Title:  Legislative Liaison

Summary/Objective

The legislative liaison will be responsible for representation of the Department of Conservation on legislative matters before the General Assembly, the Governor's Office, other federal and state government agencies, and conservation-focused associations and organizations.

Essential Job Duties

• Serves as lead liaison with members of the General Assembly and Executive Branch and provides interagency coordination with various federal, state, and non-governmental interest groups on conservation issues. 
• Works directly with State Legislature on legislative hearings and fiscal issues.
• Manages and develops legislative and communication strategies on introduced legislation.
• Plans content and development of presentations and materials for legislative committees.
• Responds to legislator inquiries for information and assistance on Department programs, services and policies.
• Coordinates appropriate responses to inquiries with Department leadership and Branch Chiefs.
• Prepares and presents testimony for legislative committee hearings and legislative committees.
• Attends legislative hearings and closely tracks legislative floor activity and reviews and tracks bills filed in the General Assembly regarding impacts on Department and conservation programs.
• Coordinates Department positions on legislative and public policy matters.
• Provides effective communications with elected officials about Department programs and natural resource management.
• Assists in obtaining legislative authorization for the Department's operational and capital improvement bills.
• Coordinates with other Deputy Directors and the Chief Budget Officer to develop the annual agency budget that advances priorities of the Commission-approved strategic plan. 
• Organizes special legislative field trips and events focused on increasing the General Assembly's understanding and support of Department services.
• Monitors and evaluates state and federal regulated activities that have the potential to impact fish, forest, and wildlife resources to minimize negative consequences to those resources.
• Coordinates public speaking engagements with external partners. 
• Serves as a liaison for the Department to other conservation-based organizations. 
• Provides effective communication to conservation focused organizations. 

Ancillary Job Duties

• Serves as a liaison to the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation. 
• Coordinates with Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation's Executive Director and Board on business meetings, grant programs, MONASP State Tournament, and Foundation fundraising events.
• Administers the Department's Land and Conservation Partner Grant Program.
• Coordinates with regional staff, conservation partners, and government entities on program eligibility and application deadlines.
• Provides training to regional staff on program eligibility, review applications, and finalizes recommendations for Administration.
• Attends annual conferences and events.
• Employ meaningful measures to solicit and evaluate external input to improve Department processes and accountability. 
• Coordination and relationship building with conservation and agricultural groups, monitor state and federal regulations, coordinate with other branches. 
• Other duties as assigned. 

Education and Experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Work Environment

Physical Abilities

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive; an employee will also perform other reasonably related job responsibilities as assigned by immediate supervisor and other management as required.  The Missouri Department of Conservation reserves the right to revise or change job duties as the need arises.  This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.  Management reserves the right to change job descriptions, job duties, functions, and requirements.