State/Federal Relations Rep I

The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) State Legislative Affairs Division is seeking an individual to serve as a State Legislative Affairs Liaison. In this role, you will represent the Department before the Texas Legislature under the Government Affairs Division, communicating TxDOT’s position on state transportation issues and legislation while working closely with high-level executives, governmental officials, private entities, internal agency audiences, and the public. At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to supporting our employees through a wide range of programs and benefits, including flexible and compressed work schedules, wellness leave incentives, an in-house wellness center, career development programs, tuition assistance, and more.

At TxDOT, we value work-life balance and are committed to providing our employees with a comprehensive range of benefits and programs, including:

• Retirement Plans
• Alternative and/or Flexible Work Schedules
• Paid Leave and Holidays
• Health Premiums paid at 100% for Full-Time Employees
• On-the-Job Training
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Holistic Wellness Program with Leave Incentives
• Career Development and Advancement Opportunities
• Family-Friendly Policies and Programs

In 2024, TxDOT was recognized as a Best Place for Working Parents, and many of our offices statewide are also designated as Texas Mother-Friendly Worksites. These recognitions reflect our dedication to supporting families and promoting a healthy work-life balance.

• For a complete list of our total compensation package please visit our website at: Total Compensation Package
• To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees visit: Benefits at a Glance | ERS (texas.gov)

Represents the Department as a State Legislative Affairs liaison in Austin, under the Government Affairs Division. In this role, you will represent the Department before the Texas Legislature, communicating TxDOT’s position on state transportation issues while engaging with high-level executives, governmental officials, private entities, internal agency audiences, and the public. Key responsibilities include researching and analyzing complex and comprehensive legislation, policies, and related matters; serving as a primary point of contact with members of the Legislature, the Governor’s Office, Department divisions and districts, state agencies, trade associations, and special interest groups; and reporting directly to the Director of the State Legislative Affairs Section. Employees in this role are directly accountable for the quality, accuracy, and integrity of their work.

Essential Duties:

• Assists in developing the Department's official position regarding federal policies and conveys them to congressional members.
• Communicates and coordinates with state legislative and congressional offices, state and federal agencies and special interest organizations regarding transportation issues.
• Identifies and initiates review and/or consideration of relevant issues which may have potential impact on the Department.
• Maintains direct communication with the Administration on the Department's official position on time sensitive issues, concerns, priorities and activities.
• Monitors state legislative or congressional hearings, general sessions and state or national transportation organizational meetings.
• Represents the Department at various meetings, conveying the Department's official position on issues/concerns and fosters productive working relationships on behalf of the Department with outside organizations.
• Researches, analyzes and coordinates with districts and divisions on requests from State Legislative Affairs, Federal
• Affairs, state and federal agencies, the media and private entities.
• Researches, analyzes and monitors complex and comprehensive transportation-related issues and legislation and determines the potential impact on the Department.
• Tracks legislative and regulatory activities and implementation efforts, the state and federal registers and briefing documents regarding transportation issues and potential Department impact.
• Develops and prepares reports, correspondence, hearing testimony and white papers.
• Performs other job responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in a related discipline. Relevant work experience may be substituted for degree on a year per year basis. Substitutions for Minimum Qualifications
• Experience: 2 years legislative research, planning and/or analysis activities. (Experience can be satisfied by full time or prorated part time equivalent). Related graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year per year basis.

Licenses and Certifications: Valid driver’s license. This position requires driving a state vehicle.

Competencies:

Extensive Knowledge Of:

• Statistical analysis methodologies and reporting procedures
• Applicable laws, rules, and regulations
• Policy development methodologies and procedures

• Legislative Process

Expert Skill In:

• Establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support overall business strategy/results; anticipating and interpreting and analyzing legislation, rules, and regulations

Other Attributes:

• Is adept at presenting images and ideas in a clear, concise, organized and interesting manner to optimize audience understanding and keep the group focused
• Observes policies, procedures and standards of conduct
• Manages conflicts quickly, expressing opinions directly and determining resolution in order to advance work and maintain effective relationships
• Listens to others attentively and objectively, giving attention to both verbal and nonverbal statements; accurately restates the opinions of others
• Shows initiative and action beyond what is required to improve products or services; is self-starting and completes assignments independently without constant supervision
• Protects sensitive and confidential information
• Collaborates and cooperates with others and builds effective working relationships with internal and external members to accomplish organizational goals

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions:

• Light work: Lift up to 20 lbs at a time and frequently lift or carry objects up to 10 lbs
• Standing-prolonged periods of time
• Lifting-raising objects from lower to higher position/horizontally to a different position
• Fingering-picking, pinching, typing; working primarily with fingers rather than whole hand
• Close Visual Acuity-work includes data/figures; view a computer screen; extensive reading
• Conditions of Employment:
• Please click this link to read the standard conditions of employment for all positions: Standard Conditions of Employment (TxDOT)

TxDOT is committed to hiring veterans. To assist in determining whether your military experience may pertain to the minimum requirements for this position, Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces have been assigned to each state classification code/title where applicable. The MOS codes are grouped by occupational category. 

To view the MOS codes please click on link below and click on the appropriate occupational category.

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions

The Texas Department of Transportation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

If requested, reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities for any part of the employment process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Action of 1990.

Please click this link to read the information for applicants: Additional Applicant Information