State of Montana, Montana House Democrats: Chief of Staff Montana House Democrats

LOCATION

SALARY

COMPANY

DEPARTMENT

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. POSITION IDENTIFICATION

Title: Minority Communication & Policy Advisor “Chief of Staff”

Work unit: House Democrats

Type: Leadership Exempt Personal Staff MCA 2-18-104 – This is a political appointee position.

2. POSITION OVERVIEW

This position is the Communications and Policy Advisor (“Chief of Staff”) for the House Minority Leadership and is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring the Minority’s public relations, public policy, and public information initiatives.

The position is the key point of contact for the media and represents the Minority House Legislative Caucus to governmental bodies, business organizations, other agencies, and the general public. The position develops public relations strategies, conducts public policy research, facilities effective internal and external communication, manages online presence, develops and manages marketing materials, and serves as quality control for communication products and efforts. The position reports to the Minority Leader of the Montana House.

** 3. ASSIGNED DUTIES AND TASKS**

Communication/Public Relations

1. Develops press releases, statements, and advisories as well as talking points and fact sheets regarding issues or events pertinent to the members and approves the release of such public communications in consultation with Leadership, committee vice-chairs, and/or other legislators as appropriate.

2. Fosters an environment of learning for new incoming legislators.

3. Provides advice to lawmakers on the best approach to take regarding communications with stakeholders and the public.

4. Ensures that appropriate media are contacted for issues relating to their specific publication.

5. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with media contacts and serves as primary contact for interview requests, press releases, position statements, etc.

6. Serves as the contact and liaison with the media on sensitive and controversial issues and provides guidance and technical advice to members and staff on their interactions with the media.

7. Serves as the crisis communications point person.

8. Assists legislators with any public records requests.

9. Performs a variety of communications activities such as planning training events and on occasion giving presentations.

10. Advises on and assists in preparing testimony and other information for presentation to legislative committees, boards, or other public councils as directed by Leadership. This involves researching pertinent issues, anticipating concerns and objections, coordinating with subject matter experts, reviewing legislative history and statistics, etc., and preparing factual, compelling presentations to support the needs and interests of the Minority and constituents.

11. Serves as the spokesperson authorized to publicly speak on behalf of Minority Leadership and the Minority Legislative Caucus or can oversee and delegate this responsibility to a communications expert.

12. Responsible for all phases of written communications, from initial brainstorming and drafting to final editing, publication, and follow-up. This may include assisting with drafting or editing letters to the editor or opinion pieces.

13. Tracks and curates news coverage and other publicized items of interest to Minority Leadership. Keeps all appropriate Leadership and legislators apprised of important developments in real time.

14. Develops, manages, and maintains mass communications and publications. Designs and produces logos, graphics, videos, and other visual tools to assist in guiding Leadership and Minority legislators’ brands and making publications appealing and professional. Works with Minority Leadership, Secretary of House, Chief Clerk, Legislative Services, Chief Legal Counsel, and any other necessary staff to ensure paid media is used within budgetary and statutory restrictions.

15. Creates daily “floor” vote sheets during legislative sessions where information about upcoming floor legislation is presented to the House Democratic Caucus.

16. Assists in planning and is primarily responsible for leadership-sponsored events to ensure outside-of-session activities are on-message.

17. Provides talking points for legislators as requested by the Minority Leader.

18. Travels to events and manages interactions with any media in attendance and assists in event setup, takedown, and any other necessary tasks.

19. Serves as a liaison between House Democratic leadership, Senate Democratic leadership, and Senate Minority Chief of Staff. This involves relaying information, coordinating joint projects, and communicating progress on any shared projects or events.

20. Opens, sorts and responds to mail and correspondence to the House Democratic leadership.

Public Policy /Research

1. Assists in developing public policy by identifying issues of constituent interest or concern.

2. Researches barriers, solutions, historical context, state and federal legal and regulatory context. Proposes legislative ideas and drafts text to achieve designed public policy impact. Tracks and coordinates ideas, input, and requests of legislators and prepares summaries and reports to leadership.

3. Participates in the interim committee process by assisting legislators with preparation, research, talking points, and follow-up. Attends interim committees when requested by leadership.

