College Director of Legislative Affairs

SCCC REFERENCE #: 26-80

START DATE: ASAP

POSITION DESCRIPTION
Suffolk County Community College is the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 26,000 students at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood, and Riverhead, as well as its Culinary Arts Center in Riverhead. Established in 1959, the college offers a wide array of transfer-oriented associate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences; business; communications and the arts; computing and cybersecurity; health sciences; and many other areas. Career-facing degrees and certificates are offered in allied health professions, automotive technology, culinary and baking, manufacturing, and many other areas. The college provides high school concurrent enrollment opportunities to thousands of students each year through Suffolk’s Beacon program and on-campus early college classes. Designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution, Suffolk enrolls thousands of students in English Language Learning courses, and also serves more veterans and military-connected students than any other college in the SUNY system.

Reporting into the Office of Legal Affairs led by the College’s General Counsel, the Director of Legislative Affairs is responsible for monitoring, developing, and advancing the College’s priorities and profile on a local, state, and federal government relations and legislative level. The Director will also serve as a forward-facing liaison externally with government and elected officials, including the Suffolk County Legislature, the County Executive’s office, relevant offices within the County, the State Legislature, relevant offices within the New York State Executive branch, and other key government entities, elected officials, stakeholders and advocacy groups. The Director supports the College President and senior leadership on government relations strategy and public policy matters. The Director will coordinate with the President’s Office and Office of Institutional Advancement on other College-based initiatives and projects, and with the Vice President for Student Affairs to support student-facing government relations programming and opportunities.

The successful candidate should be comfortable and effective at interacting and communicating with senior leadership within the College and externally and must exercise excellent judgment and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities

Serve as the primary staff liaison to the Board of Trustees Advocacy Committee, providing administrative, strategic, and operational support in the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of the Committee’s legislative, governmental relations, and public policy priorities. Coordinate meetings, prepare materials and reports, monitor action items, and facilitate attendant communication amongst Trustees, College leadership, students, and external stakeholders.
Help identify and develop the College’s county, state, and federal government relations agendas and priorities, and formulate and implement strategies that create opportunities for the College to advance these priorities.
Represent the College’s interests and positions to relevant government and elected officials, including but not limited to across Long Island and in Albany.
Cultivate, maintain, and manage effective relationships with relevant local, state, and federal government and elected officials, industry and trade associations, and other external stakeholders and advocacy groups.
Monitor and track education-related and other relevant legislation and budget initiatives that impact the College; keep appropriate internal stakeholders apprised of any related bill activity, movement or amendments.
Conduct research, analysis, and make recommendations to the College President, General Counsel, Board of Trustees, and other senior leadership on legislative, government relations, and public policy issues; consult and work with the College President, General Counsel, Board of Trustees, and appropriate College offices as necessary to make recommendations and assist in formulating or communicating institutional positions or needs.
Consult with relevant local, state, and federal government and elected officials regarding the College’s government relations positions.
Prepare briefings, legislative memos, talking points, testimony and correspondence for the College President, General Counsel, Board of Trustees, and other senior leadership.
Assist in the development and drafting of bills as assigned.
Serve as the point of contact and liaison with government and elected officials, including the Suffolk County Legislature, the County Executive’s office, relevant offices within the County, the State Legislature, relevant offices within the New York State Executive branch, and other key government entities and elected officials. Answer inquiries regarding College policies and procedures, resolve constituent issues.
Serve as the liaison to and maintain relationships with relevant education advocacy, industry and trade organizations, as assigned.
Represent the College at County legislative sessions and at public and private meetings with government and elected officials, and accompany College leadership to events and meetings.
Assist as needed/assigned in planning and executing public and government relations events for the College including town hall meetings, legislative breakfasts and events, briefings, school visits, and press announcements.
Provide logistical support for government and elected officials’ visits to the College’s campuses and participation in meetings, events and initiatives organized by the College.
In collaboration with the Vice President for Student Affairs, advise on and participate in the development and delivery of programming, education/training, and resources appropriate for students with interest in government relations or advocacy, including but not limited to SUNY’s and the College’s Advocacy Day each year, as well as other relevant advocacy, legislative, civic engagement, and leadership development initiatives.
Oversee compliance with lobbying laws and required reporting of any/all lobbying activities by the College Administration.
Performs other related duties as assigned by the General Counsel or College President.

Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form, and utilize strong knowledge of appropriate structure, grammar, spelling, and relevant information.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate and interact effectively with government and elected officials regardless of political party/affiliation, as well as senior College leadership, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and external partners, as well as build collaborative relationships with and across these groups.
Experienced and effective public speaker and presenter.
Excellent problem-solving skills, with an ability to analyze complex government relations issues and assess implications.
High level of attention to detail, strong organizational and triage/prioritization skills, and the ability to manage multiple matters, transactions, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
Flexibility, creativity and ability to work well under pressure.
Strong research, writing, and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to conduct relevant research, analyze complex issues, and prepare clear and well-organized written materials.
Demonstrated experience with government relations and advocacy-related issues and needs within New York State.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal lobbying laws.
Knowledge of the New York State legislative and budget process and County legislative and budget process.
Knowledge and ability to interpret legislation and legislative budgets.
Ability to work and effectively complete assignments independently, including when under pressure or with multiple matters or deadlines, while remaining integrated within a dynamic team.
Ability to handle sensitive matters with the highest level of professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality.
Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in making recommendations and decisions.
Computer proficiency, including in preparing documents, conducting research, organization, and using software shared across offices or units.
Willingness to think creatively, to take on projects or responsibilities outside essential functions, as needs may arise.
Demonstrated commitment to public higher education and service, as well as to student success.
Ability to travel and represent the College and its interests in Albany, in Suffolk County, and in government relations-related meetings elsewhere as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Required

Bachelor’s degree in political science, communications, public administration, public policy, or related field from an accredited college or university.
A minimum of four (4) years of full-time experience working for or with New York State and/or New York local government relations, which may include but is not limited to employment in a position with significant responsibility for government relations/affairs, serving as legislative or agency staffer at the federal, state, or local level of a nature appropriate to the duties of the position, or lobbying/advocacy in a relevant field.
Demonstrated experience with the New York State legislative and budget process and/or County legislative and budget process.

Preferred

A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school, or other relevant advanced degree such as a Master’s-level degree in government/political science, public policy, or public affairs/administration, or related field.
Demonstrated experience with government relations on Long Island, including with the Suffolk County Legislature, County Executive, County Departments, State Legislature and/or Governor’s office as well as federal officials.
Experience with institutions of higher education or significant public entities in New York State in a government relations or advocacy capacity.
Knowledge of and work experience with education policy and higher education systems Familiarity with Suffolk County Community College, County of Suffolk, New York State, and the State University of New York (SUNY) legislative, governance, and funding/budgeting structure.

HIRING SALARY
The College Director of Legislative Affairs is an exempt position; compensation will be based on the College’s exempt salary and benefit plan. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision, vacation days, deferred compensation and a defined benefit plan.

Tagged as: Employment