Government Affairs Liaison

Job Type: Business Operations

Pay Range $137,800 to $163,600

Location Colorado Springs, CO

Date First Posted 4/29/24

Applications are being accepted until: 5/20/24

*If no date is displayed, applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis; however, this job posting may close at any time after a minimum of 5 days of being posted.

Government Affairs Liaison

Please note that the work performed in this role will be done in Denver and at the Colorado State Capitol.

Colorado Springs Utilities is hiring a Government Affairs Liaison to serve as the corporate state lobbyist for our four-service public utility in establishing and maintaining positive business relationships with state policy makers and staff. This position is responsible for monitoring and reviewing state legislative actions and resolutions; assessing the potential impact to our utility; communicating the impact(s) to our leadership; and creating and implementing strategies to mitigate the impact of legislative actions and new regulatory requirements.

A day in the life of a Government Affairs Liaison may include:

• Advocating for Colorado Springs Utilities' positions before the Colorado General Assembly, Governor's Office, and State Agencies

• Assisting in the drafting of legislation, amendments, and testimonies

• Testifying on behalf of Colorado Springs Utilities in legislative or agency proceedings

• Providing expert counsel and collaborating with our Government Affairs staff and corporate subject matter experts on key strategic and high profile issues, projects, initiatives, and programs

• Providing advice and recommendations to management regarding policy decisions

• Monitoring the legislative process to assess the impact of state regulations

• Developing and maintaining effective relationships, both in and out of regular legislative session, with the Governor of Colorado, Colorado legislators, Colorado Attorney General, Agency and/or Department heads, Colorado Lobby Corps, Non-Governmental Advocacy Organizations, and respective staff and key stakeholders

• Maintaining an active in-person presence at the Colorado General Assembly during its regular, special sessions and at any relevant interim committee meetings or hearings

• Serving as a Colorado Springs Utilities official representative on state trade associations and as an active participant in trade association meetings

• Managing the work of Colorado Springs Utilities' contract lobbyists

• Assisting in advancing the legislative objectives of Colorado's municipally-owned utilities

• Maintaining active lobbyist registration with the Colorado Secretary of State and lobbying disclosure records on behalf of Colorado Springs Utilities

Who You Are

• Demonstrated Colorado state legislature/legislative process experience

• Juris Doctorate or Master's Degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Public Relations, or a related field is valued

• Possession of a valid, unrestricted driver's license is required ; this position requires operating Colorado Springs Utilities vehicles

Our Commitment to Our Employees

Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities. They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving. We do not just say people are important – we prove it! That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

• Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge

• Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year

• Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave

• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year

• Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather

• Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time

• Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire

• Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $0 per month. Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)

• Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements

• Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)

• Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)

• Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans

• Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more

• Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)

• Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage available (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)

• Tuition Reimbursement – Employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually for Tuition Reimbursement

• Qualifying Public Service Employer – Payments made towards student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

ATTENTION :

• All positions will be posted for a minimum of 5 calendar days.

• Starting pay will be determined within the posted pay range based on the experience, education, and training of the successful candidate; if there is a single pay rate posted, the job starts at that rate.

• Colorado Springs Utilities does not sponsor work visas of any kind (including but not limited to F-1, H-1B, or TN visas to include those with a STEM OPT extension ). Eligible applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

Colorado Springs Utilities is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Our differences make us richer. Learning and growing from one another makes us more than what we were. We want our workforce to be as diverse as our business and recognize the limitless benefits of this commitment. Our desire is to have the organization reflect the diversity of the Pikes Peak Region. As an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, it is our commitment that no person shall be unlawfully discriminated against because of race, color, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, religious convictions, veteran status, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Affirmative Action is Colorado Springs Utilities’ effort to ensure positive steps are taken to have a representative workforce reflective of the relevant available labor force.

For more information regarding applicant rights, visit https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/ofccpost.htm

Accessibility Accommodations . If you are an individual with a disability or disabled veteran who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, you may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting us at accessibility@csu.org or by calling 719-668-7500. This option is reserved for individuals who are unable to use or require assistance with the online tools as the result of a disability and is not intended for other purposes.

E-Verify and Right to Work Notice . Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Colorado Springs Utilities participates in E-Verify. For more information on your rights and responsibilities as an applicant, please visit: http://coloradospringsutilities.jobs/applicants-rights-and-responsibilities/ . If you have a legal right to work in the United States, there are laws to protect you against discrimination in the workplace. You should know that no employer can deny you a job or fire you because of your national origin. Unless mandated by law or government contract, employers cannot require you to be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident or refuse any legally acceptable documents. If any of these things have happened to you, you may have a valid charge of discrimination that can be filed with the OSC. Contact the OSC for assistance in your own language. Call 1-800-255-7688. TDD for the hearing impaired is 1-800-237-2515. In the Washington, D.C., area, please call 202-616-5594, TDD 202-616-5525 Or write to: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Special Counsel NYA 950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, DC 20530.

Have a question? If you have a question about a position or need assistance from a recruiter, email us at csurecruiting@csu.org or call 719-668-7500.

Job Type: Business Operations