When career opportunities at the association or foundation are open, we will post them on this page.

Current Openings:  

Job Title: Director, Government Affairs

Supervisor: Executive Director

FLSA classification: Exempt

Basic Functions:

Responsible for coordinating, assisting in the development of, and implementing overall association legislative and regulatory activity and involvement; communicating with members of the Minnesota Legislature (in cooperation with our lobbyist), state agencies and other governmental organizations that impact the nursery/landscape industry in Minnesota; other duties as assigned by the Executive Director.  (Please note: Lobbying is not the primary responsibility associated with this position.  MNLA retains an outside lobbying firm.)

 Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Authority:

 Policy Setting/Strategy/Analysis

•  Develop and maintain a working knowledge of all industry related issues in legislative and regulatory affairs.
• Analyze proposed legislative actions; determine the potential impact on the organization; and develop recommended policy for consideration by the Government Affairs Committee and the Board of Directors.
• Monitor legislative and regulatory activities and develop the association’s positions in cooperation with the Regulatory Affairs Manager, Government Affairs Committee and Executive Director or Board of Directors as applicable.
• Develop and execute advocacy strategies with the Executive Director, lobbyist and Government Affairs Committee.
• Coordinate with legislative and regulatory policy makers and staff (including state and national nursery and landscape associations) to discuss issues, draft and present testimony, reports and regulatory comments.
• Work with the MNLA lobbyist and MNLA Regulatory Affairs Manager to communicate to members of the Minnesota legislature, regulatory agency leadership and their staffs on industry-related issues.
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with key regulatory officials in cooperation with the Regulatory Affairs Manager. Monitor the activities of various state agencies, and ensure the “voice” of MNLA is heard and acknowledged.
• Assist MNLA members with local governmental or regulatory issues.
• Research current and proposed legislation or regulations as needed and furnish reports and analysis as requested.
• Meet with other organizations regarding legislation/issues to assemble/evaluate strategy, coordinate support or participate in the process of compromises.
• Attend legislative/regulatory meetings and report on initiatives and results affecting the industry.

Committee & Liaison Responsibilities

•  Serve as staff liaison to the Government Affairs Committee and any additional legislative/regulatory association task force.
• Act as key staff contact to the Minnesota Green Industry Political Action Committee.
• Attend industry meetings as directed by the Executive Director, which may include:  Board of Directors, national and local legislative meetings, other association meetings.
• Maintain strong relations and communication with the MNLA lobbying firm.

Communications & Constituent Relations

• Work with the association’s Communications Director to develop or edit legislative/regulatory articles for publications, social media, and other means to disseminate timely legislative and regulatory information to members.
• Develop and write key messages and supporting arguments, articles, speeches, background documents, brochures, presentations and reports.
•  Develop messaging and tactics to promote legislative and regulatory awareness to members during our largest industry gathering, Northern Green.
• Execute legislative/regulatory correspondence/alerts to candidates, legislators, regulatory agencies and members.
• Prepare materials for Board of Directors meetings in coordination with the Regulatory Affairs Manager and the Executive Director.

Other

• Other activities as assigned by the Executive Director.     

Background, Training and Requirements:

• College graduate or equivalent experience. Any combination of education, training and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.  An example of this would be a college degree in political science, public administration, or communication and/or professional experience directing a government relations operation.
•  Must possess an in-depth knowledge of the Minnesota political process and ability to understand governmental and political issues, as well as an ability to relate and communicate those issues effectively to other people.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, problem-solving and coalition building skills, including legislative strategy development and implementation.
• Skilled in diplomacy among government agency personnel, allied as well as conflicting groups, and association volunteers.
• Proven research and analytical skills.
• Ability to handle/manage numerous concurrent complex projects/issues through time and project management.
• Outstanding written and interpersonal oral communication skills, including significant public speaking and speech writing skills, with proven abilities/successes in public and political relations.
• Must be detail oriented with strong administrative and organizational skills.
• Must possess strong computer skills necessary for bill tracking.  Knowledge of Word, Excel and Outlook required.
• This position requires some travel.  Hours of work may vary to include early mornings, late evenings and weekends. Requires Lobbyist Registration with the State of Minnesota.

Reporting/Relationships:

• Reports to the Executive Director.
•  Work closely with Executive Director, Regulatory Affairs Manager, and Lobbyist on all legislative/regulatory matters.
•  Maintain a high level of contact with all association staff.

If interested in applying for this job, please submit your resume along with salary requirements to cassie@mnla.biz or mail to Minnesota Nursery & Landscape Association, 1813 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113. We will accept resumes through July 7, 2017 at 5:00pm.  No phone calls please.