LEGISLATIVE LIAISON

Position Overview

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) seeks to hire a Legislative Liaison (PSA).  This position reports to the Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs and serves as DCEO’s liaison to the Illinois General Assembly on both legislative and constituent matters. Duties include, but are not limited to; developing and executing strategy for the passage of legislation impacting DCEO, analyzing and drafting legislation, responding to inquiries requests for information from Legislators, constituents, and the Governor’s Office, and developing and maintaining professional relationships with legislators, stakeholders, community members and peers at other agencies. An ideal candidate is organized, professional and a self-starter with at least two years' experience in legislative or state government roles. This role is authorized to lobby for legislation impacting DCEO and requires some travel for meetings.

Essential Functions

• Serves as liaison to legislative and constituent inquiries on Agencywide program matters assigned to the office, including tax incentive programs impacting DCEO.
• Organizes, evaluates, and executes legislative issues, including statewide grant program matters and tax incentive programs impacting the Agency.
• Coordinates all legislative issues and responses for grant programs.
• In the absence of the Manager, attends meetings and acts on the manager’s behalf in decision making activities.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with coursework in public administration, political science and government. 
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization, preferably in legislative process. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers three (3) years of professional experience developing, implementing, and evaluating legislative strategies to support the passage of bills impacting Illinois governmental policy.
• Prefers three (3) years of experience reviewing, analyzing, and drafting legislative language, including bill text, amendments, or policy proposals for a governmental agency or related entity.
• Prefers three (3) years of experience establishing, managing, and sustaining professional relationships with external stakeholders, including legislators, legislative staff, constituents, and governmental entities.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience conducting research and performing policy analysis on pending and enacted legislation, and preparing detailed reports, summaries, or briefings for internal and external stakeholders.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience drafting and editing formal written communications to constituents or the general public, demonstrating strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience participating in executive-level or decision-making meetings, including preparing materials, providing input, and documenting outcomes.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is to support and maintain a climate that enables a strong economy for our customers - taxpayers, businesses, workers and communities - by keeping, attracting and growing businesses, maintaining a skilled workforce, and enhancing communities so that the climate here is one in which businesses, small and large, and workers, can succeed to the greatest extent possible. The Illinois Department of Commerce delivers impactful and efficient programs and services through focused on business, community, and workforce development.