Legislative Liaison

Legislative Liaison

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking a full-time Legislative Liaison to join the External Relations – Government Relations team. Join a team that values collaboration, professional growth, and work-life balance! We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Legislative Liaison (EO4) professional who enjoys working in a dynamic environment and takes pride in delivering accurate, high-quality work.

If you are adaptable, organized, and committed to excellent communication and collaboration, we encourage you to apply.

The primary duties of this position include:

Manage Legislative Proposal Process

From introduction to enactment this position will manage and oversee, in partnership with the policy director, the legislative proposal process by providing prompt and detailed information to department leadership on the impacts of proposed legislation to the agency's programs and operations. This will be accomplished by preparing and/or coordinating the development of legislative position papers and fiscal notes that accurately convey the public impact of the legislative proposal to HHS executive leadership, members of the legislature, and the Office of the Governor.

Serve as the Department Legislative Liaison

Throughout the legislative session, and the interim legislative period, this position will serve as a department spokesperson by speaking on behalf of the department at subcommittee meetings, committee meetings, and with various stakeholder groups about policy issues impacting the department.

Build and Maintain Effective Relationships with Key Constituencies

This position will serve as a liaison for the Department of Health and Human Services with the Legislature, Legislative Caucus Staff, the Legislative Service Agency (LSA), the Office of the Governor, the Department of Management, and key constituency representatives from stakeholder groups across the state by spending extensive hours during legislative session at the Capitol and remaining available to members of the Legislature, Caucus Staff, LSA, and members of legislative leadership.

Manage Constituent Response Process

During legislative session and the interim period, provide prompt, accurate, and timely responses to constituent concerns or inquiries from members of the legislature, the governor's office, Congress, and stakeholder groups. This essential work will be accomplished by meeting regularly with department leadership and subject matter experts throughout the agency to gather all necessary information to provide accurate responses.

Coordinate Legislative Implementation Process

Once legislation is passed by the legislature and signed by the governor, which has impacts to the Department of Health and Human Services, this position will track and manage its implementation across the HHS enterprise. This will be accomplished by working with subject matter experts and executive leadership from divisions throughout the agency to accurately determine legislative intent, implementation timeline, and necessary internal policy changes to comply with the legislation.

Assist with Media Responses

This role will provide timely and accurate information to the communications director as needed that relate to policy and operational issues impacting the department.

Key

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Advises Director and Deputy Director on policy matters affecting HHS
• Communicate with internal staff, external stakeholders, legislators, caucus staff, other executive branch agencies, the Governor's office and legislative services staff about the department's policy and budget priorities
• Coordinates responses to requests for information from members of the General Assembly and the Governor's office/department of management and legislative services agency
• Presents information about the department's budget and policy priorities internally and to external groups as requested
• Monitors activity at the Capitol during legislative session and communicate activity updates to internal staff and external stakeholders on a regular basis
• Position is a confidential employee pursuant to IAC 8A.412

Required Skills and

Competencies:

• Ability to…