DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY AND FIRE MANAGEMENT

Address: 1110 W Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $85,479- $110,235 / year

Grade: 25

Closing Date: January 8, 2026

Under the guidance and direction of the Director, the Chief Legislative Liaison is responsible for legislative policy monitoring, assisting in preparing reports for senior leadership regarding the status of legislation; preparing reports and papers analyzing federal and state laws to determine impact on the agency and making recommendations for changes in state laws, while also assessing internal and external communications plans, and writing/producing communications for the public. The incumbent will consult and coordinate regularly with the Director and communicate with the Governor's Legislative Director and/or the Governor's Office Communications Team as appropriate.

The Legislative Policy Administrator is responsible for timely research and analysis of federal, state and local legislative initiatives that have or could have a direct impact on the agency's mission areas. The position also coordinates suggestions and/or creation of future state legislation which furthers the mission of the department; and ensures a professional relationship between the State Legislature and other state and federal entitles and the Department.

• Legislative Policy: Researches and coordinates complex Department-related legislative issues involving new legislative proposals, statute amendments, analyzing legislation that may impact the agency, meeting with legislators.
  
• Development and recommendation of policies Involving legislation related to state trust land issues and provides timely assessment of federal, state and local Initiatives that have or could have a direct impact on the Department's mission areas.
  
• Ensures timely correspondence or responses to legislative requests for Information, and drafts legislation to assist the Department in carrying out its responsibilities. Develops informational reports for the Director and staff on proposed legislative actions.
  
• Assists the Director and other relevant staff in preparing presentations and handouts for the Department before legislative committees and in a variety of State and Federal processes.
  
• During the legislative session, tracks the progress and status of legislation that could impact the mission of the Agency; coordinate timely action plans to manage this potential legislation in order to create systematic responses; works with the Governor’s Legislative staff and other state agency legislative liaisons to coordinate timely responses on bill actions; work with other Agency Divisions to coordinate the implementation schedule of all state legislation enacted during the session.
  
• Maintains consistent communication between the assigned Policy Advisor to the Governor, Governor's Legislative affairs team, and the OSPB.
• Coordinates with DFFM Finance on budget related items and assists Finance with addressing requests from OSPB and JLBC.
  
• Serves as the Constituent Services Liaison to the Office of the Governor and collaborates with the agency public affairs officer to address complaints, feedback, and requests from the public. Assist as necessary with media relations and public information.
  
• Assist as necessary with maintenance of the agency's record retention schedule and archives or disposes of records as required. May assist others with public records requests placed by the public for all department division
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position
  

Knowledge of:

• Various journalist styles, technical writing, report/document editing and presentation skills
  
• How to promote legislative or public policy interest with legislative and/or executive officials
  
• Proven knowledge of the Federal, State, regional and/or local legislative processes, including structure and operation
  
• Principles, techniques, and objectives of public information and relations program
  
• Understanding the various DFFM programs and services, and State and Federal laws, regulations and policies impacting the agency is preferred
  
• Community organizations and stakeholders impacted by the Agency, is preferred
  
• Public relations, marketing, and journalism best practices, theories of persuasive writing and speaking.
• Best practices of social media utilization
• Accepted principles of written English, including punctuation, grammar, usage and style
  

Skills in:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  
• Technical writing and experience producing documents such as legislative bills or amendments, position papers, fact sheets, press releases, marketing or promotional materials, web page and social media content, as well as other related documents
  
• Independent decision makings
  
• Interpreting and understanding state and federal laws and proposed legislation pertaining to DFFM
  
• Organizational and interpersonal skills, including facilitation of group interaction and prioritizing projects/tasks
  
• Excellent judgment when dealing with elected officials, government officials, representatives of the media and stakeholders on sensitive issues
  
• Identifying critical problems and analyzing complex issues
  

Ability to:

• Meet with legislators, legislative staff and other stakeholders regarding legislative matters. Attend and represent DFFM at administrative committee hearings
  
• Interact and represent DFFM through social media platforms
  
• Analyze complex problems and issues, manage complex projects and prioritize tasks
  
• Display sound judgment
  
• Manage multiple tasks of extreme difficulty in an accurate and timely manner
  
• Work on multiple tasks simultaneously and work well under pressure
  
• Recognize and engage those with different backgrounds, characteristics, and perspectives to bridge gaps in understanding of differing viewpoints, as well as ensuring persons with diverse perspectives are given the opportunity to collaborate and provide input in the decision making process.
  

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Public Administration, Journalism, Political Science, Law or applicable field.
  
• Experience in legislative or government affairs and/or public relations directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
  
• Considerable knowledge of AZ legislative procedures and regulations and media relations best practice are also preferred.

• Valid Arizona Drivers License

Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11).

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
  
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
  
• 10 paid holidays per year
  
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
  
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
  
• Deferred compensation plan
  
• Wellness plans
  Tuition reimbursement eligible after one year of employment
  

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

• Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
  
• Participation is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria as defined in statute.
  
• Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
  
• The current contribution rate is 12.00%
  

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Selene Rojas at srojas@dffm.az.gov for assistance.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (623) 236-6664. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.