Federal Liaison to Government Affairs

Job Description

Job Description

Position:  Federal Liaison for Government Affairs

Hours:  Mon – Fri, some weekends and evenings

Location: Washington, DC; some travel required; in office required

Department:  Advocacy

Salary: $110,000 - $130,000 annually, exempt

Who We Are

Commit to protect hunting for future generations.

Safari Club International (SCI) is the leader in defending the freedom to hunt and promoting sustainable-use wildlife conservation worldwide for over 50 years. As the only hunting rights organization with a Washington D.C.-based national and international advocacy team and an all species focus, SCI mobilizes nearly 150 chapters and affiliate networks representing millions of hunters around the world.

Our staff, partner organizations, and chapter networks internationally are involved in advocacy on local and global hunting issues, such as opposing international hunting import bans, opposing firearms restrictions, supporting rural areas and community leadership, and more.

Our Core Values — You are a HUNTER
At SCI, our values guide everything we do. We seek candidates who embody our HUNTER mindset:

• H – Hunting Matters : We champion the importance and ethics of hunting and conservation.
• U – Uncompromising Integrity : We do the right thing, always.
• N – Never-Ending Growth : We are committed to continuous improvement and learning.
• T – Teamwork : We collaborate, support, and celebrate one another.
• E – Excellence : We hold ourselves to high standards in all we do.
• R – Respect : We treat everyone with dignity, fairness, and professionalism.

Summary

Serve as a lead federal lobbyist for Safari Club International (SCI) with the U.S. Congress and Administration covering all issues of importance to SCI. Collaborate extensively with the Director of Government Affairs, advocacy staff and Government Affairs Committee volunteers on legislative activities and priorities related to SCI and its members. Responsibilities also include advancement of SCI’s relationships with external stakeholders (both governmental and non-governmental) that influence public policy, provide counsel about possible courses of action, and identify key external engagement opportunities on policy. Lead a collaborative operation for SCI’s political programs (PAC, SuperPAC and grassroots). Collaborate with other SCI departments in furtherance of SCI’s mission to be first for hunters. The Liaison will be required to register as a federal lobbyist.

All applicants should demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, hunting as an essential part of biologically sound and ethically responsible international wildlife management. The ideal candidate will have an existing knowledge of SCI’s current programs and mission and be passionate about hunter’s rights.

Responsibilities

• Work to advance SCI’s policy agenda through extensive contact with the U.S. Congress and the Administration.
• Enhance the effectiveness of SCI’s pro-hunting agenda lobbying efforts by maintaining high visibility on Capitol Hill, developing and maintaining relationships, and gathering information and legislative intelligence.
• Maintain and elevate a cadence of events in SCI’s Washington, D.C. office, including fundraisers, educational events, and receptions.
• Assist with developing lobbying strategy and represent the SCI’s position before members of Congress and their staffs.
• Participate in SCI-led or supported coalitions and provide strategic input to help improve their efforts.
• Maintain knowledge of SCI priorities and legislative issues in order to provide accurate and timely information and assistance to member companies and other staff.
• Engage SCI membership and be responsive to their requests and professional in all interactions.
• Assist with member company recruitment and retention.
• Ability to handle pressure in a deadline driven environment.
• Manage member fly-in and lobby day in conjunction with the annual May board meeting.
• Perform other related duties as assigned. Attends meetings, conventions, trade shows, and other events as appropriate.
• Manages day-to-day work of team; participates in interviews, orients/trains new team members, and assigns, and directs work. Reports need for individual counseling on disciplinary and performance issues. Addresses complaints and concerns about directed work.
• Supports an open communication culture. Conduct regular team meetings; update team on current goals and best practices, answer questions, and help team with new issues. Responsible for communicating procedural updates to regular work. 
• Monitor and report as needed team and individual performance including quality of work and compliance; set clear expectations and goals. 
• Identify new training. Trains all new hires on the team. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned. Attend meetings, conventions, trade shows, and other events as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Seven to 10 years of professional experience working on Capitol Hill or in a federal government relations capacity;
• Experience in lobbying, government relations, or legislative advocacy required. Current lobbyist registration is preferred; otherwise, the successful candidate must obtain any necessary registrations promptly upon hire.
• Thorough understanding of the legislative process and congressional procedures, as well as existing relationships on Capitol Hill;
• Bachelor's degree in a related field from a college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Valid driver’s license with ability to be insurable on SCI policy
• Strong Leadership and problem solving skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite software, to include OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams with an ability to become familiar with SCI-specific programs and software. 
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication skills, interpersonal and customer service skills, organizational skills and attention to detail. 
• Strong persuasive and intellectual ability
• Ability to plan, think independently and adapt to the needs of a fast-paced professional environment
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and independently follow through on assignments
• Ability to handle pressure in a goal and deadline driven environment

Any equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience that fulfills the requirements of the position will be considered.

Benefits

Safari Club International offers a full benefit package. Please go to our careers page to view our Benefit Summary: