Assistant Vice Chancellor for Government Relations & External Affairs

Job Title

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Government Relations & External Affairs

Agency

Texas A&M Engineering

Department

Vice Chancellor Engineering

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The Assistant Vice Chancellor for External Affairs and Government Relations reports directly to the Vice Chancellor of Engineering and serves as the chief governmental relations officer of the Texas A&M Engineering Agencies (the Agencies), which include the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES); the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX); and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI).  

Under the direction of the Vice Chancellor/Dean of Engineering, and in coordination with the Vice Chancellor of Governmental Relations for The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), this position is responsible for the design, planning, implementation, and overall coordination of the state and federal public policy and funding initiatives of the Agencies (the Engineering Program).  These responsibilities are carried out in concert with the public information officers and communications directors of the Agencies.

The Agencies are statutorily defined as institutions of higher education that are Members of the Texas A&M University System; the System is governed by a gubernatorially appointed Board of Regents and led by its Chief Executive Officer, the Chancellor.

This position will be headquartered in Austin, Texas.

• Description of Job Duty (1)

  • Responsible for overall leadership and implementation of state and federal legislative, appropriation, and public policy.  As needed, provide similar support to and for the Texas A&M University (TAMU) College of Engineering (COE) in coordination with the TAMU Vice President of Government relations per overall governmental affairs priorities of The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) through the Vice Chancellor of Government Relations.

• Description of Job Duty (2)

  • On behalf of the Agencies, serve as principal liaison to The Texas A&M University System state and federal relations teams for all legislative issues, interim activities, and constituency programs.  Coordinates with relevant state executive offices/agencies: Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker, Comptroller, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Senate, House of Representatives, Railroad Commission, Auditor, Legislative Budget Board, Legislative Council, Sunset Advisory Commission, Regional Councils of Government, Emergency Management Council, Fire Protection Commission, Forensic Science Commission, Higher Education Coordinating Board, Department of Information Resources, Jail Standards Commission, General Land Commission, Law Enforcement Commission, Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Workforce Commission, Division of Emergency Management, other state agencies and various county officials.

• Description of Job Duty (3)

  • Advises agency directors and senior management on applicable political, public policy and governmental issues.

• Description of Job Duty (4)

  • Represents the Vice Chancellor/Dean of Engineering and the Agencies before other institutions of higher education to coordinate joint initiatives, including but not limited to research and professional workforce development training.

• Description of Job Duty (5)

  • Monitors, evaluates, and reports on relevant state and federal legislation concerning its impact on Engineering Program activities.  Specifically, use Telicon and Texas Legislature Online or other applicable software services to track all filed bills and provide applicable analysis and comments.

• Description of Job Duty (6)

  • Recommends public policy and funding strategies to the Engineering Program leadership teams.

• Description of Job Duty (7)

  • Represents the Engineering Program for key public policy areas, including but not limited to workforce development, transportation, environment, energy, technology, homeland security and emergency response.  Facilitates representation and engagement with Legislative and state agencies through the TAMUS Office of State Relations as well as Congressional and federal agencies through the TAMUS Office of Federal Relations.

• Description of Job Duty (8)

  • Serves as legislative liaison and primary information provider to state and federal government agencies. 

  • Identifies issues and designs strategies for accomplishing the state legislative agenda of the Engineering Program, subject to review and approval of the Vice Chancellor/Dean of Engineering, by developing content for the Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) priorities each biennium.  Responsible for implementing appropriate strategies and securing successful outcomes from the Texas Legislature, including securing base funding to support the Engineering Program.  

• Description of Job Duty (9)

  • Prepares legislative testimony, public speeches, and briefing presentations for the Engineering Program leadership teams, as well as coordinate special events and other external relations activities involving elected/appointed officials or staff.  Interacts with Engineering Program administrators and other TAMUS external relations offices to ensure the accuracy and coordination of communications and efficient dissemination of appropriate information.

• Description of Job Duty (10)

  • Provides guidance and leadership to Engineering Program administrators in developing workable strategic plans and other communication instruments for external decision-making.  Serves as facilitator in bringing stakeholders, talents, and organizations together to compete for sources of funding and/or recognizing the Agencies.

• Description of Job Duty (11)

  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent graduate credit hours) is preferred, and to be earned in the fields of Political Science, Government, Business, Public Relations, Marketing/Communications (or similar). 

Required Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of relevant state government and/or public affairs experience, including extensive experience in public relations, legislative affairs, or higher education policy.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working on appropriations and higher education issues, possessing extensive contacts within the relevant state government entities.

• Experience driving policy campaigns and working with elected and appointed officials, community leaders, and the public.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of Texas and federal legislative and executive agency processes, with the ability to plan and implement a legislative or agency strategy.  Crisis management and media relations experience are preferred.  Coalition building and confidentiality are necessary to succeed in this position.

• Ability to communicate complex issues and information in a manner that is readily understood.

• Excellent oral and written communications skills.

• Excellent negotiation skills in sensitive and tense situations.

• Ability to assemble teams and coalitions quickly.

• Proficient with computer programs, including the following Microsoft software: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.

