MACo's dynamic policy team advocates for the county's needs and interests in Annapolis and serves as an expert on specific county-related policy topics. Interested in joining our team? Apply by May 17th.
government relations expert
MACo's policy team is seeking professionals to represent and serve counties and their frontline services across Maryland. Don't you think it's a good fit? Apply now!
MACo is seeking a government relations professional to join our policy team and take a leadership role across a range of public policy areas, coordinating advocacy and other projects with county leaders.
This is a hybrid position, but not a fully remote position. Must be able to work on-site in Annapolis, Maryland.
The Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan voice for all 24 Maryland counties, promoting effective and efficient government through advocacy, education, and collaboration. The association's membership is comprised of county elected officials and representatives from Maryland's 23 counties and the city of Baltimore. MACo provides a wide range of services to its members, including education, partnership building, and cost reduction. Policy efforts, including advocacy in the General Assembly and state agencies, play a fundamental role in fulfilling MACo's mission.
MACo will consider junior and senior candidates within this general job description. A wide range of pay is offered, but compensation is based on experience.
Policy team members will:
- represent Counties elect and appoint leaders as resources, advocates, and voices.
- lead Regarding policy advocacy, analysis, research, and communication to members.
- To contribute MACo's mission, affiliated companies, conferences, and educational activities
- cooperate Collaborate with other staff for events, services, relationships, and projects.
Common tasks include (but are not limited to):
- Become an expert in all policy areas within your assigned portfolio
- Read and consider the bill for its impact on county government
- Research policy topics such as previous years' bills, impact on counties, implementation needs and challenges, fiscal impact, and other relevant details.
- Make presentations to workgroups (internal and external) and MACo members.
- Write testimonies and give oral testimony at committee hearings
- Participate in social media to promote MACo's mission and strategy
- Source, research, and write blog content daily for MACo's blog. conduit street
- Develop content for conferences and events based on policy portfolios
- Identify and invite speakers for conferences and events
- Attend other meetings and events to present the county's perspective on a variety of topics.
- Build relationships with legislators, state departments, the Governor's Office, other advocates, for-profit and nonprofit representatives, etc.
- Serves as a policy liaison for assigned MACo related groups (County Human Resources Director, Health Director, etc.).
- Respond to media inquiries regarding topics within assigned policy portfolio
MACo's team of policy experts are each assigned a portfolio of topics related to county governance. Although MACo intends to consider tailoring assignments to the successful applicant's area of expertise, the portfolio for this position may include:
- Health and welfare services
- Employee benefits and relationships
- pension
- commercial affairs
- parks and recreation
- Information technology and cyber security
Requirements:
- Knowledge of Maryland state and local government
- Familiarity with Maryland's legislative and policy processes.
- Excellent public speaking and oral communication skills
- good negotiation skills
- Excellent persuasive writing skills
- Excellent research, analytical and computer proficiency.
- Familiarity/comfort with social media channels (particularly X, formerly Twitter)
- Confident in taking initiative, setting priorities, and working independently.
- Teamwork and customer service oriented mindset
- A law or master's degree in a relevant policy field is preferred, but relevant work experience is strongly considered
- Although this is a hybrid position, the successful candidate must be able to commute to Annapolis daily during the legislative session (approximately January through April each year).
- MACo staff always have a stable internet connection while working from home
Full details (includes salary range and application link)
