Maine State Chamber of Commerce
Government Relations Specialist
Augusta, Maine
Overview of the Position:
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is seeking a positive, self-motivated, strategic, relationship-building collaborator, who is team-oriented, and a visionary, as their next Government Relations Specialist. The Government Relationship Specialist is responsible for effectively communicating State Chamber policy positions, in particular area(s) of expertise, to the Chamber membership, the legislature, the Governor’s office, state agencies, and the public.
About the Maine State Chamber of Commerce:
Founded in 1889, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce is Maine’s largest business association, serving as The Voice of Maine Business on behalf of thousands of employers of all sizes and sectors across the state. The Maine State Chamber focuses on three pillars - Advocacy, Access, and Awareness - to advance a positive business climate and secure a strong state economy in which Maine businesses can compete and succeed.
As the state’s most influential business advocate, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce works to ensure a business climate in which Maine State Chamber members, large and small, can compete successfully in the local, regional, national, and world marketplaces. The organization promotes a positive business climate in the state of Maine, by focusing on Advocacy, Access, and Awareness. As the state’s premier business advocacy organization, we work to empower the state's business community to collaboratively advance a proactive agenda for economic growth and prosperity in Maine.
Since 1889, the Maine State Chamber has been fighting to lower your cost of doing business. Through our Grassroots Action Network and relationship with local and regional chambers of commerce across the state, we work with a network of approximately 5,000 employers statewide. As Maine’s Chamber, we make sure that the business environment of the state continues to thrive.
Known as The Voice of Maine Business, the Maine State Chamber is a not-for-profit organization supported through membership dues and contributions and advocates daily on behalf of our members’ interests before the legislature and regulatory agencies, and through conferences, seminars, and affiliated programs. Our advocacy team testifies before the Maine Legislature and the state’s regulatory agencies; intervenes in adjudicatory hearings; drafts business-oriented laws and rules; meets regularly with business and state decision-makers; and keeps members informed through newsletters, emails, alerts, reports, conferences, programs, seminars, and through personal contacts.
As determined by our Board of Directors, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce focuses its legislative efforts on initiatives and policies that preserve the cost of doing business in Maine and improve the regulatory climate in which our employers operate. Our advocacy efforts focus largely on key public policy areas: Taxation and the state’s budget, Health care and insurance, Human resources issues, Workers’ compensation, Energy and environmental policy, Education and workforce development, Regulatory reform, Economic development, and Business regulation.
Position Responsibilities Include:
Preferred Education & Qualifications:
· Must be or able to become a registered lobbyist
· Must be available for some early mornings and evenings to participate in Chamber events or oversee Chamber policy responsibilities at legislature.
· Must be willing to do some travel for Chamber related meetings and events
· Must be able to communicate frequently with Chamber staff, president/CEO, VP of Chamber, and others in order to collaborate and accurately complete work assignments
· Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment, including but not limited to a calculator, copy / scanner machine, printers
SALARY, BENEFITS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Job Type
Full time
Pay
$95,000-$110,00 or commensurate with job experience
Benefits
401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Vision insurance
Short-term and Long-term Disability
Schedule
Monday thru Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm with some early mornings and evenings
Dress code
This person will be expected to maintain a professional business appearance.
For more information or to apply, please contact Simon West at [email protected] or at (207) 623-4568.
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce is seeking a positive, self-motivated, strategic, relationship-building collaborator, who is team-oriented, and a visionary, as their next Government Relations Specialist. The Government Relationship Specialist is responsible for effectively communicating State Chamber policy positions, in particular area(s) of expertise, to the Chamber membership, the legislature, the Governor’s office, state agencies, and the public.
About the Maine State Chamber of Commerce:
Founded in 1889, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce is Maine’s largest business association, serving as The Voice of Maine Business on behalf of thousands of employers of all sizes and sectors across the state. The Maine State Chamber focuses on three pillars - Advocacy, Access, and Awareness - to advance a positive business climate and secure a strong state economy in which Maine businesses can compete and succeed.
