Government Relations Professional

MACo's Policy Team is seeking a professional who can help represent and serve counties and their many front-line services across Maryland. Sound like a fit? Apply today!

MACo is seeking a government relations professional to join our policy team, take a lead role on a series of public policy areas, and coordinate advocacy and other projects with county leaders.

This is a hybrid position, but NOT a fully remote position - availability to be on site in Annapolis, Maryland, is required.

Applications are due by May 17, 2024 (instructions listed below).

The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is the non-profit, non-partisan voice of all 24 Maryland county jurisdictions, promoting effective, efficient government through advocacy, education, and collaboration. The Association’s membership consists of county elected officials and representatives from Maryland’s 23 counties and Baltimore City. MACo provides a broad range of educational, partnership-building, and cost-saving services to its member jurisdictions. Policy efforts, including advocacy before the General Assembly and state agencies, play a fundamental role in fulfilling MACo’s mission.

MACo will consider junior and senior candidates within this general job description and while a broad salary range is provided, compensation will be based on experience.

Policy Team members will:

• Represent county elected and appointed leaders as a resource, advocate, and voice
• Lead on policy advocacy, analysis, research, and communications to members
• Contribute toward MACo’s mission, affiliates, conferences, and educational offerings
• Collaborate with other staff members for events, services, relationships, and projects

Typical tasks include (but are not limited to):

• Become an expert on all policy areas within assigned portfolio
• Read and review bills for impact on county government
• Research policy topics, including prior years’ bills, effects on counties, implementation needs and challenges, fiscal impacts, and other pertinent details
• Present to workgroups (internal and external) and MACo members
• Write testimony and present oral testimony at Maryland General Assembly committee hearings
• Participate on social media to further MACo’s mission and strategies
• Source, research, and write blog content daily for MACo’s blog, Conduit Street
• Develop conference and event content based on policy portfolio
• Identify and invite speakers for conferences and events
• Present at other conferences and events, illustrating county perspective on various topics
• Build relationships with legislators, state departments, governor’s office, other advocates, commercial and nonprofit representatives, and others
• Function as policy liaison for assigned MACo affiliate groups (e.g., county Human Resources Directors, Health Officers, etc.)
• Respond to press inquiries around topics within the assigned policy portfolio

MACo’s team of policy experts are each assigned a portfolio of topics related to county governance. MACo is willing to consider assignment adjustments for the successful candidate’s area of expertise, but this position’s portfolio is likely to include:

• Health and Human Services
• Employee Benefits and Relations
• Pensions
• Business Affairs
• Parks & Recreation
• Information Technology and Cybersecurity

Requirements:

• Familiarity with Maryland state and local government
• Familiarity with the Maryland legislative and policy process
• Excellent public speaking and oral communication skills
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Excellent persuasive writing skills
• Strong research, analysis, and computer proficiency
• Familiarity/comfort with social media channels (particularly X, formerly Twitter)
• Confidence in taking initiative, setting priorities, and working independently
• Teamwork- and customer service-oriented mindset
• Law or Master’s degree in relevant policy area desired, but related work experience strongly considered
• While this is a hybrid position, the successful candidate must be able to commute to Annapolis daily during the legislative session (roughly January – April annually)
• Stable internet connection for any period of time when MACo staff are working from home

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required, Masters or JD preferred
• 3-5 years of previous policy analysis and government relations experience preferred
• Applicants familiar with Maryland General Assembly legislative processes, public policy, or Maryland county governments will be given special consideration.

Position Type:

• Full-time, salaried, exempt, hybrid position, based in Annapolis
• On-site participation in Annapolis is required near daily during the legislative session (January – April) but is normally 2 or 3 days per week during the interim (May – December), except during MACo conferences and events, when on-site participation is required of all staff members.

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary: $60,000 - $85,000, depending on experience
• Generous benefits, to include: 100% employer-paid health, dental, and vision insurance for employee and dependents, life insurance, long- and short-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, 8.9% employer contribution to employer-sponsored defined contribution retirement plan, employee assistance program, and paid parking. Employees are offered 10 standard holidays, 4 floating holidays, 10 days of vacation leave (accrued), and 12 days of sick leave (accrued).

How to Apply:

Previous applicants need not re-apply. New applicants may apply via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3911224797/) by May 17, 2024.

Special consideration will be given to those who apply via LinkedIn AND submit the following materials via email to vwhite@mdcounties.org by May 17:

• Cover letter detailing the reasons the applicant feels they are qualified for the position; and
• Writing sample showing formal persuasive writing style.

MACo is an Equal Opportunity Employer