Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

The Government Affairs and Policy Department (GAPD) is looking for a State Affairs Advisor. In this position, you will have the opportunity to work in close partnership with the Legislative Affairs Manager to advance Metro’s state legislative priorities and will be responsible for advancing your own portfolio of the state legislative agenda adopted by the Metro Council. This position helps the Metro Council and Metro staff leadership develop and advance policy priorities and will implement strategies to achieve Metro’s priorities in partnership with local government, community organizations, business groups and other key external stakeholders.

As the State Affairs Advisor, you will

Represent and advocate for Metro and Metro’s policy priorities to external partners including legislators, jurisdictional partners, and community organizations
Effectively communicate policy positions, analysis, and advocacy strategy to a wide array of internal and external stakeholders including delivering and preparing presentations and briefings, policy research papers and strategic communication
Provide policy analysis and political strategy to advance Metro Council’s policy priorities in the Oregon Legislature and in the region
Build and maintain productive relationships with Metro Council and staff leadership, as well as partners and stakeholders including local government partners, community organizations and business groups
Collaborate with the Government Affairs team, Metro Council, Metro staff and external partners to advance the agency’s policy and funding priorities
Build, advance and participate in strategic coalition efforts to further Metro’s priorities

Attributes for Success

Local, regional and state political issues and the Oregon political landscape
The executive and legislative decision-making process at the local and state levels
Ability to communicate policy positions and Metro’s vision clearly and persuasively to a wide spectrum of individuals and groups
Plan and implement complex strategies in a political environment to advance policy priorities
Engage a diverse set of stakeholders in policy development process
Build and maintain coalitions across a variety of issue areas and with a variety of stakeholders
Understand and process complex ideas and policies and summarize main points succinctly
Quickly learn the fundamentals of new policy topics, key challenges, and primary stakeholders
Correctly assess the political and institutional environment in which decisions are made and implemented
Work closely and maintain productive relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders including elected officials, senior-level decisions makers, and community organizations
Work well independently and as a part of a team
Use high levels of collaboration, strategy, discretion and the ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive matters

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan

TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a field related to assigned responsibilities such as political science, public administration or any degree related to the job’s duties; AND
Four years of directly related and progressively responsible experience providing government affairs, policy analysis and/or political communications services; OR
Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities

Working Conditions

Extensive travel to Salem, Oregon during the legislative session

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Hybrid Telework

At this time, this position is designated as “hybrid telework.” You will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The manager will work with you to identify a schedule that balances the operational needs of the department and your needs. Employees must reside in Oregon or Washington to work at Metro

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

Knowledge and/or experience with one or more of the follow areas: transportation, land use, housing and homelessness, parks and nature, solid waste and recycling, and visitor venues
Knowledge and/or experience with the priorities and values in Metro’s Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Understanding of political and regulatory environment affecting one or more of the following areas: local governments generally, transportation, land use, housing and homelessness, parks and nature, solid waste and recycling and visitor venues
Existing relationships with key state legislators, as well as regional and/or community partners

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

A completed Resume that includes the details for each employer
1. Name of employer, working title
2. Dates of employment; including if the work was full-time or part-time your title,
3. Number of employees supervised
4. Summary of your responsibilities
A cover letter addressing how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position.

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

Initial review of minimum qualifications
In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
Consideration of top candidates/interviews
Testing/assessments (if applicable)
Reference check
Background, driving records check for finalist candidate (if applicable)

COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND REPRESENTATON

The full-salary range for this position is step 1 $115,696.00 to step 7 $147,661.15. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made between step 1 $115,696.00 to the equity range step # 3 $127,554.84.

This position is not eligible for overtime and is non-represented. It is classified as a Policy Advisor III

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?

Talent Acquisition Specialist: Kara Hill

Email: Kara.Hill@oregonmetro.gov

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework

Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do.Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply

For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.

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