Job Title

Assistant Vice Chancellor for Government Relations & External Affairs

Agency

Texas A&M Engineering

Department

Vice Chancellor Engineering

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The Assistant Vice Chancellor for External Affairs and Government Relations reports directly to the Vice Chancellor of Engineering and serves as the chief governmental relations officer of the Texas A&M Engineering Agencies (the Agencies), which include the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES); the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX); and the Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI).  

Under the direction of the Vice Chancellor/Dean of Engineering, and in coordination with the Vice Chancellor of Governmental Relations for The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS), this position is responsible for the design, planning, implementation, and overall coordination of the state and federal public policy and funding initiatives of the Agencies (the Engineering Program).  These responsibilities are carried out in concert with the public information officers and communications directors of the Agencies.

The Agencies are statutorily defined as institutions of higher education that are Members of the Texas A&M University System; the System is governed by a gubernatorially appointed Board of Regents and led by its Chief Executive Officer, the Chancellor.

This position will be headquartered in Austin, Texas.

• Description of Job Duty (1)

  • Responsible for overall leadership and implementation of state and federal legislative, appropriation, and public policy.  As needed, provide similar support to and for the Texas A&M University (TAMU) College of Engineering (COE) in coordination with the TAMU Vice President of Government relations per overall governmental affairs priorities of The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) through the Vice Chancellor of Government Relations.

• Description of Job Duty (2)

  • On behalf of the Agencies, serve as principal liaison to The Texas A&M University System state and federal relations teams for all legislative issues, interim activities, and constituency programs.  Coordinates with relevant state executive offices/agencies: Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker, Comptroller, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Senate, House of Representatives, Railroad Commission, Auditor, Legislative Budget Board, Legislative Council, Sunset Advisory Commission, Regional Councils of Government, Emergency Management Council, Fire Protection Commission, Forensic Science Commission, Higher Education Coordinating Board, Department of Information Resources, Jail Standards Commission, General Land Commission, Law Enforcement Commission, Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission, Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Workforce Commission, Division of Emergency Management, other state agencies and various county officials.

• Description of Job Duty (3)

  • Advises agency directors and senior management on applicable political, public policy and governmental issues.

• Description of Job Duty (4)

  • Represents the Vice Chancellor/Dean of Engineering and the Agencies before other institutions of higher education to coordinate joint initiatives, including but not limited to research and professional workforce development training.

• Description of Job Duty (5)

  • Monitors, evaluates, and reports on relevant state and federal legislation concerning its impact on Engineering Program activities.  Specifically, use Telicon and Texas Legislature Online or other applicable software services to track all filed bills and provide applicable analysis and comments.

• Description of Job Duty (6)

  • Recommends public policy and funding strategies to the Engineering Program leadership teams.

• Description of Job Duty (7)

  • Represents the Engineering Program for key public policy areas, including but not limited to workforce development, transportation, environment, energy, technology, homeland security and emergency response.  Facilitates representation and engagement with Legislative and state agencies through the TAMUS Office of State Relations as well as Congressional and federal agencies through the TAMUS Office of Federal Relations.

• Description of Job Duty (8)

  • Serves as legislative liaison and primary information provider to state and federal government agencies. 

  • Identifies issues and designs strategies for accomplishing the state legislative agenda of the Engineering Program, subject to review and approval of the Vice Chancellor/Dean of Engineering, by developing content for the Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR) priorities each biennium.  Responsible for implementing appropriate strategies and securing successful outcomes from the Texas Legislature, including securing base funding to support the Engineering Program.  

• Description of Job Duty (9)

  • Prepares legislative testimony, public speeches, and briefing presentations for the Engineering Program leadership teams, as well as coordinate special events and other external relations activities involving elected/appointed officials or staff.  Interacts with Engineering Program administrators and other TAMUS external relations offices to ensure the accuracy and coordination of communications and efficient dissemination of appropriate information.

• Description of Job Duty (10)

  • Provides guidance and leadership to Engineering Program administrators in developing workable strategic plans and other communication instruments for external decision-making.  Serves as facilitator in bringing stakeholders, talents, and organizations together to compete for sources of funding and/or recognizing the Agencies.

• Description of Job Duty (11)

  • Other duties as assigned.

Required Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Education:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent graduate credit hours) is preferred, and to be earned in the fields of Political Science, Government, Business, Public Relations, Marketing/Communications (or similar). 

Required Experience:

• A minimum of 6 years of relevant state government and/or public affairs experience, including extensive experience in public relations, legislative affairs, or higher education policy.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience working on appropriations and higher education issues, possessing extensive contacts within the relevant state government entities.

• Experience driving policy campaigns and working with elected and appointed officials, community leaders, and the public.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of Texas and federal legislative and executive agency processes, with the ability to plan and implement a legislative or agency strategy.  Crisis management and media relations experience are preferred.  Coalition building and confidentiality are necessary to succeed in this position.

• Ability to communicate complex issues and information in a manner that is readily understood.

• Excellent oral and written communications skills.

• Excellent negotiation skills in sensitive and tense situations.

• Ability to assemble teams and coalitions quickly.

• Proficient with computer programs, including the following Microsoft software: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer committed to diversity.