4. Consults with caucus members about their policy priorities for the interim and legislative session.

5. Helps advance caucus legislative oversight and policy development objectives, and plan future policy initiatives. Monitors and checks in with other government bodies and private entities to ensure past legislation is having the desired impact and is being implemented according to legislative intent.

6. Engages with departments writing administrative rules that are implementing laws.

Other Duties as Assigned

Performs a variety of other professional, administrative, and public relations activities as assigned by Minority Leadership in support of the objectives. This includes, but is not limited to, representing the Minority Leader and Minority Legislators at conferences and meetings, directing special projects, and attending on-going education and training as directed.

4. PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• The ability to form a collaborative environment among the House Democrats and ability to listen and be respectful in the most tense situations.

• Thorough knowledge of journalism, communications and public administration.

• Thorough knowledge of public policy, political, and legislative research. Thorough knowledge of public relations, written communications, and mass media including creating press releases, planning press conferences, and interacting with press and media.

• General knowledge of the methods and techniques of writing and editing.

• General knowledge of the role and responsibilities of public agencies and the Montana State Legislature.

• Knowledge of the political landscape of the State of Montana, the Montana Legislature, and the Executive Branch.

• Knowledge or willingness to learn the operations of the Montana Legislative session, the Legislative rules, and how the Legislature interacts with executive agencies.

• Knowledge or willingness to learn the process of hiring, management and delegation of duties for staff onboarding during legislative sessions.

• The ability to form respectful working relationships with all Partisan and Non-Partisan staff no matter their political affiliation.

• Ability to form respectful working relationships with members of the Montana press and media.

• General knowledge of issues and concerns affecting legislative initiatives and state regulatory programs, including broad knowledge across a wide variety of public policy areas; state government processes, laws, and rules.

• General knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite proficiency, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams

• General knowledge of graphic design video production, audio production, and print publication

• General knowledge of digital and social media platforms.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Outstanding attention to detail, public speaking, and presentation skills.

• Interpersonal, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.

• Skill in developing approaches to sensitive issues that have significant impacts on the state; dealing with controversy in a professional and objective manner.

• Skill in discerning underlying concerns, persuading, conciliating, and devising appropriate public information strategies and timing.

• Skill in program planning and implementation.

• Ability to ensure effective messaging in all areas of communication.

• Ability to interpret policies, data, research, publications, and summarize findings.

• Ability to analyze, summarize, and track legislation.

• Ability to work on multiple projects in potential high-pressure situations.

• Ability to adhere to confidentiality and proper release of information.

• Ability to establish cooperative relationships and develop positive working relationships with all Minority House Legislators and staff.

• Ability to respond objectively and calmly to difficult situations.

• Ability to identify others’ underlying concerns and motives; deal with controversy and hostility in a professional and objective manner.

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment during legislative session.

5. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

This position reports to the Minority Leader of the Montana House. The Minority Leader will provide broad general guidance regarding general service expectations and is not involved in the daily activities.

6. PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

This position will supervise junior partisan staff during the legislative session.

7. WORK RELATIONSHIPS/PERSONAL CONTACTS

This position involves a wide range of contacts on behalf of House Democrats. These contacts are to coordinate the daily business of the leadership offices, provide and gather information, and interpret information. The position also involves contacts with constituents, members of the media, and others to provide information and responses to inquiries on behalf of House Democratic leadership. The position is responsible for devising and presenting presentations on a variety of topics and concerns as well as justifying and defending legislative actions and political viewpoints to groups or individuals who may be hostile or feel aggrieved.

8.** WORKING CONDITIONS**

Work is performed in a normal office environment. The position involves demands associated with using a computer, cell phone, communicating effectively in-person and over the phone, and managing multiple projects under inflexible and demanding deadlines. This position may travel to attend meetings and events.

During legislative session, this position involves long hours, overtime, and working in a fast-paced environment alongside legislators and leadership. Outside of legislative session, the position involves working independently with remote check-in and phone/email/conference call communication.

9. MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

**** Bachelor’s degree plus four years’ experience OR a combination of education and experience