State Government Affairs Manager

The Michigan League of Conservation Voters (LCV) is one of Michigan’s largest, most impactful political advocacy organizations tackling drinking water contamination, the rapidly-worsening impacts of climate change, and efforts to undermine access to the ballot. We are seeking a full-time State Government Affairs Manager to be a part of our day-to-day presence at the Capitol. This will be someone who knows the ins and outs of the legislative process, understands how to build influence, and can move our environmental and democracy priorities forward in real time.

The ideal candidate will have legislative and government affairs experience, including a track record of advocating for policy change. This is a high-trust, high-visibility role for someone with deep relationships in Lansing, strong political instincts, and the ability to work independently to push their priorities forward. They will serve as a core player on Michigan LCV’s lobby team. They will need to be an excellent writer, communicator, and ‘people-person’ who is excited to steward existing relationships and develop new ones.

This position offers the opportunity to directly impact environmental and voting rights policy in Michigan. The State Government Affairs Manager, alongside a team of tenacious colleagues, will advocate for strong environmental protections, and build and amplify the voices of communities of color and other key constituencies who are disproportionately impacted by environmental issues.

About the Michigan League of Conservation Voters

The Michigan League of Conservation Voters is a statewide political organization whose mission is to elect pro-conservation candidates to office and to hold all decision makers accountable for protecting Michigan’s drinking water, attacking climate change, and expanding access to the ballot. We work closely with elected officials, business leaders, partner organizations, and advocates from across the state, and we have built a reputation as the leading, non-partisan political voice for Michigan’s land, air, and water.

Michigan LCV is an equal opportunity employer. We assure equal treatment in hiring selection, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, training, discipline, and other personnel practices and terms or conditions of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, height, weight, marital status, genetic testing status, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender status, or any other protected class established by all applicable federal, state and local laws and ordinances.

Job Responsibilities

This position reports to the State Government Affairs Director, is based in Lansing, and is responsible for the following:

• Represent Michigan LCV in Lansing from start to finish in decision-making processes by researching legislation and developing policy knowledge and skills; communicating Michigan LCV’s positions through oral and written testimony, attending and participating in committee meetings, working with lawmakers during legislative session, and being present and available to current and potential allies.
• Collaborate with the State Government Affairs Director to plan and execute key offensive and defensive plays on legislation and other policy proposals as well as create and implement effective education, lobbying, and accountability strategies that deliver winning outcomes.
• Support the department director in managing Michigan’s multi-client lobbyist firm. This means helping to manage the firm in a task oriented, accountable manner.
• Actively expand Michigan LCV’s relationships in both legislative chambers and on both sides of the aisle by attending legislative events, lawmaker fundraisers, and going out of your way to build more decision-maker, staff, agency, and multi-client relationships.
• Coordinate with internal and external partners to align tactics, messaging, and power-building strategies.
• Assist, support, and provide guidance to the State Government Affairs Coordinator in managing Michigan LCV’s accountability suite, hot list, and bill tracker.
• Independently manage and prioritize work while tracking progress on key deliverables, and supporting the State Government Affairs department operations
• Participate in all Michigan LCV political election work — doing the hard work of campaigning, which includes door-to-door field canvassing, phone banking, and attending campaign events.

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who are tenacious, self-starters, problem-solvers, innovators, and who will live our mission every day . You should have:

• Three years experience impacting policy decisions in government and working knowledge of the legislative decision-making processes from start to finish.
• A demonstrable network of relationships in the legislature and Michigan politicsand the ability to develop new ones quickly.
• Politically savvy and strategic, with strong instincts on when to negotiate, when to push, and how to build lasting influence across both sides of the aisle.
• Excellent communication skills:
• Comfortable public speaking - including the delivery of formal public testimony and ease communicating about politics and public policy in front of large groups
• The ability to quickly and efficiently summarize legislation, and other public policy issues for a variety of audiences
• A strong commitment to and belief in putting issues above party and working across the aisle to better protect our land, air, water, democracy, and communities.
• An ability to work autonomously with excellent problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Reliable access to transportation for travel across the state, the internet, and a phone to use for work purposes as well as the ability to participate in campaign activities, either phone banking or canvassing.
• Cultural Competence:
• Demonstrated awareness of one’s own cultural identity and the ability to learn and build on varying community norms.
• Commitment to equity and inclusion as organizational practice and culture. A track record of working to build relationships with folks who represent a rich mix of people across race, gender, sexual orientation, and other group identities.
• A strong understanding of how environmental issues intersect with racism, economic and social inequality in the U.S. and an interest in working to dismantle these systems.

Compensation & Benefits

Step 1 (0 -4 years of paid and direct experience): $74,000

Step 2 (5+ years of paid and direct experience): $78,000

Michigan LCV offers a benefits package that includes health, dental, and vision coverage, long-term and short-term disability coverage, life insurance coverage, a retirement savings program, reimbursements for business-related travel, a generous paid time off policy, and a team of smart, funny, and kind colleagues working together to deliver on a mission that matters.

This position is in the bargaining unit for Michigan LCV Workers United and is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If you need accommodation or assistance with our online application, please tell us how we can make this process accessible to you by emailing [email protected] or by calling us at (734) 222-9650.

We know not all strong candidates will have every skill we list. We still want to hear from you. Research shows that women, non-binary people, disabled people, and people of color are less likely to apply for a position if they don’t meet every skill listed. At Michigan LCV, we believe our collective differences enable us to make better decisions, drive innovation, and deliver impactful results. We are committed to creating racial justice and equity within the environmental movement, and we know that begins with us doing the work ourselves.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $74,000.00 - $78,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Lansing, MI 48933