DPS - LS - Government Relations Specialist - 1892

PLEASE NOTE: All applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the posting. In order to complete the supplemental questions please go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login and access your profile. Go to CAPPS Recruit to Sign In https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Performs advanced (senior-level) legislative and consultative work. Work involves serving as a liaison between the agency (TXDPS) and governmental and legislative entities. May supervise the work of others. Work is performed under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The following Military Occupational Specialty codes are generally applicable to this position.

 https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_InformationandCommunication.pdf 

Applicants must fully complete the summary of experience to determine if minimum qualifications are met.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Participate in agency activities related to the legislative session; and attend legislative hearings and meetings with legislators, legislative staff, and other legislative liaisons.

2. Coordinate agency interaction and testimony before legislative committees.

3. Conduct policy analysis and research.

4. Coordinate responses to legislative inquires, and review and edit legislative correspondence.

5. Coordinate communication with legislative support and executive agencies.

6. Develop proper protocol and procedures for communicating with legislators and staff.

7. Monitor standing and interim committee schedules and agendas and communicate relevant information to agency management.

8. Prepare reports on newly enacted laws and pending state and federal legislation.

9. Prepare report summaries of meetings and hearings.

10. Identify a need for, develop, schedule, and conduct legislative training for employees within the agency.

11. Prepare, edit, evaluate, and distribute responses and informational materials to legislators and legislative staff.

12. Review applicable legislation, assign legislation to the appropriate division, monitor the status of legislation that impacts the department.

13. Receive incoming calls, answer various questions, or make referrals, route calls, take messages.

14. Participate in meetings and conference calls on behalf of the division/department.

15. Provide administrative support such as compiling and maintaining statistics, editing materials.

16. Coordinate assigned projects, providing direction to other employees within the division.

17. Conduct research to ensure the completeness and accuracy of information/printed materials.

18. Serve as secondary timekeeper approver.

19. Serve as the Records Retention/Management Liaison for the division.

20. May assist with budget preparation.

21. May train, assign and/or supervise the work of others.

22. Attend work regularly and observe approved work hours in accordance with agency leave and attendance policies.

23. Perform other duties as assigned.

GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS and REQUIREMENTS:

Education - Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in government, public relations/administration, business, advertising, communications, criminal justice, or related field is preferred. 

Experience – Two (2) years’ work experience in government, public relations/administration, or communications work. Experience with the Texas Legislature or with a state agency in government relations is preferred.

Substitution Note: Additional work experience of the type described or other related education may be substituted for one another on a year for year basis. 

Licensure and/or Certification - If driving is required, must possess a valid driver license and automobile insurance.

Regulatory/Compliance – Must possess a working knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly assimilate information related to TXDPS, State, and Federal regulations, legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures. 

Decision making/Problem Solving and Judgment – Must demonstrate an ability to accurately identify issues and problems and determine optimal courses of action and outcomes.

Research and Comprehension – Must demonstrate ability to quickly and efficiently access relevant information, determine when sufficient data/information has been obtained, identify trends and relationships in information/data, and be able to utilize and/or present research and conclusions in a clear and concise manner.

Analytical Reasoning/Attention to Detail – Must demonstrate an ability to examine data/information, discern variations/similarities, and b able to identify trends, relationships and causal factors, as well as grasp issues, draw accurate conclusions, and solve problems.

Flexibility/Adaptability – Must demonstrate an ability to effectively shift priorities/tasks as necessary or directed and on short notice. Must be open and receptive to change, focusing on positive approaches and outcomes.

Initiative- Must demonstrate a proactive approach to duties, anticipating essential needs, complications, and remedies. Must demonstrate ability to manage own time, priorities and resources to successfully meet job requirements. 

Organizational and Prioritization Skills – Must demonstrate an ability to prioritize in a multi-demand and constantly changing environment, able to meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines without sacrificing accuracy, timeliness or professionalism.

Communication and Interpersonal/Relationship Management Skills – Must demonstrate an ability to exercise poise, tact, diplomacy and an ability to establish and maintain positive, working/professional relationships with internal/external customers.

Technology (computers/ hardware/software) – Must possess appropriate levels of proficiency with Microsoft Office and be able to learn new software systems.

Confidentiality – Must demonstrate an ability to responsibly handle sensitive and confidential information and situations, and adhere to applicable laws/statutes/policies related to access, maintenance and dissemination of information.

Schedule/Travel - Must be able to travel within the state of Texas on an occasional basis.

PHYSICAL and/or ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS:
The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job; reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Environment: Office; 
• Ambulatory skills include frequent sitting, standing, and walking; 
• Hand-eye coordination and arm/hand/finger dexterity;
• Ability to speak, hear, and exercise visual acuity;
• Ability to transfer weights of 10 pounds anticipated for this position;
• Driving requirements: Low – 1 or less times/week.

State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information: https://www.ers.texas.gov/

Current DPS employees who submit applications for posted DPS positions shall notify their immediate supervisor in writing.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in the same salary group and state title as their current position will be transferred with no salary change.

A DPS employee who is selected for a position in their current salary group with a new state title may receive an increase of no more than 3.4% over their current salary regardless of posted salary.

Salary is contingent upon qualifications and is subject to salary administration and budgetary restrictions.

DUE TO THE HIGH VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS WE DO NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS. ONLY CANDIDATES SELECTED FOR INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.

State of Texas retirees may be rehired for full-time, non-commissioned positions only under very specific circumstances.