Title:
Government Relations Officer (Director 3 D28)
Position Number:
641151
Position Type:
Staff - Unclassified
Department:
President
Posted Date:
03/01/2018
Employment Type:
NL
FLSA:
Replacement of
Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:
This is a full-time, managerial position, and hours of work and days are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Note: This position is in the "NL" category of employment (non-fixed work week) and have no claim or entitlement to time off or cash compensation for hours worked beyond their normal schedule. However, unusual requirements for additional work time by these employees may be compensated by allowing roughly comparable amounts of time off, provided prior approval is given by the supervisor and Unit Head.
Job Summary/Description:
RAMAPO COLLEGE OF NEW JERSEY:
Mission: Ramapo College of New Jersey is New Jersey's Public Liberal Arts College, dedicated to providing students a strong foundation for a lifetime of achievement. The College is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. Ramapo College emphasizes teaching and individual attention to all students. We promote diversity, inclusiveness, sustainability, student engagement, and community involvement.
Established in 1969, Ramapo College of New Jersey has an enrollment of 5,000 students and offers bachelor's degrees in the arts, business, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include nursing and social work. In addition, Ramapo College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels. The College also offers eight graduate programs as well as articulated programs with Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New York Chiropractic College, New York University College of Dentistry, SUNY State College of Optometry and New York College of Podiatric Medicine. The College is ranked as fifth in the Best Regional Public Universities North category by U.S. News & World Report.
Undergraduate students choose to concentrate their studies in one of five schools with more than 539 course offerings and 36 academic programs. Ramapo College boasts an average student/faculty ratio of 18:1 and average class size of 23, affording students the opportunity to develop close ties to the College's exceptional faculty.
JOB SUMMARY:
Reporting to the President of the College, the Government Relations Officer (GRO) is responsible for advocacy on behalf of Ramapo College. The GRO has primary responsibility for developing the College's external relations in the following areas:
• government relations
• legislative advocacy
• planning, research, and public relations related to government relations and legislative advocacy
The Officer directs the development and implementation of the College's legislative programs, implements strategies to realize College initiatives and goals, cultivates and maintains strong relationships with key public officials, agencies and organizations and, in collaboration with senior college officials, continually seeks opportunities to develop and enhance college partnerships with state and federal entities.
The Officer also serves as counsel to the College President and others on matters related to governmental and legislative engagement and related public relations, marketing, and communications activities.
The Officer is expected to spend time on campus, in Trenton, and elsewhere as needed. The Officer is also expected to be available by phone/email outside of the College's traditional hours of operation.
Duties/Responsibilities:
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
Monitor and assess legislative priorities and brief the President and senior leadership on significant legislative activity; recommend strategic legislative affairs programs to include formulating plans of action and coordinating and directing their implementation.
Serve as legislative liaison for the College by cultivating relationships with federal, state, and local elected and appointed government officials to secure visibility and legislative and financial support for the College.
Research, prepare for and represent the College's interests before legislative committees; spearhead institutional responses to legislative requests including submitting draft language for proposed legislation.
COLLABORATIVE COUNSEL & COMMUNICATIONS
Support the President in fostering relationships with the New Jersey Association of State Colleges and Universities, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of the Secretary of Higher Education (NJ), and other advocacy/regulatory networks.
In collaboration with Public Relations, advise the President and senior leadership, as needed, in responding to and interacting with the news media, elected officials and the public-at-large on legislative and governmental issues germane to the College.
Serve as primary contact with student clubs/organizations, faculty, and staff in coordinating campus visits and outreach to elected officials.
INTERNAL AFFAIRS
Attend and participate in Board of Trustees meetings, College-wide ceremonies, and special events.
Participate in institutional planning and assessment.
Supervise and/or coordinate the work of assigned personnel and recommend the selection of staff and resources as needed.
Develop and manage a department budget.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Education/Experience:
EDUCATION
Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's Degree supplemented by a Master's Degree
Preferred majors: public administration, public relations, political science, or related areas
Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute the indicated experience on a year basis (30 credit hours is considered one year of college).
EXPERIENCE
Five (5) years professional experience directly related to the position as determined by the College.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
• Ability to understand and interpret the mission and diverse programs and services of a liberal arts college.
• Knowledge and understanding of the philosophy, objectives and operations of a New Jersey State College.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current macro and micro political issues effecting higher education.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of public policy development, intergovernmental, and state and federal legislative and budgeting processes.
• Interpersonal skills marked by tact, patience, courtesy and diplomacy.
• Ability to assess legislative initiative and priorities at all levels of government.
• Ability to effectively communicate and represent the College's interests to a variety of audiences and outlets.
• Ability to lead, plan, organize, coordinate and direct the College's legislative priorities with the strategic and branding priorities of the College.
• Extensive knowledge of federal legislative procedures and protocols.
• Demonstrated knowledge of legislative and legal research practices, including government agency computer databases and other informational databases.
• Must possess excellent relationship building and communications skills, plus demonstrated ability to develop and implement plans and programs to maximize advocacy efforts at the federal and state levels.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a stressful environment under time sensitive deadlines.
• Must be able to travel and work occasional nights and weekends.
EEO Statement:
Ramapo College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Ramapo has a long history of advocating, advising, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Examples can be found in its mission statement, strategic plans, degree and course offerings, community outreach programs, the Diversity Action Committee offerings, and the other numerous diversity conferences and programs. Ramapo's commitment to diversity and inclusion is infused across all facets of the College; where the environment is welcoming, dedicated to social justice, respectful of freedom of expression, focused on educating and having an ongoing conversation regarding cultural competence and the benefits and importance of diversity.
Required Documents:
Cover Letter, Resume/Curriculum Vitae
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