Specialist, Government Relations Job Listing at Kamehameha Schools in Honolulu, Hawaii (Job ID JR-05177)

Description

Job Posting Title

Specialist, Government Relations

Employee Type

Regular

Recruiting Start Date

10-01-2024

Job Exempt?

Yes

Recruiting End Date

Open Until Filled

Aloha mai!  Mahalo for your interest in Kamehameha Schools.  If you are looking for an opportunity to utilize your skills and talents and grow in your profession, while serving and strengthening our Native Hawaiian community, we would love to have you join our ʻohana!

Kamehameha Schools is searching for a Specialist to join our Government Relations team. The ideal candidate for this Specialist role has public policy experience including legislative analysis and research, and is versatile in the use of various communications tools and technologies. A Native Hawaiian cultural understanding will be helpful in this role.

Job Summary

Responsible for implementing government relations programs and tactics that help ensure that relationships and engagement with key stakeholder groups are thriving and aligned with the organization's mission and brand.  Manages a range of efforts to develop and implement outreach and interaction with targeted stakeholders and government groups to advance awareness, understanding and support of KS' mission, initiatives, programs and services throughout the state.  Works in coordination and collaboration with KS and consultants to ensure delivery of consistent KS messages.  Receives and manages community input, and helps build understanding and trust between KS and these groups.  Supports other work as assigned by supervisor.

Essential Responsibilities

Community Relations

• Plans and implements tactics to build understanding, trust and strong relationships with key stakeholder groups throughout the state.
• Helps manage ongoing interactions with key Native Hawaiian-serving organizations and community groups, including planning and implementing regular opportunities to meet, discuss and plan for support or resolution of matters of mutual concern and interest to the Lāhui.
• Utilizes a broad range of communications tools and technologies to build relationships and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes with key stakeholders, community and government groups, lawmakers, and Native-Hawaiian serving organizations.

Government Relations

• Helps coordinate KS' government lobbying programs, including working with retained lobbyists and KS org-wide leaders to track and analyze legislation, develop KS positions, strategies and testimony, ensure accurate and consistent messaging to and with elected officials and other government officials, and coordinate appropriate tracking and reporting of legislative matters of interest to KS and impacting the Lāhui.
• Interacts with SMEs and stakeholders as needed for advocacy.  Helps manage systems for tracking and reporting on federal, state and county legislation. 
• Helps manage systems for tracking and reporting on federal, state and county legislation.
• Interacts with state, county and federal elected officials and their staff as needed to manage legislative issues and to maintain good relationships on behalf of KS.

Enterprise Messaging

• Interacts regularly with cross-organizational staff from all KS programs to help coordinate consistent information and key messaging on KS and other key issues, and to gain understanding of KS-wide goals and objectives while sharing community perspectives and knowledge.  
• Engages with KS community staff to understand and strategize mitigation/solutions to needs, issues and concerns of key stakeholder groups, and helps develop possible shared solutions or initiatives. 
• Responsible for assessing, documenting, and reporting on potential emerging and/or existing issues of concern or potential risk to KS.

Research

• Conducts research, including data collection, analysis and visualization, related to matter of interest to KS and the community. Ensures accuracy, timeliness, and reliability of data and information.

Position Requirements

Minimum Qualifications - An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for the requirements listed.

• Bachelor's degree in Community Relations, Government Relations, Public Affairs, Political Science or related field.
• Minimum of 3 years relevant work experience.
• Experience in community networking, engagement and outreach, especially in grassroots environments.
• Ability to engage community members in face-to-face dialogue in one-on-one and group settings, with expertise in meeting facilitation, building consensus and collaboration.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, execute and manage large-scale, complex, projects from conception to completion; demonstrated ability to meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse personalities and interests, in both individual and group settings, towards identifying and achieving mutually beneficial objectives and outcomes.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication and listening skills.
• The ability to collaborate with others to produce the best product/service in a timely, effective manner. 
• Ability to transform complex and detailed information into straightforward and clear messages that effectively communicate and accurately reflect KS's position and intent.
• Working knowledge of Hawaiian and governmental communities, organizations, informal groups, influencers and decision-makers, with insights into how community issues surface and are successfully solved.
• Interpersonal skills that enable the development of trust and cooperation among constituent groups.
• Knowledge of and experience with traditional and digital communications tools, especially various social media applications to build community interest and engagement.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including nights, weekends and often at remote community sites.
• Must be able to travel to offsite locations on island and within the state as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge, understanding and experience with Hawaiian communities and issues relevant to KS.
• Graduate degree in Political Science, Law or related field.
• Experience with data collection, analysis, and visualization.
• Work experience in a federal, state, or county legislative office.
• Experience in managing political campaigns.
• Policy or on-the-ground expertise in education, real estate development, Native Hawaiian rights, economics, business, civic engagement, sustainability, or agriculture.

Physical Requirements

• Frequently sit, perform desk-based computer tasks and grasp light or fine manipulation, talk or hear.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, peripheral vision and ability to adjust focus. 
• Occasionally stand and/or walk, write by hand, and lift and/or carry, push and/or pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Rarely twist, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, crawl, climb, reach or work above shoulder, or grasp forcefully.

Working Conditions

• This position involves traveling to various locations, including neighbor islands to conduct business.
• Work is conducted in an office environment and may require work to be conducted in non-standard workplaces.
• Work is typically conducted Monday through Friday at normal business hours but evening and weekend hours are often required to meet goals and objectives.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by incumbents assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the responsibilities, duties and skills required. The incumbent may be expected to perform other duties as assigned.

For Internal Use Only:  #LI-CAR

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Please contact us at hr@ksbe.edu or 808-534-8040 if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Work Year

12

Pay Range

76,700.00 - 105,200.00 Annual

Compensation and Benefits

Based on the compensation range provided below, salaries are commensurate with job-related experience, skills and competencies, education, internal equity, length of work year, and other organizational needs.

At Kamehameha Schools (KS), we recognize that compensation is just one facet of a fulfilling employment experience. Our commitment lies in fostering a positive work environment and equipping employees with the necessary resources to excel every day. Our Total Rewards Program embodies KS's dedication to the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our employee ʻohana. Explore our comprehensive Benefits Summary for more information.

Primary Location

Kawaiahao Plaza

City, State

Honolulu, Hawaii

Additional Locations

 Apply on company website