Government Jobs in Charleston, SC

Description

*This position will be Open until Filled. For full consideration, all application related materials should be submitted by August 6, 2026.

The Director of Government Affairs reports to the Executive Director of External Relations and supports the Vice President of External Relations and Campus Operations Division. This position will serve as CSN's liaison to government officials, the Nevada System of Higher Education, the Board of Regents, and strategic external partners. Under the direction of the Executive Director, the Director of Government Affairs establishes and maintains relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, government agencies, and senior college leadership; coordinates meetings and legislative engagement opportunities; collaborates on system-wide legislative priorities; and assists in developing and implementing a comprehensive government relations strategy that advances the college's mission and strategic priorities.

The Director of Government Affairs is a key member of the Government Affairs team and plays an essential role in planning and executing CSN's government relations strategy. The position advances the college's legislative priorities by coordinating advocacy efforts, supporting policy development, monitoring legislation, and facilitating communication with government agencies, elected officials, and policymakers. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining comprehensive bill tracking throughout the legislative session and preparing legislative reports, briefing materials, presentations, testimony, and other advocacy collateral. The Director is expected to reside in Carson City during the Nevada Legislative Session.

In addition to external advocacy, the Director works collaboratively across the college to engage students, faculty, staff, administrators, and shared governance groups in CSN's legislative and public policy efforts. The position helps build a campus-wide culture of advocacy by educating internal stakeholders on legislative priorities, gathering feedback on policy issues affecting the college, and developing an informed network of advocates who can effectively communicate CSN's impact and priorities to policymakers and the community.

Candidates considered most qualified will demonstrate the ability to think strategically, build consensus, navigate complex political and confidential environments, develop trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders, and effectively represent the interests of a comprehensive community college. Successful candidates will possess experience in government relations or lobbying, a strong understanding of the legislative process, established relationships with elected officials and the lobbying community, exceptional communication and coalition-building skills, and the ability to help advance the strategic priorities of the College of Southern Nevada.

Flexible working hours are required during the legislative session and throughout the year, including evenings and weekends.

Considerable in-state travel is required, including full-time presence in Carson City during the legislative session (February through June of each biennium) and any special legislative sessions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 4-5 years of comparable professional experience.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and legislative tracking tools such as NELIS.

• Ability in maintaining compliance with lobbying laws and regulations.

• Ability to analyze complex policy issues and develop clear, concise recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher in political science, public administration, communications, or a related field from an accredited college; OR equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Prior experience working with Nevada Legislature.

• Familiarity with Nevada’s legislative process, state agencies, and government operations.

• Previous experience as a registered lobbyist during a Nevada Legislative Session in Carson City, Nevada.

• Familiarity of the Nevada legislative process and political landscape.

• Established network within Nevada's political, governmental, higher education, and advocacy communities, with the ability to build coalitions in support of legislative priorities.

The ideal candidate should possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Assists CSN officials in the development of strategies that advocate the mission and needs of the institution to appropriate local, state, and federal government agencies.

• Cultivate, develop, and manage positive relationships with elected officials and other external stakeholders.

• Represent CSN at the Nevada Legislature and work cooperatively with NSHE on effective relationships with government officials.

• Assist with maintaining regular communications with external stakeholders, as directed.

• Coordinate, track and as needed testify on higher education legislation as directed.

• Effectively synthesize position papers and presentations related to government relations on behalf of the college under the direction of the President and in coordination with the senior administration.

• Coordinate dignitary relationships, visits, and initiatives as needed.

• Communicate well verbally and in writing.

• Make recommendations for CSN’s advocacy and strong governmental relationships.

• This position requires professional and personal initiative, self-starting, and anticipation of college needs. The position requires the ability to analyze, synthesize, work under pressure, meet deadlines, network with elected and opinion leaders, and accurately report information.

• Proficiency in use of a personal computer and current software applications including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Make decisions and take actions independently for a variety of diverse situations.

• Show a high degree of creativity and initiative.

Salary information:

Administrative Faculty D - The starting salary is $103,901.

*This position is contingent upon ongoing and available funding.

Exempt

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

To be considered for this position, please upload the following documents to your application:

• Resume/CV

• Cover Letter

• Contact information for three professional references (Name, email and phone number)

• Unofficial Academic Transcripts (Applicants who have earned their degrees outside of the United States must have their educational transcripts evaluated by an approved evaluator if their college or university is not listed in the most recent edition of the Higher Education Directory, published by Higher Education Publications, Inc. If you have any questions regarding this, please reach out to the Human Resources, Talent Acquisition & Classification team)

Local Search

Out of Area/State Candidates will not be offered travel reimbursement.

For more details on this position, please visit our website: My Career at CSN.

CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit .

NSHE - INTERNAL APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE

CSN employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) MUST use the "Find Jobs" process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at CSN and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Find Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site. Locate this specific job posting by typing the requisition number in the search box. If you complete an application outside of the internal application process and apply as an external candidate, your application will no longer be considered at the time of minimum qualification review. In order to prevent the disqualification of your application, you will need to reapply as an internal candidate before 11:59pm the day prior to the position close date.

Posting Close Date

Note to Applicant

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.

All document(s) must be received by 11:59 p.m. the day prior to the closing date posted on the job announcement.

This position may require that a criminal background check be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

CSN is responsive to serving the educational needs of a diverse and ever-changing community. CSN employs only U.S. citizens and aliens authorized to work in the U.S. CSN does not sponsor aliens applying for faculty, professional staff, or management positions (H-1B Visas) in the absence of exceptional circumstances as defined by the USCIS.