Legislative Liaison

Engineering a world of possibilities

Mines is pleased to announce the creation and opening of a new position in the President's Office.

The Legislative Liaison serves as the university’s primary staff lead for state government relations, coordinating and managing legislative engagement, and supporting the execution of the institution’s state advocacy and outreach strategy. While state relations are the primary focus, the position supports and advances the Office of Public Affairs and External Relations’ government and community engagement portfolio, including relationship building with community organizations and cross cutting government relations initiatives.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Public Affairs and External Relations, this position plays a critical operational role during the Colorado legislative session by monitoring legislation, coordinating institutional responses, supporting testimony, and advancing policy and funding priorities aligned with the university’s mission.

The position works with university leadership, faculty, staff, and external partners to ensure a coordinated local, state, and federal legislative and outreach strategy. The role collaborates with communications colleagues to provide support for advocacy related press, outreach, and social media tied to governmental relations efforts.

This role requires regular and frequent presence on campus in Golden, Colorado.

Key Responsibilities

State Legislative Engagement & Policy Support (Primary Focus)

• Manage and coordinate, in partnership with external government affairs partners, engagement with the Colorado General Assembly and relevant executive‑branch agencies during the legislative session.
• Monitor, track, analyze, and summarize state legislation, budget actions, regulatory developments, and policy proposals affecting the university.
• Coordinate institutional testimony, witness preparation, bill support or opposition materials, and legislative meetings.
• Prepare and distribute briefing materials, bill analyses, talking points, memos, and written updates for senior leadership and campus stakeholders.
• Provide policy research and operational support to inform the Executive Director’s review and institutional decision‑making regarding positions on state legislation, policy proposals, and funding priorities.

Advocacy & Strategy

• In collaboration with internal and government affairs partners, support the development and implementation of the university’s annual state legislative strategy in alignment with institutional goals.
• Advance awareness of the university’s research strengths, academic programs, workforce development capacity, and innovation ecosystem.
• Advocate for policy and investment in higher education, science, engineering, innovation, training, and infrastructure aligned with institutional priorities.
• Track legislative outcomes and assess impacts, in coordination with government affairs partners, to help inform future advocacy strategies.

Coordination Across Local, State, and Federal Engagement

• Work closely with the Executive Director and campus partners to ensure alignment of local, state, and federal legislative priorities, stakeholder engagement, and advocacy across jurisdictions.
• Share legislative intelligence, policy analysis, and engagement outcomes across the university to support institutional planning and decision‑making.
• Assist with federal relations activities as needed, including policy tracking, preparation of briefing materials, coordination of meetings or visits, and issue research.

Relationship Management

• Build and maintain productive working relationships with state legislators, legislative staff, executive‑branch officials, and policy advisors.
• Support engagement with local and regional officials and community‑based organizations in coordination with the Office of Public Affairs & External Relations.
• Represent the university in meetings, briefings, hearings, coalitions, and external forums.
• Maintain situational awareness of political, policy, and budgetary dynamics to anticipate emerging issues and opportunities.

Partnership Development & External Engagement

• Position the university as a trusted and preferred partner for state and regional government entities.
• Support engagement with industry partners, higher‑education associations, advocacy coalitions, and community organizations aligned with institutional goals.
• Work in coordination with the Mines Foundation to help identify and engage alumni, industry leaders, and community partners who can support advocacy priorities.

Campus Collaboration & Engagement

• Partner across campus—including academic leadership, faculty experts, research administration, communications staff, and the Mines Foundation—to ensure coordinated engagement and consistent messaging.
• Plan and support legislative briefings, campus visits, tours, recognition events, and programs at the State Capitol and on campus.
• Engage faculty, staff, and students to inform, and when appropriate, participate in advocacy and governmental relations efforts.
• Maintain a visible and accessible campus presence to support relationship‑building and information sharing.

Communications Support

• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to support advocacy‑related outreach and media coordination.
• Assist with drafting or reviewing content for social media, web updates, press materials, and digital communications related to public policy, government, and external engagement.
• Help ensure advocacy messaging is timely, accurate, and aligned with institutional priorities and approved positions.

Operational & Administrative Support

• Draft correspondence, reports, fact sheets, presentations, and background materials for policymakers and external stakeholders.
• Track activities, outputs, and outcomes related to legislative engagement and advocacy initiatives.
• Contribute to cross‑office initiatives and special projects within the Office of Public Affairs and External Relations as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in political science, public policy, public administration, communications, or a related field.
• 3 or more years of experience in legislative affairs, government relations, public policy, public relations, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of legislative and governmental processes; state government experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and operate effectively in a dynamic political environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in State-level science, innovation, higher education, or research‑focused policy environments.
• Experience planning and supporting advocacy events, legislative briefings, or stakeholder engagement programs.
• Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, or a related field.

Core Competencies

• Policy analysis and strategic thinking
• Relationship‑centered advocacy
• Cross‑functional collaboration
• Political acumen and sound judgment
• Initiative, accountability, and follow‑through
• Adaptability in evolving policy and political environments

Salary and Benefits

$86,500 - $96,100 annual salary

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)

• Upload a resume or CV
• Upload a cover letter

Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs.

References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.

Application review will begin June 15, 2026. This posting will close on June 14, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. and applications may not be accepted after that date.

Successful Completion of a Background Investigation is Required for this Position.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.

Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.

And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting