Government Affairs Director

POSITION SUMMARY

The Government Affairs Director (GAD) represents the REALTORS® Association of Maui (RAM) in a professional, credible manner before federal, state, and local legislators and other elected or appointed officials. In doing so, the Government Affairs Director establishes and maintains good working relations with public officials and staff; helps ensure that Association leadership and members of the Association are well informed in a timely manner of pending government policy issues; assists in developing appropriate responses to public policy initiatives by working effectively with the Government Affairs Committees and the Board of Directors; works to advance the Association’s strategic plan and public policy positions; and helps expand membership’s interest in the legislative and political arena.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serves as staff liaison to the Government Affairs Committee. Works with the GAC chair to set agendas, subcommittees, invite guest speakers, and educate the committee. Work with committee to identify issuepriorities, action strategies, and develop minutes. Updates the committee on federal and state, and localcollaborative efforts.
• Design, develop and coordinate programs, briefing and position papers in consultation with Association CEO, GAC, and Board of Directors to inform, educate, involve and mobilize membership on issues of legislative and political importance.
• Monitor and maintain awareness of local, state, and national legislative issues impacting the real estate industry and real estate consumers; coordinated with the State and National Association of REALTORS®.
• Develop and maintain ongoing relationships with local officials in Maui County. Foster an atmosphere of cooperation, and collaboration, and leads advocacy efforts on behalf of the association on a local level. Work directly with lawmakers and regulators to monitor issues, and educate them on the association positions.
• Coordinate alliances with other trade associations, interest groups and community and corporate entities on issues of common concern.
• Attend and monitor public meetings such as county council, planning commission, etc., as needed. Prepare written testimonies and represent the Association before local government bodies on issues relating to the Association or the real estate industry and consumers.
• Coordinates the RAM Candidate endorsement process through election season.
• Coordinates, schedules, and facilitates in‐person RAM Grass Roots Teams in quarterly meetings with County Mayor and Council Members. Acts as the common thread of knowledge, recruits and rallies team members for greater participation.
• Provide reports to the Boards of Directors at their regularly scheduled meetings, and to general membership at various Association meetings and functions.
• Write articles for the newsletter, blog, and use other communication vehicles to educate the associationmembership about community‐based efforts, related initiatives, fair housing, REALTOR® safety, housing affordability and other real estate topics, real property rights, and the Quality‐of‐Life Principles.
• Monitor legislative, regulatory, and business trends impacting real estate and property rights.
• Supports government affairs programs in tandem efforts to support advocacy, while engaging members and homeowners in community‐based efforts. Leads efforts to secure NAR Place Making Microgrants, and the execution of such projects (Grant Writing).
• Help promote the Association’s land use policy among county and local planners as well as other officials and the general public.
• Serve as liaison to Realtor® Political Action Committee (RPAC)
• Works with the RPAC Trustees to develop a plan for reaching RPAC investment goals. Executes plan and ensures compliance with state and federal law. Works with the RPAC Committee to identify candidates for support and funding.
• Works with the RPAC Trustees to meet NAR and State fundraising goals and ensure that the association meets NAR’s Core Standards advocacy compliance criteria annually.

STATE AND NATIONAL MEETINGS

• Attend state and national meetings as authorized by the Board of Directors for the purpose of keeping up to date on matters concerning governmental regulations.

CHARACTERISTICS

• Bachelor’s degree and 5 or more year’s recent business experience.
• Strong background in, or knowledge of, real estate industry, lobbying or legislative field preferred.
• Prior association experience preferred.
• Ability to present effective written and verbal arguments to both allies and opposition.
• Experience in and knowledge of legislative process on local, state, and federal levels.
• Positive attitude, ability to interact well with members, legislators, staff, and ability to represent the Association and real estate industry.
• Management abilities helpful, able to coordinate member activities; work well with a team.
• Must be self‐directed, able to identify projects, develop strategies to conduct projects, and see projects to completion.
• Position may require attendance at evening/weekend meetings, and occasional travel to relevant training sessions and/or Association events.
• Collaborate with team on Association projects and initiatives.
• Real estate licensee must be inactive status

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Able to lift 25 lbs.
• Work will primarily be done in an office setting
• Work Hours: Full‐Time, Monday through Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Some evening/weekend work
• Mental Demands: Must be able to work within deadlines and process multiple projects simultaneously

DISCLAIMER

This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or beassigned at any time with or without notice.