Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships Specialist and Senior Specialist

Help shape the future of energy in our community: LES is seeking a Specialist of Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships and a Senior Specialist of Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships to serve as key liaisons with elected officials, community leaders, business partners and industry stakeholders while advancing strategic initiatives that support our mission and long-term goals. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND COMPETENCIES Responsible for legislative advocacy and engagement in related activities on the federal, state, and local levels. Specific responsibilities include developing a solid understanding of LES and the electric utility industry, establishing, and maintaining relationships with elected officials and staff, monitoring legislative policy as it relates to the organization, developing legislative strategy, and coordinating LES engagement in such issues. Consistent and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position. Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships Specialist - Maintains a solid understanding of the electric utility industry and LES policies and customer programs essential to analyzing, strategizing, developing, and communicating LES positions on legislative and regulatory issues. - Researches and creates background documents for management and administrative board members regarding emerging legislative and regulatory issues, to include talking points, one-pagers, and other original material. - Monitors legislative and regulatory actions and tracks advancement of policy including legislative bills, rules, or other items, which may entail monitoring of committee hearings, testifying or securing committee testimony and records preparation. - Prepares documents including testimony, summaries, position letters, and correspondence to elected officials, management, and the board. - Develops and maintains relationships with key legislative policymakers and staff members and other key government officials and staff to advance LES as a credible source for industry knowledge and information. Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships Specialist II - Demonstrates advanced knowledge of legislative, regulatory, and public policy processes affecting the electric utility industry. - Proactively and independently develops legislative strategies, policy recommendations, and stakeholder engagement plans for complex issues with minimal supervision. - Builds and maintains close, productive relationships with legislators, government officials, industry partners, and key stakeholders to advance organizational priorities. - Exercises sound judgment when evaluating emerging legislation, regulatory activity, and public policy trends while recommending organizational positions. - Serves as a trusted resource by providing guidance, legislative analysis, and strategic support to leadership and internal stakeholders. Senior Government Relations and Strategic Partnerships Specialist - Demonstrates expert knowledge of legislative strategy, regulatory affairs, public policy development, and government relations within the utility industry. - Leads the organization's most complex local, state and federal legislative and regulatory initiatives requiring significant strategic judgment and independent decision-making. - Leads strategic initiatives to strengthen LES's legislative presence, improve advocacy efforts, mentor colleagues, and enhance organizational effectiveness. - Cultivates and sustains trusted, long-term relationships with key local business leaders, community stakeholders, and municipal planners to ensure LES is positioned as a collaborative civic partner. - Serves as a spokesperson for legislative and regulatory initiatives and the primary advisor to LES leadership regarding legislative priorities, policy risks, stakeholder engagement and government affairs strategy. OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES - Knowledge of the state legislative process, structure, and available resources. - Ability to perform independent research of legislative and regulatory issues and present summaries of such issues and proposed position statements clearly and logically. - Ability to think critically and strategically. - Demonstrates intellectual curiosity and a desire to learn and understand new ideas and concepts. - Excellent verbal and written communication skills. - Excellent interpersonal relationship skills. - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. - Demonstrated initiative and resourcefulness. - Ability and desire to learn and synthesize utility concepts and terminology. - Ability to work into the evening hours as necessary, especially during the legislative session. COMPETENCIES Accountability - Holds self and others responsible for goals, outcomes, deadlines, and objectives and follows through on commitments. Takes accountability for delivering on commitments; owns mistakes and uses them as opportunities for learning and development. Adaptability - Maintains a positive attitude in the face of change; appropriately adjusts behavior and activities to changing conditions. []{style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: arial, helv "}