Director, Government Relations

To advocate at the local, state and federal levels the district developed priorities on behalf of the School Board and Superintendent. To build relationships on behalf of the district that will result in accomplishing the priorities to support the district, schools and classroom needs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Master’s degree
2. Broad knowledge of public school system operation.
3. Five (5) years of successful professional experience working with local, state or federal governmental agencies and officials.
4. Successful experience in the preparation and presentation of oral and written reports to diverse groups of legislators, educators and laypersons.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the legislative process. Knowledge of organization and management theory and practice. Knowledge and commitment to decentralized decision-making and accountability for results. Demonstrated success working with and through people in establishing goals objectives and action plans to achieve district goals. Ability to communicate and work effectively with people. Ability to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with District personnel and various governmental agencies and personnel. Ability to facilitate group processes in consensus building, conflict resolution, planning and decision-making. Understands that quality teaching and learning are the essential processes and product of public schools. Ability to make quick decisions, revise positions, manage time wisely, work independently, and relate information effectively.

REPORTS TO: Chief Communications Officer

SUPERVISES: May supervise administrative support staff

MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT:
Machines, tools, equipment, electronic devices, vehicles, etc., used in this position. Telephone, Computer, (Personal Computer and Mainframe), Automobile, Copier.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Describes physical conditions of this position.

Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated as Light Work.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:
Physical activities of this position. Percent of a typical day involved in each applicable activity is noted.

Percentage
70 Sitting: Resting with the body supported by the buttocks or thighs.
10 Standing: Assuming an upright position on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
10 Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances.
5 Bending: Lowering the body forward from the waist.
5 Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
5 Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position through the use of the upper extremities and back muscles exerting up to 10 pounds of force.
80 Finger Dexterity: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm.
70 Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
90 Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which detailed or important spoken instructions must be conveyed accurately, loudly or quickly.
90 Hearing Acuity: The ability to perceive speech and other environmental sounds at normal loudness levels.
90 Visual Acuity: The power to see at a level which allows reading of numbers and text, operation of equipment, inspection of machines, etc.

Note: Will total more than 100 percent as several activities may be performed at one time.

WORKING CONDITIONS:
Conditions the worker will be subject to in this position.

Indoors and Outdoors: The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside.

PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Manifests a professional code of ethics and values.
* Responds to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous and empathetic manner representing OCPS in a positive light.
* Models the routine, intentional and effective use of technology in daily work, including communications, organization and management tasks.
* Directs government relations consistent with district goals; develops plans and identifies district goals for related activities.
* Monitors government regulations and compliance issues related to OCPS.
* Works in tandem with Associate General Counsel, Education Policy and Legislative and
Congressional Matters.
* Assist in liaising with local government to review developer land use applications and plans submitted to or prepared by the local governments and make recommendations on actions that should be taken that benefit the interests of OCPS and the students it serves.
* Assists as needed in representing the District during the state legislative session.
* Assists as needed in providing legislative lobbying at the federal level.
* Maintains information flow to and from the District related to current and proposed legislation.
* Provides updates to superintendent, board, administrators, school and parent groups concerning pertinent government issues.
* Assists in developing, implementing, and distributing legislative platform.
* Works with and through various resources to gather information-supporting OCPS legislative platform needs.
* Works collaboratively with District, area and school personnel to assess the potential impact of current and proposed governmental actions.
* Attends meetings of pertinent associations and organizations that further the districts interest with elected officials.
* Establishes timeline and format for school board and legislative delegation activities.
* Attends staff and board meetings.
* Provides community involvement by serving on appropriate boards, making presentations, and serving as a liaison between the community and the schools.
* Follow the district’s policies and procedures as related to all HRMD guidelines and the district’s instructional initiatives.
* Follow the district’s policies and procedures as related to fixed assets.

* Develop leadership in subordinates.
* Responsible for keeping up to date on current technology being used by OCPS. With the support of the district, attends training to ensure skill level in various technologies is at the level required to perform in current position.
* Responsible for maintaining timely and accurate information and accountable for the quality of information maintained by those they supervise.
* Responsible for self-development and keeping up to date on current research, trends and best practices relevant to the area of responsibility.
* Essential Performance Responsibilities

Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Non-bargaining Unit Compensation Plan, twelve months, 8.0 hours per day.

EVALUATION:
Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.