Government Relations Coordinator

Position Summary

The Coordinator, Government Relations leads the district’s state, federal, and selected local government relations portfolio to advance SKPS’s strategic priorities. The role plans, develops, and implements legislative and policy action strategies; conducts research and engagement activities to shape and support SKPS’s legislative agenda; and coordinates communication regarding proposed legislation and governmental issues. The position facilitates productive dialogue between SKPS Leadership, the Board of Directors, and elected officials and provides expert guidance on proposals, strategies, and advocacy approaches that promote district goals across all levels of government.

Essential Performance Responsibilities

Incumbents may perform any combination of the essential performance responsibilities listed below.

1. Actively participates in team, school, and district initiatives by fostering collaboration, shared problem-solving, and a culture of mutual respect. Contributes ideas, supports colleagues, and advances common goals.
2. Demonstrates commitment to continuous learning by seeking feedback, pursuing professional growth opportunities, and applying new knowledge and skills to improve performance and service.
3. Provides high-quality, values-aligned service to internal and external customers by responding with accuracy, efficiency, and empathy. Maintains a positive, solutions-oriented approach in all interactions.
4. Identifies opportunities for improvement and contributes to process innovation by recommending or implementing changes that enhance efficiency, service, or outcomes. Demonstrates openness to new ideas and approaches.
5. Leads the development and implementation of the district’s legislative agenda, including advancing proactive legislation that supports SKPS priorities.
6. Monitors, analyzes, and summarizes state, federal, and select local legislation and administrative rules, providing timely updates and recommended actions to district leadership.
7. Serves as the district liaison to elected officials, government agencies, and legislative staff, strengthening relationships and coordinating strategic engagement on SKPS priorities.
8. Develops and manages advocacy strategies, events, briefings, school visits, and other activities that enhance understanding of and support for SKPS initiatives.
9. Conducts research and prepares reports, testimony, fact sheets, talking points, and legislative summaries to communicate SKPS positions to internal and external stakeholders.
10. Collaborates across departments to assess the operational and policy implications of legislative and regulatory changes, recommending and coordinating necessary policy or procedural updates.
11. Advises the Superintendent, Board of Directors, and senior leadership on legislative opportunities, risks, and strategic responses affecting district operations and student outcomes.
12. Represents SKPS in education coalitions, community meetings, and statewide partnerships, building collaborative support for district legislative and policy objectives.
13. Supports student leadership groups and staff by facilitating education and engagement in legislative advocacy and civic participation.
14. Supports the development and implementation of special initiatives—such as levy or bond measures and government-level grant opportunities—in alignment with district priorities.
15. Performs other duties related to the position, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

1. Knowledge of organizational policies and procedures, and the ability to learn and apply district-specific standards.
2. Knowledge of state, federal, and local legislative processes, including bill development, public policy cycles, government decision-making structures, and administrative rulemaking.
3. Knowledge of public education systems (Oregon preferred), including governance structures, school district operations, and policies affecting K–12 education.
4. Knowledge of public affairs, advocacy strategies, and government relations best practices, including stakeholder engagement, coalition building, and legislative messaging.
5. Knowledge of research and analysis methods, including ability to evaluate legislative proposals, rule changes, and policy impacts on school district operations.
6. Strong oral and written communication skills appropriate to the responsibilities of the role.
7. Skill in using common technology tools—including email, productivity applications, digital communication platforms, and district systems—with the ability to learn new tools as needed.
8. Skill in preparing reports, testimony, summaries, talking points, and issue briefs that communicate complex legislative or policy concepts clearly and accurately to varied audiences.
9. Skill in relationship-building and strategic communication, including maintaining effective working relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, government agencies, and community partners.
10. Skill in event planning and facilitation, including coordinating legislative visits, advocacy events, briefings, and strategic engagement opportunities.
11. Ability to build and maintain positive, productive, and culturally responsive relationships with students, staff, families, and community partners.
12. Ability to provide timely, accurate, courteous, and empathetic service that reflects district core values.
13. Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and navigate sensitive situations with professionalism, discretion, and integrity.
14. Ability to work effectively under deadlines, interruptions, and changing or competing priorities.
15. Ability to use technology effectively for communication, organization, and completion of work tasks, including district platforms such as Google Workspace and Microsoft Office 365.
16. Ability to analyze legislative, regulatory, and policy proposals, identify implications for SKPS operations and student outcomes, and recommend appropriate strategies or responses.
17. Ability to represent the district in external meetings, coalitions, and public settings with clarity, professionalism, and cultural responsiveness.
18. Ability to independently engage with legislators, legislative staff, and government agencies, representing district positions accurately and persuasively in fast-moving policy environments.
19. Ability to navigate complex, sensitive, and high-stakes discussions, maintaining professionalism and advancing district interests in multifaceted policy landscapes.
20. Ability to develop and manage advocacy strategies, coordinating multilevel engagement across departments and community partners.
21. Ability to anticipate political, legislative, and regulatory risks and opportunities, integrating this awareness into strategic recommendations for district leaders.
22. Ability to support students and staff in civic engagement, helping build understanding of legislative processes and advocacy opportunities.
23. Ability to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration, ensuring the accurate assessment of policy impacts and coordinated organizational responses.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of training, experience, and/or education may be considered in meeting these position requirements.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, public administration, communications, education, or a related field.

