Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief; Chief Federal Policy Advocate

Salary Range: $115,728 – $130,260 (USD) Annually

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Director, Advocacy Division

The Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) is a semi-autonomous state agency established to improve the well-being of Native Hawaiians and to advocate for the betterment of conditions for Hawaiʻi’s indigenous people. OHA advances initiatives across land stewardship, health, housing, education, economic stability, cultural preservation, and governance.

OHA maintains a Washington, D.C. presence to ensure Native Hawaiian perspectives are represented within federal policy making processes and to advance coordinated federal engagement aligned with organizational priorities.

The Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief serves as OHA’s senior federal policy representative and leads the organization’s engagement with Congress, federal agencies, and national policy partners. The position is responsible for developing and executing OHA’s federal advocacy strategy, advising executive leadership and trustees on federal developments, and ensuring consistent, credible institutional representation in Washington, D.C.

This role requires sound political judgment, strategic discipline, and the ability to operate effectively within complex governmental environments. The Bureau Chief oversees the Washington, D.C. office and manages a portfolio spanning legislative advocacy, regulatory engagement, and intergovernmental relationship management.

• Develop and implement OHA’s federal advocacy strategy in alignment with organizational priorities and leadership direction.
• Represent OHA before Congress, congressional committees, federal departments and agencies, and national policy organizations.
• Advance legislative and administrative initiatives affecting Native Hawaiian interests through coordinated engagement and strategic positioning.
• Provide policy guidance and recommendations to executive leadership and the Board of Trustees.

• Maintain professional relationships with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and federal officials.
• Support legislative strategy, negotiations, and federal funding advocacy consistent with approved priorities.
• Prepare testimony, policy briefings, and executive-level communications.
• Monitor appropriations and authorization processes relevant to OHA initiatives.

• Track and analyze federal legislative, regulatory, and political developments.
• Translate policy activity into actionable guidance for leadership.
• Identify emerging opportunities and risks affecting organizational priorities.
• Coordinate internal and external expertise to inform advocacy positions.
• Direct operations of the Washington, D.C. Bureau, including supervision of staff, fellows, interns, and contractors.
• Maintain a professional, accountable, and collaborative office environment.
• Oversee programmatic activities, including OHA’s Washington, D.C. Fellowship program.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of operational resources and alignment with agency policies.

• Serve as a liaison between federal advocacy efforts and OHA divisions in Hawaiʻi.
• Promote consistency in institutional messaging and policy engagement.
• Support leadership visibility and relationship development within national policy networks.

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, law, public administration, or a closely related field.

Advanced degree (Master’s or Juris Doctor) preferred.

• Minimum eight (8) years of progressively responsible experience in federal policy, legislative affairs, governmental relations, or regulatory advocacy.
• Demonstrated experience working with Congress and/or federal agencies.
• Experience advancing complex policy initiatives or legislative priorities.
• At least three (3) years of supervisory or senior leadership experience.

• Federal appropriations and budget processes.
• Congressional committee operations and legislative procedure.
• Executive branch rule making and regulatory engagement.
• Coalition development and intergovernmental…