Government Affairs Coordinator

The Government Affairs Coordinator is a key position working directly with the Vice President of Government Affairs and SVP/Chief Mission Officer in the areas of government relations, external affairs, and departmental coordination. This position supports the Aquarium’s relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials, staff, and government agencies to achieve public funding and advocacy goals. This position coordinates activities for the Government Affairs team and Chief Mission Officer, including calendar management, scheduling, financial reporting, meeting preparation, data tracking, preparing department reports, event planning, office support, and coordinating meetings and activities for the Mission Advancement department. The Government Affairs Coordinator will assist with the preparation and distribution of government affairs related correspondence, publications, and other written materials. This individual must excel in a fast-paced work environment, manage own time effectively, act independently to solve issues, and adjust to needs and priorities that can change daily.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Coordinate Government Affairs public funding calendar and support execution of public funding requests.
• Organize scheduling, tracking, and maintenance of local, state, and federal funding requests.
• Schedule meetings with elected officials, government agencies, community stakeholders, and Aquarium partners.
• Create materials for government affairs meetings and solicitations, including presentations, proposals, reports, and letters, working with colleagues across the organization to as necessary to gather materials and information
• Tracks stakeholder engagement and supports cultivation efforts including site visits, tours, and special events.
• Coordinates visits by elected officials and VIPs, including reserving space, and coordinating catering, educational materials and logistics. Greet guests, join visits, and serves as primary tour guide or operations coordinator when necessary.
• Provide support for events, including the biennial Legislative Family Night. Leads event planning, when necessary.
• Draft correspondence to elected officials and staff.
• Responsible for solving problems related to coordinating events, including troubleshooting, solving time management concerns, and inter-departmental dynamic
• Maintain updated contacts and notes in Salesforce to ensure continued relationships between the Aquarium and its stakeholders.
• Provide project management support to the SVP/Chief Mission Officer and the VP of Government Affairs
• Draft reports, presentations, and documentation for Aquarium leadership.
• Responsible for project management of Government Affairs and external stakeholder meetings, including research, planning, and preparatio
• Compose, edit and proofread written materials for the department.
• Take accurate meeting minutes, and track and follow up on action items.
• Responsible for budget reporting in both Intacct and Nexonia accounting systems. Processes monthly credit card expenditures using Nexonia. Submit invoices and budget reports in a timely fashion.
• Prepare purchase orders, invoices, and maintain budget records. Execute contracts and purchasing for the department, when necessary.
• Process and track relevant department data and ensure information is catalogued in appropriate organizational databases.
• Manage calendar for the SVP, integrated with Leadership Team, and VP, and use keen judgement in prioritizing requests.
• Monitors legislation and administrative regulations affecting Aquarium operations and related to the Aquarium’s conservation mission.
• Works in partnership with the Senior Conservation Policy Manager to execute policy advocacy strategy. 
• Track legislation/regulations/public policy issues, monitor hearings, news releases, and other events.
• Prepares memos and submits testimony for legislation in support of public funding and policy advocacy priorities.
• Provide regular updates to the Government Affairs team on the status of priority legislation.
• Maintain relationships across the organization and with subject matter experts to ensure the Government Affairs team can leverage the resources required to accomplish advocacy and cultivation goals.
• Network and understand the functions and processes of Aquarium teams and their relationship to the organization’s mission.
• Attend cross departmental meetings to identify information that needs to be shared with stakeholders. Share updates from the team, as needed.
• Initiate and assist in developing and designing market specific publications and materials for cultivations and outreach.
• Serve as the Government Affairs liaison to and member of the Board Engagement Group and provide support in planning Board meetings, handling Board requests, and preparing necessary materials.
• Must maintain the utmost level of professionalism in responding to communications and when interacting with Board members, government officials, and other high-profile members of the community.
• Successful management of daily interactions with external entities that include legislative and community representatives, board members, Aquarium executives, staff and volunteers.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience Required

Qualifications/Basic Job Requirements:

• BA/BS in related field and 1-3 years of experience in government relations, development, state/local government, outreach and cultivation, communications, or other related field required Experience with meeting preparation, memo writing, and special event planning Experience managing complex projects, calendars, and timelines Competencies:
• Strong organizational skills that reflect the ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks seamlessly with excellent attention to detail Ability to work independently, manage own time effectively, maintain control over current projects/responsibilities.
• Follows up on all relevant issues Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships with stakeholders, including staff, Board members, external partners, and donors Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion, adapt to various competing demands, and demonstrate the highest level of customer/client service and response Possesses necessary knowledge to effectively perform job and able to apply what is learned on the job.
• Acquires new knowledge and skills as required by the job Problem solver and forward-looking thinker, who actively seeks opportunities and proposes solutions Strong writing and editing skills along with developed technical skills Experience in the Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) Knowledge of the legislative process at the local, state, and federal levels, including reading, understanding and developing abstracts for legislation Interest in environmental conservation issues preferred Must be able to work a flexible schedule including occasional evenings and weekends Human Relations:
• Work effectively with colleagues across the organization, in addition to organizational leadership, Board Members, volunteers and donors Highly responsive and eager to support projects and requests Sincere interest in government relations and external affairs at the non-profit level, stewarding relationships with local, state, and federal elected officials, staffs, and government agencies in order to support lobbying and advocacy efforts, producing products of exceptionally high quality Can be relied upon to meet work schedules and fulfill job responsibilities and commitments.
• Meets deadlines and follows instructions Adhere to all organizational and departmental policies and procedures The National Aquarium is committed to diversity and invites individuals who bring a diversity of culture, experience and ideas to apply.

Further Comments

• About the National Aquarium The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, is a nonprofit organization that’s changing the way humanity cares for our ocean planet.
• The Aquarium’s award-winning habitats are home to thousands of animals representing hundreds of species of fish, birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals.
• We are proud to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and strive to meet or exceed AZA standards in all aspects of animal care and welfare.
• A dedicated team of full- and part-time employees and volunteers drives the Aquarium’s mission to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures.
• More than a million guests visit the Aquarium each year, and millions more participate in its conservation, education and engagement initiatives.
• Our Culture The National Aquarium opened in 1981 as a visitor attraction and has evolved into a conservation organization that operates a world-class aquarium.
• Our core values—integrity, innovation, service, excellence, and engagement—form the basis for our beliefs about our organization, our colleagues and ourselves, and serve as the framework to guide our behavior and actions to achieve our mission.
• Through unparalleled exhibits, science-based education programs and hands-on field initiatives, the Aquarium is at the forefront of efforts to connect people with the natural world and raise awareness of the challenges facing our ocean.
• Our Mission and Goals By connecting people with nature, the Aquarium drives conservation action for the benefit of people, animals and the planet.
• The Aquarium’s mission—to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures—begins within the walls of its buildings, but it does not end there.
• The Aquarium protects, enhances and restores natural resources through education and engagement, habitat restoration, animal rescue and sustainable business practices, with its conservation work guided by three overarching goals—to combat climate change, save wildlife and habitats, and stop plastic pollution.

Perks

Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(K) match and More!