As the state’s most influential business advocate, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce works to ensure a business climate in which Maine State Chamber members, large and small, can compete successfully in the local, regional, national, and world marketplaces. The organization promotes a positive business climate in the state of Maine, by focusing on Advocacy, Access, and Awareness. As the state’s premier business advocacy organization, we work to empower the state's business community to collaboratively advance a proactive agenda for economic growth and prosperity in Maine.
Since 1889, the Maine State Chamber has been fighting to lower your cost of doing business. Through our Grassroots Action Network and relationship with local and regional chambers of commerce across the state, we work with a network of approximately 5,000 employers statewide. As Maine’s Chamber, we make sure that the business environment of the state continues to thrive.
Known as The Voice of Maine Business, the Maine State Chamber is a not-for-profit organization supported through membership dues and contributions and advocates daily on behalf of our members’ interests before the legislature and regulatory agencies, and through conferences, seminars, and affiliated programs. Our advocacy team testifies before the Maine Legislature and the state’s regulatory agencies; intervenes in adjudicatory hearings; drafts business-oriented laws and rules; meets regularly with business and state decision-makers; and keeps members informed through newsletters, emails, alerts, reports, conferences, programs, seminars, and through personal contacts.
As determined by our Board of Directors, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce focuses its legislative efforts on initiatives and policies that preserve the cost of doing business in Maine and improve the regulatory climate in which our employers operate. Our advocacy efforts focus largely on key public policy areas: Taxation and the state’s budget, Health care and insurance, Human resources issues, Workers’ compensation, Energy and environmental policy, Education and workforce development, Regulatory reform, Economic development, and Business regulation.
Position Responsibilities Include:
- Assist Chamber President and Vice President in developing the Chamber’s overall policy position during the legislative session.
- Represent the Chamber before the legislature, office of the Governor, and public.
- Create mirroring committees to address policy being discussed in area of expertise at the legislature.
- Research, prepare, and deliver testimony before committees at the legislature.
- Effectively communicate with membership and the legislature through the production of articles to be published in the State Chamber newsletter.
- Represent the Chamber before various state and federal regulatory agencies on important issues to Maine’s business community.
- Represent the Chamber on behalf of Maine’s business community on various boards and commissions.
- Assist in other functional areas to promote the mission of the Chamber. Other duties include but are not limited to assisting in member recruitment, member retention, event and program development, event and program delivery, and fundraising.
- Other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Government Relations or President/CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce.
- This position will focus on healthcare and labor issues but support other advocacy areas as necessary.
Preferred Education & Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in public policy, business management, or a related field of study
- At least five years of experience working at Maine State Legislature, with Congressional delegation, or other government organization
- Strong business acumen
- Proven experience in researching public policy issues, preparing, and delivering testimony – Relevant experience in labor and healthcare is preferred.
- Excellent written, oral, and public speaking skills with strong interpersonal communication and project management skills
- Experience using the following computer software:
- Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint)
- Zoom
· Must be or able to become a registered lobbyist
· Must be available for some early mornings and evenings to participate in Chamber events or oversee Chamber policy responsibilities at legislature.
· Must be willing to do some travel for Chamber related meetings and events
· Must be able to communicate frequently with Chamber staff, president/CEO, VP of Chamber, and others in order to collaborate and accurately complete work assignments
· Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment, including but not limited to a calculator, copy / scanner machine, printers
SALARY, BENEFITS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Job Type
Full time
Pay
$95,000-$110,00 or commensurate with job experience
Benefits
401(k)
Dental insurance
Health insurance
Life insurance
Vision insurance
Short-term and Long-term Disability
Schedule
Monday thru Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm with some early mornings and evenings
Dress code
This person will be expected to maintain a professional business appearance.
For more information or to apply, please contact Simon West at [email protected] or at (207) 623-4568.