POSITION AVAILABLE:

Congressional Liaison

Immediate Opening

Great Lakes Commission
Ann Arbor, Michigan

The Great Lakes Commission is seeking candidates for the position of Congressional Liaison. This individual will play a key role in formulating and representing the interests of the Great Lakes Commission and its eight member states on U.S. federal legislation and appropriations addressing environmental protection, resource management, transportation and sustainable development issues in the Great Lakes region.

Position responsibilities involve working with Commission members and staff in:

Developing and implementing an annual policy statement on legislative and appropriations priorities;

Developing and conducting a “Congressional Advocacy Strategy“ that includes targeted correspondence, testimony and congressional/federal agency meetings;

Organizing a “Great Lakes Day in Washington“ event;

Tracking the status of Great Lakes-related federal legislation and appropriations (with some focus also at the state, and Canadian federal and provincial levels);

Identifying and pursuing advocacy opportunities for Great Lakes Commission priorities;

Developing a network of advocacy partners and forming coalitions on specific issues; and

Working on regional priorities with state Washington offices, House and Senate Great Lakes Coalitions, federal agencies and others in the “Great Lakes Community.“

This position is based at Great Lakes Commission offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan, located near the University of Michigan campus. Periodic travel to Washington, D.C., and U.S. and Canadian cities in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region is anticipated.

The ideal candidate will have 2-5 years experience in a congressional office, or in similar positions that involve “hands on” experience with the legislative and appropriations process.

Required qualifications include experience with the federal legislative and appropriations process; outstanding verbal and written communication skills; a broad knowledge of Great Lakes-St. Lawrence issues; familiarity with associated policy, management, research and advocacy communities; and experience with group process and consensus-building. Academic requirements include a relevant graduate or undergraduate degree.

The position is a full time, renewable 12 month appointment. The Great Lakes Commission offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package that includes (among others) medical, dental and optical insurance. The Commission also has an outstanding pension program through TIAA-CREF.

Application requirements include a letter, resume, three references, salary history and desired salary range. (Note: All must be provided if applicant is to receive consideration.)

The application deadline is Thursday, November 30, 2000. Submit by mail, email or fax to:

Michael J. Donahue, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Great Lakes Commission
400 Fourth Street
Ann Arbor, MI. 48103-4816
mdonahue@glc.org
Phone: 734-665-9135
Fax: 734-665-4370

Interviews will follow immediately, in the interest of filling the position in January 2001.

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The Great Lakes Commission, chaired by Nathaniel E. Robinson (Wisconsin), is a nonpartisan, binational compact agency created by state and U.S. federal law and dedicated to promoting a strong economy, healthy environment and high quality of life for the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region and its residents. The Commission consists of state legislators, agency officials and governors' appointees from its eight member states. Associate membership for Ontario and Québec was established through the signing of a "Declaration of Partnership." The Commission maintains a formal Observer program involving U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, tribal authorities, binational agencies and other regional interests. The Commission offices are located in Ann Arbor, Michigan.