Government Relations Manager

State of Oregon • Salem, OR

3d • $7,537 - $11,657 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Department of State Lands (DSL) is seeking a Government Relations Manager to lead its policy and legislative work. This role involves providing guidance on policy, legislation, land management, and regulatory issues to leadership, and serving as the Department's Tribal Liaison. The position is statewide and reports to the Salem office. It is a management services supervisory position with a one-year trial service period. An informational session will be held on Monday, August 3rd, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (PST) via Microsoft Teams to provide more information about the role and the agency.

Requirements

• Six (6) years of supervision, management, or progressively related experience; OR three (3) years of related experience and a bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Experience in public policy and legislation.
• Ability to exercise a high level of diplomacy, professionalism, and discretion.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of people, perspectives, and situations, including those that may be tense or emotionally charged, while maintaining composure and sound judgment.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, often within short timeframes.
• Ability to coordinate complex workstreams with tight deadlines and frequent interruptions.
• Ability to apply critical thinking and professional judgment to analyze alternatives and interpret laws, regulations, and standards.
• Ability to apply an equity lens to all assigned duties and daily work to ensure decision-making and resource allocation reflect the needs of all Oregonians.
• Must complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States within three days of hire.
• Subject to a fingerprint background check for any convictions directly related to its duties and responsibilities.

Nice To Haves

• Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to adapt communication style to the intended audience
• Experience working in state legislatures
• Experience collaborating and building relationships with the public, legislature, tribes and national partners; preferably in natural resources
• Strong project management and organization skills
• Experience with public records management and related laws
• Experience leading or supervising staff, assigning work, and evaluating workload, preferably in alignment with the statewide fiscal calendar
• Demonstrated ability to navigate high-pressure, fast-moving, work situations while portraying calmness and reassurance to staff
• Demonstrated dedication to the growth and development of others, including experience coming alongside staff to provide feedback, coach, and explain decisions
• Training skills to evaluate staff and implement development plans for increased accuracy, timeliness, and productivity in a collaborative way

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of legislator initiated and agency legislative concepts, as well as budget proposals, ahead of each legislative session.
• Coordinate bill reviews, draft and deliver testimony, and manage legislative engagement during sessions.
• Track post-session bill impacts and ensure follow-up on commitments and required actions.
• Serve as primary liaison to the Governor’s Office, legislators, and key stakeholders for legislative updates.
• Advise and brief the Director and executive leadership on emerging issues, political context, and stakeholder perspectives.
• Draft complex internal policies, administrative rules, and proposed legislation.
• Represent the agency in public meetings, hearings, task forces, and interagency workgroups.
• Conduct research and develop recommendations on policy, regulatory, and operational issues.
• Facilitate departmental policy development and negotiate with internal and external partners to resolve issues.
• Serve as the agency’s Tribal Liaison, leading government-to-government relations and tribal engagement.
• Support environmental justice initiatives and build connections with underrepresented communities.
• Lead and coordinate cross-agency projects, staffing plans, and deliverables, providing recommendations to executive leadership.

Benefits

• 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums paid by the agency for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.
• Accrue at least 8 hours of sick leave and at least 10 hours of vacation leave per month, with vacation leave accruals increasing every 5 years.
• 11 paid holidays, 1 floating holiday, 3 personal business days.
• Optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
• Automatic enrollment into the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) after 6 months of full-time service.
• Agency-maintained vehicles for travel.
• Reimbursement for field gear and travel expenses for authorized, on-the-job travel.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree