Director of NTID Government Relations

Director of NTID Government Relations

9180BR

National Technical Institute for the Deaf

NTID Administrative Affairs

Job Summary

Working directly with the Associate Vice President of RIT for NTID Administration and the NTID President/Vice President and Dean of RIT, the Director of NTID Government Relations is responsible for the development and implementation of strategies to cultivate and enhance NTID’s relationships with government officials. The Director of NTID Government Relations engages federal and state government officials and agencies to support NTID’s federal agenda, secure funding for NTID’s annual federal appropriation (currently at $92.5M annually), and develop mutually beneficial partnerships. The Director of NTID Government Relations is an experienced government relations professional with extensive knowledge of the federal budget and appropriations process, federal regulatory compliance, and federal reporting requirements

Job Responsibilities

Develop relationships between NTID and the U.S. Congress and state and local government, including elected officials and key staff:

• Along with NTID President and Associate Vice President of RIT for NTID Administration, develop the defense and explication of the annual federal appropriations request and the related strategy for Congressional outreach.
• Accompany NTID President to Washington D.C. or on Zoom to meet with Congressional staff.
• Work with Senate and House appropriations committees (funding), Senate and House authorizing committees (e.g., Education of the Deaf Act), New York delegation, and other Members of Congress to foster conditions favorable to, and supportive of, NTID, serving as primary NTID contact for committee staff and for the individual Members that comprise these committees.
• Cultivate relationships with new or new-to-NTID Members and/or new staffers within Congressional offices.
• Build and maintain relationships with NYS Governor, NYS Senate, NYS Assembly, county and city officials and departments as needed.
• Respond to all non-budget-related Congressional inquiries, including policy issues or constituent complaints.
• Notify NTID’s Office of the Associate Dean of Research (OADR) about federal agency funding opportunities and coordinate with OADR to garner Congressional support for key NTID grant proposals.
• Coordinate with RIT Government and Community Relations staff on joint RIT/NTID government relations activities and outreach.
• Draft key correspondence or briefing documents as needed by NTID President.

Coordinate all other government relations activities:

• Monitor reauthorization of the Education of the Deaf Act, providing input on behalf of NTID.
• Identify opportunities and facilitate NTID involvement in legislative initiatives or pending legislation where NTID has expertise.
• Track federal and state legislation and activities as they relate to NTID and/or are of concern to the academic, deaf and hard-of-hearing communities at NTID.
• Initiate and oversee on-site government-related activities at NTID, including speeches, briefings, meetings, tours, conferences/summits featuring the participation of elected officials, and special awards.
• Build relationships with the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, White House, and other federal government staff as needed to advance NTID goals.
• Coordinate all other government relations activities:
• Monitor reauthorization of the Education of the Deaf Act, providing input on behalf of NTID.
• Identify opportunities and facilitate NTID involvement in legislative initiatives or pending legislation where NTID has expertise.
• Track federal and state legislation and activities as they relate to NTID and/or are of concern to the academic, deaf and hard-of-hearing communities at NTID.
• Initiate and oversee on-site government-related activities at NTID, including speeches, briefings, meetings, tours, conferences/summits featuring the participation of elected officials, and special awards.
• Build relationships with the U.S. Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, White House, and other federal government staff as needed to advance NTID goals.
• Represent NTID on the Committee for Education Funding and attend regular meetings (via Zoom).

• Coordinate annual budget request submissions to the U.S. Department of Education (ED) with the Assistant Vice President for Finance and Budget, with responsibility for final product provided to NTID President/Dean for submission to ED.
• Assist Associate Vice President of RIT for NTID Administration with additional reporting requests and inquiries from ED and planning and attending meetings with ED staff (Washington D.C. or Zoom).
• Plan and oversee the biennial ED monitoring visit to NTID.

Required Qualifications

Education/Experience:
Bachelor's degree; with at least five years of related experience in government or related field, including large-scale project management experience, with experience in college or university setting a plus.

Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, as is the ability to be nonpartisan, collaborative and able to distill complex issues and make sound judgments and recommendations on sensitive and confidential matters.
• Position also requires an excellent understanding and appreciation of NTID’s mission, goals and objectives and how NTID’s government relations strategies intersect with RIT.
• Proficiency in ASL or a strong commitment to developing ASL proficiency.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s or other advanced degree in related field preferred.

Required Minimum Education Level

BA

Work Location

Hybrid — Remote/On-campus

Wage Band

120A

FLSA Category

Exempt

Employment Category

Fulltime

Required Application Documents

Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae or Resume

What do we believe at RIT?

Rochester Institute of Technology is a diverse and collaborative community of engaged, socially conscious, and intellectually curious minds. Through creativity and innovation, and an intentional blending of technology, the arts and design, we provide exceptional individuals with a wide range of academic opportunities, including a leading research program and an internationally recognized education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. We are dedicated to building a diverse community, one where employees feel a sense of belonging, and are valued for their contributions and the perspectives they bring.

As a member of the RIT community, you'll receive a comprehensive employee benefits package that offers multiple options and access to additional employment advantages. You can tailor your benefit elections to meet your needs (affordable medical/dental/vision benefits; paid vacation/sick time/retirement saving plan with exceptional employer match; and tuition assistance for you and your family, to name a few).

How To Apply

In order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at: http://careers.rit.edu/staff. Click the link for search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or the BR number.

Additional Details

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. Rochester Institute of Technology considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources. RIT does not discriminate. RIT promotes and values diversity, pluralism and inclusion in the work place. RIT provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs and activities. RIT provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-475-2424 or email your request to hr@rit.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Hourly/Salary Minimum

60200

Hourly/Salary Maximum

100800