Position Summary

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is hiring a Government Affairs Manager to join our team in New Mexico. Working under the direction of the Government Affairs Director, the Government Affairs Manager will be responsible for leading WRA’s legislative, regulatory, and administrative advocacy efforts in New Mexico. This position will involve working closely with WRA’s program and marketing and communications staff to advance innovative legislative and administrative policy solutions critical to addressing the state’s most pressing conservation challenges. The Government Affairs Manager will focus on advancing climate and conservation policies across WRA’s three program areas. Candidates should be highly motivated strategic thinkers who possesses sound judgment, strong decision-making skills, and political acumen. This is a great opportunity to help build WRA’s work in New Mexico as we drive evidence-based solutions to the climate crisis.

About Western Resource Advocates

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decision makers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

Location

The position can work remotely from the Albuquerque or Santa Fe area, from WRA’s Santa Fe office, or a hybrid remote and in-office setting.

Responsibilities And Activities

• Work collaboratively with WRA’s program and communications staff to develop and implement public policy advocacy efforts with legislative and administrative decision makers in the state
• Coordinate with WRA’s policy and marketing and communications staff to craft communications strategies and messaging that accurately and persuasively conveys WRA’s advocacy positions to stakeholders and decision makers
• Assist with building and maintaining relationships with elected leaders and other decision-makers, and serve as a liaison between them and WRA staff
• Assisting with identifying and managing effective coalitions of diverse partners in the region to advance WRA’s priorities
• In coordination with program staff, read and analyze the potential impact of proposed legislation and administrative policies
• Support the identification, recruitment, and organization of a diverse group of opinion leaders in the state to engage with decision-makers in support of WRA’s policies and positions
• Effectively communicate complex policy concepts to a diverse set of audiences
• Monitor and track relevant state and local policies, rules, and regulations
• Frequent travel to state capital during legislative session

Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions of this position, will be considered.  For example, the requisite experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities would include:

• A minimum of 4-years proven experience developing and executing strategic government affairs, external affairs, communications, and/or advocacy campaigns
• Understanding of, and familiarity with, local state politics and policy makers, especially as they relate to conservation and climate change policies
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with decision makers to advance WRA’s policy objectives
• Experience building coalitions with a diverse group of stakeholders to advance WRA’s public policy objectives
• Comfort and skill in communicating with a variety of constituencies and audiences
• Ability to apply communication skills to persuade, influence or lead others on complex subjects
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with attention to detail and follow‐through
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Ability to travel within WRA’s seven-state region to attend retreats and other events.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and knowledge centering equity in policy development
• Existing relationships with decision makers and influencers in WRA’s region

Physical Requirements

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Some travel is required.

Salary And Benefits

The salary range is $73,000-$90,000 annually; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k) retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive three weeks paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, one paid birthday off, 12 paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. After one-year employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave with the first six weeks paid, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is full-time exempt.

Deadline To Apply: Open Until Filled with priority review beginning on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Learn more about our commitment here: https://wraoldsite.wpengine.com/#commitment-to-diversity.

Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.

Apply To Be WRA’s Government Affairs Manager in New Mexico!