Harrisburg City Government Relations Director

Are you looking for work where the impact is immediate? Do you love working with a passionate and fun team? Join us!

Job Description

Under the direction of the Harrisburg Area YMCA Vice President of Government Relations, the Harrisburg City Government Relations Director provides direction and management to the external relations between the Association (including its branches) and Harrisburg City Government Officials, Departments, Bureaus and school districts. The Harrisburg City Government Relations Director formulates, implements, and tracks an overall government-positioning plan to create favorable public policies and funding opportunities.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• At least two years of advocacy experience.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to program fidelity.
• Ability to build strong relationships, inspire confidence, and work effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders (health care providers, public health officials, publicly elected officials, health seekers, partner organizations and Senior Y leaders and front-line staff).
• Ability to not only model but live by the YMCA Character Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect & Responsibility, including outside of normal working hours.
• Understanding of the wants, needs, and interests of YMCA members, program participants and residents of the service area.
• Ability to effectively manage data.
• Ability to effectively speak in public with good interpersonal communication skills.
• Health, wellness and advocacy experience preferred.
  
  

Essential Functions

• Develop, implement, and track YMCA public policy efforts, and interact with city elected officials and appointed officials and their staff, to monitor, propose and secure enactment of legislation and funding affecting YMCA programs and projects.
• Provide support and collaborate with Branch Executive Directors and staff relating to interaction and relationship-building with elected and appointed officials in their communities.
• Represent the YMCA in City coalitions and advocacy efforts as approved by the Association.
• Research and analyze appropriate public financing sources and publish regular funding alerts.
• Provide grant-writing support to the Sr. VP of Philanthropy for Branch-initiated applications and multi-Branch applications.
• Track funding alerts, applications, and awards in collaboration with the VP of Administration and the Compliance Officer.
• Inform and advise local officials of Association projects and programs located within officials’ respective jurisdictions, departments, and bureaus.
• Provide leadership to Harrisburg City Government Administration, Departments, Committees, Coalitions, and school districts.
• Develop an ongoing relationship with Harrisburg City School District Administration, School Board, and necessary faculty in order to partner and collaborate on initiatives.
• Attend Harrisburg City School District Board meetings when necessary in order to advocate for the Harrisburg Area YMCA.
• Develop and provide academic support and programming to the Harrisburg City School District. Programs that focus on “safety around water” will be priority.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Harrisburg City EITC Donors.
• Attend the following: Harrisburg Area YMCA Board of Directors meetings, East Shore Board of Managers meetings, and Camp Curtin Board of Managers meetings.
• Support and recruit qualified community members for branch board service.
• Provide support to the Harrisburg Area YMCA Sr. VP of Philanthropy as needed.
• Attend Harrisburg City community events with YMCA staff.
• Obtain training in the Harrisburg Area YMCA Evidence-Based Health Interventions in conjunction with the Center for Healthy Living and any other programs conducted within Harrisburg City School Districts.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with other Harrisburg City non-profits that are related to the Harrisburg Area YMCA’s mission.
• Assist the VP of Government Relations in PA State Alliance of YMCAs advocacy efforts.
• Participate in Y-USA trainings and certifications as deemed necessary.
• Support and fundraise for the Annual Support Campaign.
• Complete any other tasks as assigned by the VP of Government Relations.