CPW Legislative Liaison IV - Denver, CO (Onsite)

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position focuses exclusively on Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)-related legislative and policy issues. Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Policy and Planning, this role develops and manages CPW’s legislative program, collaborating with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to meet legislative and programmatic goals. The position acts as a senior authority influencing statutory changes affecting the state's management of parks and wildlife resources by identifying, developing, and coordinating CPW’s legislative priorities. It communicates agency recommendations and receives strategic guidance from DNR’s Director of Legislative Affairs to align with the Administration. Responsibilities include responding to legislator inquiries, drafting position requests, testimony, and talking points for relevant bills, and coordinating CPW staff for timely and accurate responses. The individual engages with external stakeholders throughout the legislative process and consults with CPW’s Director and Executive Management Team. This position is supervised by CPW but coordinates closely with and functions under the oversight of DNR’s Director of Legislative Affairs for lobbying support to ensure departmental compliance and consistent legislative engagement. Key duties also include managing CPW’s portion of SMART Act hearings, coordinating the Division’s response to Joint Budget Committee meetings, and supporting Parks and Wildlife Commissioners during confirmation hearings.

Requirements

Seven (7) years of relevant experience of professional experience in the analysis of public policy, private sector policy, or legislation this includes: defining, researching, analyzing and presenting recommendations to internal and external stakeholders regarding public policy; writing talking points; writing and presenting briefing papers; lobbying, and/or writing communications.
State of Colorado residency is required at the time of application.
Must maintain a safe driving record and a valid driver license prior to driving any State-owned vehicle if required to drive a State-owned vehicle.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Excellent level of written and oral communication skills.
Strong multi-tasking skills.
Excellent time management skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Google Suite.
Ability to work independently and take initiative by using critical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify solutions for program or process challenges.
Experience managing calls, email requests and/or responding to difficult conversations with tact, diplomacy and in a timely manner.
Experience working according to detailed policies, procedures, and deadlines.
Lobbying experience.
Experience coordinating or leading teams with different levels of experience and subject matter expertise.
Knowledge and familiarity with policy analysis and legislative processes.
Experience gathering internal and external stakeholder input and soliciting feedback on potential or proposed legislation from stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Current or former State of Colorado experience relevant to this position.
Previous experience in Natural Resources, Parks, Wildlife, Policy, or Outdoor Recreation related positions.
Experience leading or coordinating teams.
Experience developing, tracking and analyzing proposed legislation, presenting findings and providing recommendations regarding the status and impact of legislation.
Experience presenting verbal and written information to internal teams, stakeholders, legislators, and others in a clear and concise manner.
Familiarity with the fiscal note and budgetary processes associated with legislative efforts.
Project management experience, including determination of deadlines and how deadlines will be met.
Prior experience managing calendars, coordinating tasks, and communicating (and following up on) action items.

Responsibilities

Manages CPW’s Legislative Program, acting as the staff authority for influencing and advising on statutory changes affecting Parks and Wildlife management.
Develops and executes CPW’s legislative program, providing direction to others, analyzing legislation for impacts on CPW, and developing talking points and memos.
Coordinates internal staff, including subject matter experts, to ascertain perspectives and develop agency responses, preferences, and solutions to legislation.
Identifies external stakeholders and approaches needed to engage them in ways that advance CPW’s legislative portfolio.
Develops and defends division legislative testimony.
Acts as a liaison between CPW staff (from the Executive Management Team and Director’s office to program managers) and others engaged in legislation, including the Fiscal Note team.
Collaborates directly with and keeps apprised of DNR’s Director of Legislative Affairs to ensure a holistic approach to CPW-DNR legislative activities, including lobbying efforts with State Legislators.
Is in-person at the State Capitol during the legislative session.
Provides expertise on how, when, and in what ways to effectively lobby State Legislators on behalf of CPW in a lobbying support capacity.
Makes critical and strategic decisions about agency-wide policy and legislative processes, designs systems, guidelines, and rules for engaging with Legislators and external stakeholders.
Represents the agency’s perspectives when engaging stakeholders outside the agency, assigns staff to serve as subject matter experts, and sets corresponding timelines.
Collaborates with the DNR Director for Legislative Affairs to ensure CPW and DNR legislative priorities and goals are aligned.
Develops and possesses knowledge, experience, and familiarity with critical external stakeholders involved in the policy and legislative process.
Plans, assigns, implements, and maintains records of stakeholder engagement inquiries for CPW-priority bills and other proposals/policies that may impact the agency.
Manages the stakeholder engagement process, including regularly contacting and following up with partner organizations, stakeholder groups, and individuals to ensure their needs, concerns, and perspectives are addressed and incorporated into CPW’s legislative efforts.
Coordinates internal (CPW) engagement on legislative matters, including external engagement.
Regularly interacts with the DNR’s Director of Legislative Affairs on tasks spanning stakeholder engagement and lobbying.
Manages special projects with an emphasis on the analysis of legislative and state, regional, and national policy affecting CPW and on internal process improvement opportunities.
Researches, writes, and presents reports, briefings, and studies on policy issues for both internal and external distribution.
Prepares policy statements, white papers, and background documents for CPW, the Parks and Wildlife Commission, and the General Assembly.
Occasionally assists DNR’s Director of Legislative Affairs as needed related to implementing DNR’s broader legislative agenda during General Assembly sessions.

Benefits

Medical and Dental plans
Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax and Roth 401K and 457 plans
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Employee Wellness programs
Flexible Spending Accounts
Health Savings Accounts
11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program