Legislative Liaison

Colorado School of Mines•Colorado, CO

1d•$86,500 - $96,100•Onsite

About The Position

The Legislative Liaison serves as the university’s primary staff lead for state government relations, coordinating and managing legislative engagement, and supporting the execution of the institution’s state advocacy and outreach strategy. While state relations are the primary focus, the position supports and advances the Office of Public Affairs and External Relations’ government and community engagement portfolio, including relationship building with community organizations and cross cutting government relations initiatives. Reporting to the Executive Director of Public Affairs and External Relations, this position plays a critical operational role during the Colorado legislative session by monitoring legislation, coordinating institutional responses, supporting testimony, and advancing policy and funding priorities aligned with the university’s mission. The position works with university leadership, faculty, staff, and external partners to ensure a coordinated local, state, and federal legislative and outreach strategy. The role collaborates with communications colleagues to provide support for advocacy related press, outreach, and social media tied to governmental relations efforts. This role requires regular and frequent presence on campus in Golden, Colorado.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in political science, public policy, public administration, communications, or a related field.
3 or more years of experience in legislative affairs, government relations, public policy, public relations, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated understanding of legislative and governmental processes; state government experience strongly preferred.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a dynamic political environment.
Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in State-level science, innovation, higher education, or research‑focused policy environments.
Experience planning and supporting advocacy events, legislative briefings, or stakeholder engagement programs.
Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Manage and coordinate, in partnership with external government affairs partners, engagement with the Colorado General Assembly and relevant executive‑branch agencies during the legislative session.
Monitor, track, analyze, and summarize state legislation, budget actions, regulatory developments, and policy proposals affecting the university.
Coordinate institutional testimony, witness preparation, bill support or opposition materials, and legislative meetings.
Prepare and distribute briefing materials, bill analyses, talking points, memos, and written updates for senior leadership and campus stakeholders.
Provide policy research and operational support to inform the Executive Director’s review and institutional decision‑making regarding positions on state legislation, policy proposals, and funding priorities.
In collaboration with internal and government affairs partners, support the development and implementation of the university’s annual state legislative strategy in alignment with institutional goals.
Advance awareness of the university’s research strengths, academic programs, workforce development capacity, and innovation ecosystem.
Advocate for policy and investment in higher education, science, engineering, innovation, training, and infrastructure aligned with institutional priorities.
Track legislative outcomes and assess impacts, in coordination with government affairs partners, to help inform future advocacy strategies.
Work closely with the Executive Director and campus partners to ensure alignment of local, state, and federal legislative priorities, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy across jurisdictions.
Share legislative intelligence, policy analysis, and engagement outcomes across the university to support institutional planning and decision‑making.
Assist with federal relations activities as needed, including policy tracking, preparation of briefing materials, coordination of meetings or visits, and issue research.
Build and maintain productive working relationships with state legislators, legislative staff, executive‑branch officials, and policy advisors.
Support engagement with local and regional officials and community‑based organizations in coordination with the Office of Public Affairs & External Relations.
Represent the university in meetings, briefings, hearings, coalitions, and external forums.
Maintain situational awareness of political, policy, and budgetary dynamics to anticipate emerging issues and opportunities.
Position the university as a trusted and preferred partner for state and regional government entities.
Support engagement with industry partners, higher‑education associations, advocacy coalitions, and community organizations aligned with institutional goals.
Work in coordination with the Mines Foundation to help identify and engage alumni, industry leaders, and community partners who can support advocacy priorities.
Partner across campus—including academic leadership, faculty experts, research administration, communications staff, and the Mines Foundation—to ensure coordinated engagement and consistent messaging.
Plan and support legislative briefings, campus visits, tours, recognition events, and programs at the State Capitol and on campus.
Engage faculty, staff, and students to inform, and when appropriate, participate in advocacy and governmental relations efforts.
Maintain a visible and accessible campus presence to support relationship‑building and information sharing.
Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to support advocacy‑related outreach and media coordination.
Assist with drafting or reviewing content for social media, web updates, press materials, and digital communications related to public policy, government, and external engagement.
Help ensure advocacy messaging is timely, accurate, and aligned with institutional priorities and approved positions.
Draft correspondence, reports, fact sheets, presentations, and background materials for policymakers and external stakeholders.
Track activities, outputs, and outcomes related to legislative engagement and advocacy initiatives.
Contribute to cross‑office initiatives and special projects within the Office of Public Affairs and External Relations as assigned.

Benefits

Flexible health and dental care options
Generous sick/vacation time
13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
Free RTD Ecopass
Discount programs through the State of Colorado
Free tickets for Mines Athletics home games
Access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more)
Equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center
On campus daycare center