Government Relations Specialist

Government Relations Specialist Job Posting

Are you passionate about building relationships that influence meaningful change for young people? Do you thrive at the intersection of public policy, stakeholder engagement, project management, and mission-driven work? National 4-H Council is seeking a Government Relations Specialist to help strengthen relationships with policymakers, Congressional 4-H alumni, Cooperative Extension partners, and key stakeholders while advancing government relations initiatives that expand opportunities for youth across the country.

At National 4-H Council, we empower nearly 6 million young people each year to become confident leaders who are ready for life and work. As the nation’s largest youth development organization, we prepare young people to be Beyond Ready through hands-on learning experiences in STEM, Agriculture, Healthy Living, and Civic Engagement.

As the Government Relations Specialist, you will play a vital role in advancing 4-H's government relations strategy by cultivating strategic partnerships, supporting legislative engagement, and amplifying youth voice at the local, state, and federal levels. You will lead stakeholder engagement efforts, coordinate high-impact events such as Citizenship Washington Focus Hill Day and Congressional 4-H Week, conduct policy and stakeholder research, and develop communications that strengthen relationships with elected officials, Congressional staff, and 4-H alumni. From managing projects and preparing legislative briefings to creating meaningful opportunities for young people to engage with policymakers, you will help ensure our advocacy efforts are organized, responsive, and impactful while supporting the continued growth and influence of the 4-H movement.

Join us in helping shape a future where young people have a seat at the table and their voices help influence policies that strengthen communities nationwide. Through your leadership in government relations, stakeholder engagement, and youth advocacy, you will help expand the reach, visibility, and impact of 4-H while inspiring the next generation of civic leaders to be Beyond Ready. #4HBeyondReady.

Mission

4-H, the nation’s largest youth development organization, grows confident young people empowered for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. In collaboration with the USDA and our network of 110 public universities, we serve every county and parish in the United States in more than 3,000 local 4-H Extension offices. Our programs have a positive impact on young people: 4-H youth are 2x more likely to excel in school, 4x more likely to contribute to their communities, 2x more likely to make healthier choices, and 2x more likely to pursue STEM education or careers.

National 4-H Council (Council), 4-H’s private sector nonprofit partner, builds public-private partnerships and provides resources and leadership development opportunities that expand the reach and impact of 4-H. With the Beyond Ready Initiative, 4-H has the potential to reach 10 million young people annually to help them lead healthy, productive, and engaged lives. Young leaders will have the experience and mentorship to succeed in an evolving workforce and thrive in their communities.

Position Summary

The Government Relations Specialist supports National 4-H Council's (Council) efforts to strengthen relationships with federal and state policymakers, Congressional 4-H alumni, and other key stakeholders. This position plays a strategic role in advancing Council's and Cooperative Extension’s (the nationwide system through which 4-H is delivered) government relations strategy by leading engagement activities, creating youth voice opportunities, providing communication, administrative, and project management support. Reporting directly to the Chief of Staff & Government Relations, the Specialist helps ensure that advocacy, partnership, and stakeholder engagement efforts are organized, responsive, and impactful while elevating the experiences and perspectives of young people involved in 4-H.

Essential Functions

Government Relations & Stakeholder Engagement

• Initiate, cultivate, and maintain relationships with government officials, Congressional staff, 4-H alumni, and other stakeholders. 
• Monitor and analyze federal and state legislative, regulatory, and policy developments affecting 4-H, Cooperative Extension, and youth development.
• Proactively maintain engagement records and contact databases, and lead research to identity 4-H alumni in public service to support strategic relationship-building and outreach efforts.
• Conduct research on sector best practices and provide recommendations to improve Government Relations and Stakeholder Relations approaches. 

Congressional & Alumni Engagement

• Planning and execution of Citizenship Washington Focus Hill Day, Congressional 4-H Week activities, and Congressional 4-H alumni engagement initiatives. 
• Develop written communications to strengthen relationships with 4-H alumni on Capitol Hill to keep them informed of ongoings and encourage participation in the 4-H program.
• Lead pre-meeting preparation (creating pre-read materials, research, and engaging stakeholders ahead of time) for congressional & alumni engagement, prioritizing requests and focusing on stakeholder project momentum, engagement and execution. 
• Maintain accurate records of stakeholder interactions and engagement history.

Youth Voice & State Engagement Support

• Develops and executes opportunities for youth to engage with policymakers and share their 4-H experiences and perspectives. 
• Develop resources and toolkits for state 4-H and Cooperative Extension partners for State Legislative Days and advocacy efforts in partnership with Extension leaders and Extension Relations Team.
• Conduct research on sector best practices to update and improve Government Relations activities. 

Project and Communications Support

• Lead operational support to the Chief of Staff & Government Relations team, including scheduling, agenda preparation, briefing materials, presentations, and stakeholder communications. 
• Develops and tracks project timelines, deliverables, and partnership activities to ensure initiatives are completed effectively and on schedule.
• Draft communications, presentation materials, and key messages for legislative briefings.
• General operational support including preparing expense reports, processing payment requests, and general reports to support Government Relations function.

Minimum Qualifications 

Required Qualifications 

• Experience planning events of large size and scope, managing projects, or timelines. 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects across various deadlines. 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Teams. 
• Experience planning and facilitating virtual meetings and trainings using Teams, Zoom, or other virtual platforms. 
• Experience managing multiple tasks, deadlines, projects, and stakeholders in a fast-paced environment. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Familiarity with legislative processes, political acumen, and government relations.
• Knowledge of the Cooperative Extension System and 4-H.
• Proficiency with CRM or stakeholder management systems.

Travel Requirements: Travel may be necessary up to 30% by air, car, and/or rail domestically. 

Salary Range Disclosure: The salary range listed reflects the national market range for this position. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including but not limited to the selected candidate's geographic location and internal equity considerations.

ADA Requirements: The physical demands described here represent those that an Associate must meet to perform the position's essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer: This position description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent. It is not designed to include or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required. An incumbent may be asked to perform other tasks as needed.