Job Description

Posting number: 2016-02514

Department: Government & Community Affairs

Division: Government & Community Affairs

Job classification: Gov & Community Affairs Coord

Posting type: Open

Categories: Housing

Summary

The Government & Community Affairs Coordinator, under the direction of the Asst Dir, Government & Community Affairs, plays a vital role in intergovernmental and community relations. This position involves coordinating and fostering effective relationships between community organizations, local, state, and federal governmental agencies, and elected and appointed officials. Assists in building and maintaining strong networks with government stakeholders, systematically analyzing emerging legislation, policies, and relevant positions, and providing leadership with timely briefings. The Coordinator informs key government officials on constituent relations, strategies, operations, and various initiatives, identifying new opportunities for collaboration and dialogue between the organization and counterparts. Assists in cultivating and sustaining successful working relationships with community organizations, organization partners, community and business leaders, residents, department staff, and the general public. The Coordinator will participate in event coordination and support community engagement efforts. This involves planning and executing various events and fostering positive interactions between the organization and the community.

Examples of duties

Essential Duties + Responsibilities

The position duties and responsibilities listed below describe the general nature and scope of work. Other responsibilities, duties, and skills may be required and assigned, as needed. These essential functions require a consistent presence in the work environment on a regular basis, and regular attendance must be maintained.

• Ability to strategically engage with elected and appointed officials, government agencies, legislative staff, community groups, and business leaders through a solid understanding of the structures and processes of the local, state, and federal governments to ensure the organization’s interests are represented during the legislative and policy process.
• Monitors the tracking of legislation and government policies and requests, including constituent concerns, with the ability to think strategically, rapidly analyze, and integrate information from diverse sources into conclusions, policy recommendations, and strategy implementation.
• Assists in the coordination and execution of organizational external and internal events, programs, and activities, collaborating with department staff to advance projects through vendors and partners.
• Assists in planning various community programs and strategies to build trusting relationships with the larger community, in accordance with the organization's strategic goals.
• Assists in sponsorship and community outreach opportunities, including tracking engagements associated with the state and national legislative meetings, visits, and conferences.
• Builds working relationships with other housing organizations, community partners, and non-profits to advance similar missions.
• Assists as needed in coordinating day-to-day operations and special projects, and initiatives.
• Represent the organization at meetings, seminars, and forums.
• Assist with other department responsibilities, including internal and external communications.
• Complete all duties as assigned or requested as outlined in operational and procedural guidelines. These guidelines are maintained and issued in the event of an emergency situation that arises at a property or any other location that serves our residents or employees.
• Participate in Trauma Informed Care (TIC) initiatives, including training, workgroups, project assignments, etc., that are launched or implemented in order to achieve and/or maintain certification as a TIC organization.
• Employees are expected to use Generative AI solutions ethically and responsibly.
• Other duties as assigned

Behavioral Competencies

This position requires the incumbent to exhibit the following behavioral skills

1. Values Driven | Demonstrates an understanding of the values (Compassion, Equity, and Excellence) and embodies the values in their work and interactions with residents, vendors, co-workers, supervisors, board members, community members, and other stakeholders.
2. Customer Service | Responds with Compassion in a professional manner to the expectations and needs of internal and external customers; is friendly and helpful to all customers, fostering positive relationships while providing Excellent service.
3. Effective Use of Information | Communicates important information to those who need to know clearly, securely, effectively, orally and/or in writing; proactively exchanges accurate and timely information.
4. Commitment and Continuous Improvement | Sets the standard for Excellence by proactively pursuing innovation through systematic experimentation and learning. Corrects mistakes by assessing appropriate processes, proposing adjustments, and prioritizing long-term solutions.
5. Teamwork | Balances team and individual responsibilities; exhibits Compassion, objectivity and openness to others' views; gives and welcomes feedback; contributes to building a positive team spirit; supports everyone's efforts of Excellence; attends, supports, and participates in the organization’s team building events.
6. Responsiveness and Accountability | Demonstrates a high level of Excellence and holds oneself personally responsible for one's own work; complies with procedures and directives and understands the importance of maintaining and managing confidential information; recognizes and anticipates issues and provides a responsive resolution in a timely manner.

Qualifications

Education

Required

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in political science, public policy, public administration, business administration, or a related field.

Experience

Required

• Two (2) years of experience working with city government, state legislature, congress, or community-based organizations.
• Must have the ability to learn and use cloud applications such as the Google GSuite applications, including but not limited to Google Chrome Browser, Gmail, Drive, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. Understand document sharing and collaboration in the cloud. Experience and proficiency with Microsoft Office 365, cloud-accessible applications including but not limited to One Drive, Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, or MAC or PC desktop equivalent, is acceptable.
• Successful completion of a criminal history background check, education, and work history verification, and drug screening test.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Proficiency in The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law.
• Spanish language fluency (reading, writing, speaking).
• Ability to learn cloud technologies such as LucidChart for diagram, workflow and chart drawing. Experience with Vizio or equivalent is acceptable. Basic understanding of Virtual Private Network (VPN) access to connect to internal business systems.

License + Certificates

Required

• Texas Class “C” driver’s license at the time of placement and insurable by the organization’s fleet and liability insurance carrier.
• Must have the ability to earn certifications as required by assigned tasks.

Technical Skills

To perform this job successfully, the employee should have

• Knowledge of State and Federal government organization and legislative processes, including budget and appropriations.
• Knowledge of the bill enactment process and bill tracking systems.
• Strong analytical skills
• Knowledge of housing programs.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, statutes, and regulations.
• Skill in operating a personal computer and utilizing various types of software including Google Workspace applications.
• Ability to conduct research.
• Ability to identify and respond to issues, concerns, and needs.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare and present clear and concise reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with Opportunity Home staff and officials, other government officials, community groups, and the general public.
• Ability to use independent judgment and manage and impart information to various internal and external organizations and constituencies.
• Ability to research legislative history and the status of pending legislation and to analyze pending and enacted legislation.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

To perform this job successfully, the employee is frequently required to remain in a stationary position. Daily movements include sitting, standing, operating computers and other office equipment, walking and moving about the office and/or community property, and attending onsite and offsite meetings. The employee must be able to complete data entry, utilize various portals, and communicate via email and verbally via telephone. Will need the ability to walk large properties and climb stairs. The employee must occasionally transport up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Office Environment

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• High level of interaction with external/internal clients.
• May be transferred or be required to work at different properties or sites for interim periods in order to support business needs.

Outside Environment

• Subject to environmental elements when conducting visits to various sites or participating in outside events.

ADA Statement

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the organization will make reasonable accommodations to the known disability of a qualified applicant or employee to enable people with disabilities to enjoy equal employment opportunities if it would not impose an “undue hardship” on the operation of the employer’s business.

Ethics

As a public agency, the organization is committed to maintaining the highest of ethical standards. Applicants selected for employment are expected to perform work responsibilities with the highest degree of integrity, professionalism, and honesty to merit the respect of our co-workers, clients, partners, vendors, and the general public. Applicants selected for employment are also expected to serve the public with dedication, concern, courtesy, and responsiveness.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Opportunity Home is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information, marital status, veteran status, arrest record or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. Opportunity Home is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment.

Disclaimer

The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. This position specification is not an employment agreement or contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this position specification at any time without notice.