Director, Government Affairs and Stakeholder Engagement, PSERS

Are you seeking a meaningful and rewarding position focused on leading an organization in Government Affairs and communications? Do you want to use your knowledge and expertise to provide guidance and make an impact on stakeholder engagement? If so, look no further! The Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS) needs a self-motivated, collaborative professional to provide direction to the PSERS communications office and advise the PSERS' executive team and PSERS' Board of Trustees on communications and legislative strategies. 
 
The Pennsylvania Public School Employees' Retirement System (PSERS, www.psers.pa.gov), is an agency in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that administers the pension plan for Pennsylvania's public school employees. The mission of PSERS is to maintain a financially sound System that supports over a half million members with a current pension fund of approximately $84 billion. This position will play a contributing part in ensuring PSERS fulfills its mission and values.

PSERS is located in Harrisburg, PA, a mid-size city situated along the Susquehanna River. The Harrisburg area is affordable and near many attractions including Hershey, and it is only two hours from major cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C. 

This role is a direct report to the Executive Director of PSERS. This position will play an integral role in providing strategic guidance and oversight of all PSERS communications, governmental affairs, and associated legislation regarding various agency related matters. In this capacity, the position supervises a small staff of professionals and works closely with many internal and external groups including, but not limited to the PA General Assembly, the Governor's Office; PSERS' executive staff; and PSERS' Board of Trustees. A significant part of this work includes managing communications related to the PSERS' multi-billion-dollar investment portfolio.
 
A successful candidate will be a highly competent, detail-oriented individual with experience or the aptitude to conduct the following core functions:

• Work with a PSERS Board of Trustees
• Support agency leadership
• Demonstrate excellence in written and oral communications
• Evaluate proposed legislation, policy, and communications
• Supervise a small staff of communications and legislative professionals
   

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are negotiable, Monday - Friday
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time. This position is hybrid telework eligible, dependent on operational and executive leadership requirements. The general expectation for this role will be to report to the office in Harrisburg two to three days a week. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

• One year in any of the following jobs: Communications Director 3, Legislative Liaison 3, or Executive Policy Manager 1; or
• Seven years of professional experience in public relations including three years in a responsible administrative or supervisory capacity; and a bachelor's degree with major course work in journalism, communications, English, or a closely related field; or 
• Six years of broad professional and varied governmental experience which included at least four years of work in legislative or policy analysis/planning and three years in a responsible administrative or supervisory capacity; and a bachelor's degree; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Additional Requirements:

• Two years or more of professional experience in government affairs and the analysis of legislation
• Two years or more in a responsible administrative or supervisor capacity
• Two years or more of working directly with a Board of Trustees or a Commission

Legal Requirements: 

• A conditional offer of employment will require submission of criminal history reports. See hiring agency contact information. 

How to Apply:

• Your application must include a cover letter, resume, and writing sample.
• You must attach a cover letter and resume to your application for review by the hiring manager.  However, the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. 
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.  
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.