Government & Community Relations Rep

POSITION PURPOSE

This position will be required to spend the majority of their time in Wyoming while reporting to Headquarters in Bismarck, ND. Occasional travel to Bismarck, ND will be required. 

Provides representation on state and federal legislative, regulatory, and public policy matters affecting Basin Electric Power Cooperative and its subsidiaries while also supporting targeted project coordination and member relations efforts. Support leadership, departments, and employees by providing information, analysis, and recommendations related to political, legislative, and regulatory matters affecting Cooperative decisions, initiatives, and operations. Assist with evaluating potential strategies and actions as directed. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Serve as a registered lobbyist and represent the Cooperative and its subsidiaries on state, federal, and local legislative, regulatory, and public policy matters.


• Monitor, analyze, track, and report on legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting the Cooperative, and assess potential impacts to operations and strategic objectives.  


• Support the legislative and regulatory process by providing research, analysis, issue summaries, and background materials to inform management decisions and advocacy meetings.


• Assist with development, advancement, or opposition of legislation and regulatory actions in alignment with Cooperative priorities.


• Represent the Cooperative and its subsidiaries in legislative, regulatory, and industry settings as assigned, including participation in meetings, hearings, and testimony before legislative committees and regulatory agencies.


• Develop and prepare policy-related materials, reports, and recommendations for leadership, the Board of Directors, and related committees.


• Assist in the collection, organization, and dissemination of information related to electric and gas issues, including distribution of the Cooperative’s policy positions to associated organizations, member systems, and governmental representatives.


• Conduct research and support long-range planning on economic, social, regulatory, and policy issues at the local, state, and federal levels that may influence the Cooperative’s long-term reliability, affordability, and regulatory stability.


• Maintain and strengthen working relationships with governmental agencies, legislators, industry associations, and Cooperative stakeholders to support effective communication and external engagement.


• Support project-related communications, member engagement efforts, and community relations initiatives in coordination with internal departments.


• Assist with planning and coordination of member meetings, educational events, and targeted engagement activities in collaboration with communications and member relations teams.


• Serve as a liaison between internal departments and member cooperatives to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent sharing of information.


• Serve on internal teams or committees to support cross-departmental coordination and positive working relationships.


• Provide legislative, regulatory, and public policy analysis and reporting on behalf of the Cooperative for the Missouri Basin Power Project, Missouri Basin Power Project Management Board, Wyoming Municipal Power Agency, and Class A and Class C member cooperatives; serve as a policy resource to member systems and represent the Cooperative with regional, state, and national legislative, regulatory, and industry organizations, including energy, mining, electric cooperative, and governmental associations.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in political science, public administration, legal studies, business, communications, or a related field that emphasizes analytical thinking, problem solving, or critical reasoning.


• 6 years of related public policy, government relations, regulatory affairs, communications, or a related field, including significant experience within the electric utility or energy industry.


• Valid driver’s license.


• May travel up to 60% of the time.  Occasional travel to headquarters in Bismarck, ND.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

This position requires frequent sitting and standing/walking; and occasional reaching below and above shoulder level, use of keyboard/computer, bending, kneeling, lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds, and pushing/pulling up to 20 pounds. The position requires use of keyboard/computer, finger dexterity, hand coordination, good hearing and vision, and the ability to speak. Travel may result in exposure to varying traffic and weather conditions.

KEY SKILLS

• Demonstrated experience in legislative advocacy, lobbying, or regulatory engagement.


• Working knowledge of electric cooperatives, business communications, strategic business planning, project planning, communications, meeting planning, management of computer systems/projects, and business to business marketing.


• Extensive policy, regulatory, and legislative expertise with the ability to analyze complex issues and develop strategic recommendations.


• Strong understanding of government processes, public policy trends, and regulatory frameworks affecting electric utilities and cooperatives.  


• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively with leadership, policymakers, members, and the public.  


• Strong relationship-building, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement skills.  


• Effective project coordination and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and collaborate across departments.  


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and related business software.