Government Relations Associate

Summary of position:

The Government Relations Associate will support the Government Relations Director and the Conservation and External Relations Teams in executing strategic priorities related to legislation and outreach during the 2025 Idaho legislative session and beyond. During the legislative session, which generally occurs January through April, the Associate will attend committee meetings, track and analyze legislation, coordinate with partners, members, and supporters, and support other organizational priorities. 

Outside the legislative session, the Associate will assist ICL’s Conservation team by tracking state and federal legislative issues, attending interim legislative committee meetings, Idaho Land Board meetings, and other governmental body meetings. In addition, the associate will work closely with Conservation staff to advance legislative and administrative goals. 

Title: Government Relations Associate

Supervisor: Government Relations Director

Wage: $58,500 plus generous benefits—paid health insurance, Simple IRA with match, 

PTO and more 

Classification: Full-time exempt

Location: Boise, ID

Date: Starts ~January 3, 2025

Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage relationships with key federal, state, and local elected officials, government agency staff, and other stakeholders, including nonprofit and corporate partners.
• Track legislation and conduct in-depth research on legislative proposals related to the environment and other strategic priorities, in partnership with ICL Conservation staff.
• Monitor, attend, and report on legislative briefings and committee hearings.
• Draft testimony, support letters, position papers, and talking points to advance ICL’s policy priorities; testify at hearings when needed.
• Assist in preparing weekly legislative updates and collaborate with the Engagement and Communications teams to alert ICL supporters when action is needed. Encourage constituent engagement, including public testimony and participation in legislative-related events.
• Coordinate with partner groups to support legislative analysis, mobilization, and constituent recruitment.
• Carry out other conservation work, primarily outside the legislative session.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills needed: 

• Strong analytical, research, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legislative issues into clear and concise language for diverse audiences.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders across different sectors, including community members, government officials, businesses, and nonprofit partners.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with strong organizational and time management skills. 
• Familiarity with social media and other digital platforms is beneficial. 
• Passion for environmental advocacy and the power of grassroots mobilization.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to adapt and capitalize on new opportunities in a fast-paced legislative environment.
• Background in natural resources, political science, public policy, or state/federal legislation is helpful, but not required.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), with a desire and ability to work with diverse populations.

Application Process:

Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and three references in a single PDF file to [email protected]. Please include “ICL Government Relations Associate” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until November 1, 2024, or until the position is filled. 

ABOUT ICL: 

Founded in 1973, the Idaho Conservation League is Idaho’s oldest and largest state-based, non-profit conservation organization. We are a membership organization with members and supporters across Idaho; a Board of Directors with statewide geographic representation; offices in Boise, Ketchum, McCall and Sandpoint; employing 29 staff. ICL’s mission is to create a conservation community and pragmatic, enduring solutions that protect and restore the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the land and wildlife you love. Our vision is an Idaho where public lands remain public and are well managed, air is clean, lakes and rivers are healthy, fish and wildlife thrive, and a prosperous, sustainable future exists for all Idahoans. ICL is committed to doing conservation work in an equitable and just way. Clean water, clean air, public lands, and abundant fish and wildlife should be accessible to everyone. ICL is committed to a long-term goal of broadening our work to better serve the diversity of people our work connects to, particularly those populations with traditionally underrepresented voices or marginalized communities.

The Idaho Conservation League’s programs and employment are open to all. ICL does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or ability in any of its policies or programs. Learn more at www.idahoconservation.org.