions in the Federal, External and State/Local Affairs areas. Amtrak serves more than 30 million people a year in over 500 cities across the country. The Government Affairs and External Relations management associate will rotate through three core functions of the Government Affairs Team. They will support the department in its corporate legislative strategy with key stakeholders in Congress, federal agencies, state and local leadership and external partners. This strategy underpins the federal government’s investment in passenger rail for decades to come. Our team works hard to ensure that Congress and our partners are well informed about the best decisions the country can make to ensure intercity passenger rail is even more relevant to our customers in the years to come.

Essential Functions

• Support the generation and execution of strategies to creatively inform and engage stakeholders on public policy matters.
• Develop innovative approaches to visually communicate policy concepts, data, and positions.
• Data Analysis and Research related to transportation industry trends and analyses to benchmark and communicate Amtrak impact and value for the nation's transportation system.
• Attend and document public briefings, hearings and meetings that could include Congressional events, state/local, agencies and external parties
• Perform research projects, data entry/analysis/visualization, and record keeping of key data that could include: votes, demographics, election cycles and transportation trends. Compile and organize documents, either for permanent files and/or for meetings, events, or hearing preparation.
• Assist with special events, such as large travel groups, student tours, or dignitary travel. Some travel should be expected.
• Strong writing skills to support congressional correspondence, memos, and testimony.

Minimum Qualifications

• Recent graduate from an undergraduate or graduate degree program.
• Degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration or a related field from an accredited college or university.
• Able to function in a collaborative work environment and communicating orally and in writing within the corporation and externally.
• Demonstrates a set of core values that includes humility, mission, courage, justice prudence and self-control.
• Understanding of the legislative process at the federal, state, and local level.
• Congressional or state legislative experience.
• Basic understanding of transportation industry.
• Strong digital communications skills that could include creating social media content and listening, GIS, and Illustrator.
• Punctuality in terms of meeting previously agreed schedules for being in the office or for other events and timely notice of absences or changes to schedules.
• Cover letter and short 1–2-page writing sample or brief is strongly encouraged.

Communications And Interpersonal Skills

• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills.

Requisition ID: 105267

Posting Location(s): District of Columbia

Job Family/Function: Government Affairs

Relocation Offered: No

Travel Requirements: Up to 25%

Amtrak employees power our progress through their performance.

We want your work at Amtrak to be more than a job – we want it to be a fulfilling experience where you find challenging and rewarding opportunities, respect among colleagues, competitive pay, benefits that protect you and your family and a high performance culture that recognizes and values your contributions and helps you reach your career goals.

All positions require pre-employment background check verification, a pre-employment drug screen and proof of full vaccination against COVID -19. Amtrak is committed to a safe workplace free of drugs and alcohol and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing. Marijuana, notwithstanding any statute, ordinance, regulation, or other law that legalizes or decriminalizes the use or possession of marijuana, whether for medical, recreational, or other use. Candidates who engage in the usage of marijuana will not be qualified for hire. Successful applicants for employment with Amtrak must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the date of hire as a condition of employment, subject to requests for accommodation. Fully vaccinated means 14 days have elapsed since receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or 14 days since receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

In accordance with DOT regulations (49 CFR

• 40.25), Amtrak is required to obtain prior drug and alcohol testing records for applicants/employees intending to perform safety-sensitive duties for covered Department of Transportation positions. If an applicant/employee refuses to provide written consent for Amtrak to obtain these records, the individual will not be permitted to perform safety-sensitive functions.

Note that any education requirement listed above may be deemed satisfied if you have an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Amtrak is an EOE/Affirmative Action Minority/Female employer, and we welcome all to apply. We consider candidates regardless of race/color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related conditions), national origin/ethnicity, age, disability (intellectual, mental and physical), veteran status, marital status, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, genetic information, citizenship or any other personal characteristics protected by law.