Government Relations Associate

The Nature Conservancy•Minneapolis, MN

5d•$65,000 - $70,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As our Government Relations Associate, you will play a key role on the Policy and Government Relations team for the MNDK Chapter of TNC (supporting Minnesota-North Dakota-South Dakota.) In coordination with the Director of Policy and Government Relations for MN-ND-SD, you will help drive forward our policy work at the Minnesota State Capitol and work broadly in support of The Nature Conservancy’s conservation priorities and goals across MN, ND, and SD. You will also advance the Conservancy’s policy and public funding goals and provides research, policy analysis and strategy development for policies related to the Conservancy’s land, water, climate, and agriculture objectives. This includes tracking hearings, policies and decisions directly related to these policy areas, while also providing additional internal and external coordination, research, meeting and communications coordination as needed. You will provide research and policy analysis in support of legislative, corporate and/or policy priorities; and collaborate with team members to prepare lobbying materials, memos, and other communications for elected and other public officials, internal staff and the Chapter Board of Trustees. You will develop strategic partnerships with relevant agencies, conservation organizations, and/or industry. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to supervising interns or temporary staff, financial management (developing and working within a budget, processing check requests, and completing travel expense reports,) supporting Policy and Government Relations team projects, administrative functions or similar duties, ensuring program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years related work experience or equivalent combination.
Fluency in English.
Experience researching information from divergent sources and compiling it into a cohesive report.
Experience preparing written materials such as, but not limited to memos, research documents, policy summaries, official correspondence.
Experience presenting to and communicating with internal and external audiences.
Experience interacting with senior leadership in a professional manner.
Valid driver's license and compliance with TNC’s Auto Safety Program.
Ability to pass a background screening process.
Ability to complete a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

Nice To Haves

Multi-lingual skills and multi-cultural experience.
Experience with strategy development for legislative, planning, and policy initiatives at the state and local level.
Experience presenting to and communicating with government or corporate staff and/or program leadership.
Experience working with partners including government agencies and the corporate sector.
Experience coordinating complex projects in a decentralized organization, working across teams, operating units and functions to achieve optimal results.
Experience building networks, facilitating informational sessions, increasing internal knowledge and capacity, and identifying key stakeholders.
Experience, coursework, or other training in public policy, government relations environment, conservation, energy, agriculture, or climate-related policies.

Responsibilities

Help drive forward policy work at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Advance the Conservancy’s policy and public funding goals.
Provide research, policy analysis and strategy development for policies related to land, water, climate, and agriculture objectives.
Track hearings, policies and decisions related to policy areas.
Provide internal and external coordination, research, meeting and communications coordination.
Prepare lobbying materials, memos, and other communications for elected and other public officials, internal staff and the Chapter Board of Trustees.
Develop strategic partnerships with relevant agencies, conservation organizations, and/or industry.
Supervise interns or temporary staff.
Manage financial aspects including developing and working within a budget, processing check requests, and completing travel expense reports.
Support Policy and Government Relations team projects, administrative functions or similar duties.
Ensure program compliance with internal policies and external requirements.