Experience

1. Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, public policy, or legislative affairs, including analyzing legislative processes, coordinating advocacy efforts, engaging in administrative rulemaking, and developing and maintaining effective working relationships with elected officials, government agencies, and policy stakeholders; or other experience that demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job responsibilities.
2. Experience working in K–12 education advocacy, a public agency, or legislative/government environment.
3. Experience representing an organization in policy discussions, legislative committees, coalitions, or public meetings.
4. Experience developing policy briefs, testimony, talking points, or legislative communications.

Licenses, Certifications, and Other Requirements

Possession of a valid US driver’s license and availability of private transportation (mileage reimbursement provided)

Working Conditions

Physical Demands

1. Constantly (more than 5.6 hours or 69% of the day): Sitting, Hearing, Repetitive Motion
2. Frequently (Between 2.6 hours and 5.5 hours or 33% to 68% of the day): Finger Dexterity, Walking, Standing
3. Occasionally (Up to 2.5 hours or 32% of the day): Carrying/Lifting, Reaching, Multi-limb Coordination, Pulling/Pushing, Color Vision
4. Rarely: (Less than 1 hour or 12% of the day): Crouching/Kneeling, Balancing, Climbing

Work Type/Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Mental and Psychological Demands

Medium: Work regularly requires sustained attention, multitasking, and problem-solving in a school or district environment. Stress may increase during peak academic periods, when schedules shift, or when responding to unexpected student, family, or staff needs. Responsibilities may include occasional challenging interactions, managing emotions in sensitive conversations, and at times working under tightened deadlines. Exposure to frustration or criticism from students, families, staff, or community members may occur but is not persistent.

Working Environment

Everyday risk and minimal discomfort: Work is performed in typical school or department office settings with minimal exposure to physical or behavioral hazards. Spaces are clean, climate-controlled, and predictable. Interactions with students, staff, and the public are routine and rarely involve elevated risk beyond normal school operations.

EEO Statement

Salem-Keizer Public School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity and other characteristics protected by law. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential duties.

Representative Duties

This job description is intended to accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities, and requirements of the position. It is not intended to be and should not be construed as an all-inclusive list of all the responsibilities, skills, or working conditions associated with the position. The district reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties and assign other duties as necessary.

Revision History

12/10/25 - Created

Type: Administrative – Non-Licensed
FTE: 1.0
Status: Permanent
Salary Range: $126,176 - $147,608
Application Procedure: Apply online

All Applicants, please note:  If selected, you will be asked to participate in an interview process. Interviews are conducted virtually, in person, or via a one-way video.  Please note interviews are a required part of the hiring process, non-compliance with the interview eliminates your eligibility for the position.

Salem-Keizer Public Schools does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veterans' status, or other categories protected by ORS Chapter 659A.