Government Affairs Specialist

City of Detroit•DWSD -735 Randolph Detroit MI 48226, MI

18h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Government Affairs Coordinator serves as the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department’s (DWSD) primary liaison to state and federal elected officials, legislative staff, and regulatory agencies on water and wastewater policy. This role advances the utility's legislative agenda, secures state and federal infrastructure funding, and builds relationships with lawmakers and their staff to advocate for policies supporting the utility's operational, financial, and public health mission.

Requirements

Working knowledge of the legislative process at both state and federal levels; familiarity with EPA/state primacy agency structure preferred.
Familiarity with water sector policy and funding mechanisms (SRF programs, WIFIA, rate-setting, consent decrees) strongly preferred.
Existing relationships with state/federal officials, legislative staff, or state environmental agency contacts strongly preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills; comfort with public testimony and technical-to-lay translation (e.g., explaining PFAS treatment costs to a legislator).
Work effectively in a team-based, flexible workforce with minimal supervision
Ability to travel to state capital and Washington, D.C. as needed.
Bachelor's degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Environmental Policy, Communications, or related field (Master's a plus).
3–7+ years of experience in government relations, legislative staff work, public affairs, or water utility regulatory affairs.
Valid Michigan Driver’s License

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with EPA/state primacy agency structure preferred.
Familiarity with water sector policy and funding mechanisms (SRF programs, WIFIA, rate-setting, consent decrees) strongly preferred.
Existing relationships with state/federal officials, legislative staff, or state environmental agency contacts strongly preferred.
Master's degree

Responsibilities

Track, analyze, and report on state and federal legislation affecting water/wastewater operations — Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act reauthorizations, PFAS regulation, lead service line replacement mandates, water affordability and shutoff policy, stormwater and combined sewer overflow (CSO) requirements, biosolids regulation, and water rights/allocation issues.
Draft position papers, testimony, and talking points.
Build and maintain relationships with state legislators, congressional delegations, Federal and State legislative staff, and relevant committee members (e.g., state environment/natural resources committees, House/Senate committees overseeing EPA).
Represent the utility at legislative sessions, hearings, and regulatory stakeholder meetings.
Identify, pursue, and help administer state and federal funding — Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), WIFIA loans, USDA Rural Development water/wastewater grants and loans, Bureau of Reclamation programs, and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) appropriations.
Coordinate with finance and engineering teams on applications, match requirements, and compliance/reporting obligations.
Partner with various trade associations — AWWA (American Water Works Association), AMWA (Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies), NACWA (National Association of Clean Water Agencies), WEF (Water Environment Federation), and state rural water associations — on shared legislative priorities.
Monitor EPA rulemaking (e.g., PFAS MCLs, Lead and Copper Rule Improvements) and state EGLE, MDEQ and other agency actions; coordinate utility comments during rulemaking and public comment periods.
Brief executive leadership and the BOWC on legislative developments, funding opportunities, and regulatory/political risk.
Coordinate with legal, engineering, and regulatory compliance staff on overlapping issues (rate cases, capital improvement plans, consent decrees).
Draft correspondence to elected officials, prepare briefing materials, and coordinate facility tours (treatment plants, pump stations) for legislators and staff.
Ensure all lobbying activity complies with state/federal lobbying disclosure and ethics laws.