Government Relations Associate

About us:

The mission of the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) is to represent professional registered nurses, healthcare professionals, as well as all members. Through the MNA, members shall act to educate, advocate, organize, and collectively bargain to promote professional practice, quality patient outcomes, and healthy communities. The mission shall be unrestricted by considerations of age, color, creed, disability, gender, gender identity, health status, nationality, race, religion, or sexual orientation.

Summary/Objective:

The Government Relations Associate is responsible for will work under the direction of the Associate Executive Director for Healthcare Practice, Policy & Strategic Initiatives to help implement a comprehensive and effective governmental relations and member mobilization program for MNA.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Essential Functions:

• Assist in the execution of strategies, in coordination with the GA staff and Associate Executive Director, to advance those priorities based on input from nurse and healthcare professional leaders, public policy makers, key staffers, and subject matter experts
• Monitors, research, and tracks proposed and existing legislation, regulations, and related public policy issues at the state level to determine possible impact on nurses and healthcare workers
• Prepares summaries, legislative and regulatory analyses, background and briefing materials and legislative testimony for elected officials, staff, Board of Directors, Council on Legislative & Public Policy and MNA members
• Assists with and communicates MNA’s candidate screening process in targeted local and state races. Assists candidates with the navigation of the MNA endorsement process. Along with the other GA staff, identify targeted electoral campaigns with MNA locals as well as other labor and community allies
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date calendars and schedules and manages changes or adjustments as needed. Coordinates with internal teams and stakeholders to align meeting objectives with organizational goals and strategies
• Contacts and confers with members of legislative bodies and other elected and appointed officials and other organizations to support MNA’s positions on legislation or regulations
• Assists with the administration and record keeping of the MNA-PAC and MNA-PAC Board of Trustees. Pays special attention to proper collection of PAC contributions, accurate recording, and ensures timely and accurate MNA-PAC Campaign Finance Reports are created and reviewed prior to filing. Files necessary Campaign Finance Reports with the Bureau of Elections for the MNA-PAC
• Collaborates and plans with other MNA staff, to provide individual and group training on advocacy, grassroots lobbying, and political action, with special attention to opportunities such as organizational lobby days
• Identify performance metrics and develop tracking and reporting mechanisms for the duties assigned above. Work with other members of the MNA team to ensure that the policy agenda, legislative progress, and political priorities are communicated in a timely way to members. Adjust priorities as necessary to ensure performance of the strategic plan.
  
  

Non-Essential Functions:

• Schedules and coordinates meetings, briefings, and events with legislative offices to discuss policy initiatives, advocacy efforts, and organizational priorities. Communicates and collaborates with MNA and legislative staff to ensure seamless logistical arrangements including venue bookings, attendee lists, and briefing materials
• Facilitates follow-up communications with legislative offices to ensure action items and next steps are clearly defined and executed
• Mobilizes turnout for MNA PAC, Political Advocacy & Education Events. Conducts outreach to Legislators/Candidates and staff regarding MNA events, endorsement screenings, MNA positions, PAC & Coalition participation. Identify, along with GA team, targeted electoral campaigns with MNA locals as well as other labor and community allies. Responsible for contributing to MNA’s legislative goals and for helping to build political power for the organization
  
  

This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Required education and experience:

• Associate’s degree
• Minimum of three (3) years’ demonstrated experience, with progressively increased responsibility, in legislative or political advocacy.
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks and assignments from inception to completion
• Understanding and experience with campaign finance regulations and compliance, ensuring adherence to financial reporting requirements
• Established relationships with external healthcare and labor organizations
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• Ability to create complex spreadsheets, presentations, and documents
• Experience with maintaining and managing databases
• Ability to input, analyze, and extract data efficiently
• Hands-on experience with Voter Activation Network software and demonstrated knowledge of utilizing VAN for voter outreach & engagement
• Demonstrated experience with member turnout/mobilization for campaigns and events
  
  

Preferred qualifications/experience:

Bachelor’s degree in nursing, political science, public administration, communications, or related field.

• Demonstrated experience leading and organizing issue advocacy campaigns with a proven record of upward movement
• Demonstrated experience with public policy
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing effective policy-based communications for internal and external use
• Experience in serving on or working with organizational boards of directors
• Experience engaging with Michigan-based legislators on healthcare and labor-related issues
• Proven experience in providing comprehensive event support
• Proven track record in supporting the labor movement and promoting fair labor practices
  
  

Other combinations of education and experience which could provide the necessary knowledge and skills will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Physical Demands:

• Work is generally performed in an office setting with prolonged periods of sitting and working on the computer
• When necessary, lifting of normal items found in an office setting (boxes of paper, storage boxes, etc.)
  
  

Additional Requirements

Travel Required:

• Ability to travel in Michigan, ability to work long, irregular hours according to the demands of the job. Offsite work and overnight travel are required
• A valid drivers’ license, use of a car for work, and specified automobile insurance coverage are required
  
  

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