RRC - Government Relations Director

The Railroad Commission of Texas is a state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry; pipeline transport and pipeline safety; natural gas utilities; the LP-gas industry; and surface mining operations. You can find more details about us on the Railroad Commission of Texas' website here https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.   

To support our mission to serve Texas, we need great people to join our team. We provide a great working environment along with outstanding benefits, including:  

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, and at least 12 paid holidays per year
• Telework options for eligible positions  
• Flexible work schedules
• Retirement pension with a 150% agency match – you can watch this YouTube video that describes this amazing benefit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJI6M7g73-w 
• 401(k), 457(b) and Roth
• Health premiums 100% paid for full-time employees
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness and Exercise Leave

• Career development programs/opportunities for advancement  

   

For a complete list of our total compensation package, please visit our website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/jobs/. To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees, visit the Employee Retirement Systems website at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance.  
 

Job Description

The Director of Government Relations performs highly advanced (senior-level) legislative and consultative work. This position manages intergovernmental relations for the RRC, primarily with state government leadership offices and the Texas Legislature. This position also responds to requests for assistance or information from local, state, and federal governmental entities to ensure an open and effective working relationship with partner agencies.

Essential Job Functions

•    Responsible for all legislative affairs of the Railroad Commission, including interactions with the governor's office, lieutenant governor's office, and speaker's office.
•    Agency liaison with stakeholder groups representing various regulated industries under RRC jurisdiction.
•    Intergovernmental liaison with partner agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. 
•    Provides counsel regarding legislative activities affecting the Commission to the executive director and the executive leadership team. 
•    Coordinates and manages the development of the agency's legislative agenda.
•    Coordinates and manages Commission interaction and testimony before legislative committees.
•    Pursues enactment of Commission-proposed legislation.
•    Manages analysis, tracking, and monitors progress of all legislation potentially impacting the RRC.
•    Coordinates and manages implementation of new laws that impact agency operations.
•    Develops, conducts, and evaluates legislative training.
•    Assists legislators with resolving constituent issues related to RRC regulatory activities.
•    Assign and supervise the work of others.
•    Performs related work as assigned.
•    This is a 100% in-office position.
•    This position will require some travel. 
 

For Military Crosswalk information, please visit: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf 
 

Minimum Qualifications

•    Graduation from a four–year college or university with major coursework in Political Science, Public Administration, or a field relevant to the assignment.
•    7 years of experience working with the federal or state legislature, legislative staff, or related research organizations.
•    Experience and education may substitute for each other on a year-for-year basis. 
•    Work in the Austin office 100%.

Preferred Qualifications

•    Experience working in the Texas Legislature as chief of staff to a member, committee director, or government relations director at a Texas state government agency.
•    Experience developing and maintaining relationships with leadership offices, legislators, and staff.
•    Experience managing constituent casework.
•    Knowledge of energy, environmental, and other policy issues related to the Commission's mission preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

•    Knowledge of the federal and state legislative processes and state government administration.
•    Knowledge of the Texas state budget process.
•    Ability to compile, analyze, and present legislative information quickly and accurately.
•    Ability to analyze issues, work under pressure, and meet tight deadlines.
•    Ability to communicate complex legislative issues using strong written and oral communication skills.
•    Ability to work in the office 100%.
•    Skill in policy analysis and research.
•    Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software. 
 

Physical Requirements

Ability to reach high and low; open, close, and retrieve files from file cabinets and operate a computer keyboard and appropriate office equipment. The position requires the ability to frequently stand, walk, sit for long periods, lift up to 20 lbs., open filing cabinets, and bend or stand on a stool as necessary. 
 

Work Hours: Standard office hours for Commission employees are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our agency offers alternative schedules for employees, provided they do not adversely affect operations or service levels and standard hours of operation are maintained. The Commission may also offer telework in accordance with the agency's approved Telework Plan. Alternate work schedules may be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview process.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS:  Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or log in: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

Remarks:  

• There is one available position.  
• Official transcripts, DD214 or DD1300, copies of license/certifications, or other minimum requirement validations will be requested at the time of the job offer.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

• Criminal background checks will be conducted on all final candidates. An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense relevant to the position may be disqualified from employment.

   

THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS ONLY ACCEPTS ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSTING.  

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted. Notifications to applicants are sent electronically to the email address you provide. 
 

The Railroad Commission of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not 
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age 
or disability in employment or in the provision of services. 
The Railroad Commission of Texas is a tobacco-free workplace.