Salary: $76,232.33 - $113,167.37 Annually
Location : Goodyear, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: FY
Division: CM-City Manager's Office
Department: City Manager
Opening Date: 08/18/2025
Closing Date: 9/2/2025 5:00 PM Arizona
FLSA: Exempt
Job Description Summary This position provides intergovernmental relations liaison services in coordination with the Chief Government Affairs Officer and conducts research and reviews of proposed legislation and regional activities. Represents the city's interest with various government agencies and officials. Represents the city with a variety of external governmental agencies; multi-purpose position requiring ability to engage in other projects as needed.
The ideal candidate for this position will have at least three years of legislative experience, a comprehensive understanding of city and/or county government, and a degree in Communications, Political Science, or Public Policy, or related field.
At the City of Goodyear, you will be a part of an organization that values its employees as its greatest asset. You will become part of a dedicated team of professionals that are committed to build and maintain a highly engaged workforce. You will be challenged to learn and grow in an environment that values employee development and career-building. You will thrive in a culture of innovation. We believe that successful employees are those that possess these six core values:
Adaptability - Integrity - Initiative - Empathy - Optimism - Innovation Only a limited number of the most qualified applicants meeting the City's requirements will be invited for an interview. The examination process for this position will consist of a panel interview and written exercise.
All communication regarding application status and interview notifications will be sent via email- please monitor your junk/spam email for communication as it will come from a system generated source. Essential Functions - Supports the Chief Government Affairs Officer by monitoring legislation, managing assignments, and representing the City at the Legislature, regional agencies, and Luke Air Force Base.
- Provides legislative support. Monitors and tracks legislative policy; solicits feedback from internal department directors and City staff; provides feedback / input to League of Arizona Cities and Towns; develops Council PowerPoint presentations for the City Manager's Office.
- Reviews and analyzes Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), Regional Public Transportation Agency (RPTA) agendas and policy documents; provides leadership and Council monthly briefings on all external agency related meetings; attends all regional functions, with or on behalf of city leadership; attends annual conferences with Council; attends other out-of-state functions related to regional agencies.
- Serves as transportation liaison for city/regional related projects that may have political element; coordinates and facilitates meetings with external agencies, such as Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT); participates in the City's transportation cross-functional meeting to exchange information; collaborates and coordinates transportation activities.
- Builds political support for regional decisions and key officer positions within various regional bodies; networks, builds and develops professional relationships with intergovernmental affairs representatives from other cities throughout the region; develops regional strategies as they pertain to MAG and RPTA; provides additional staff support for city leaders when they hold officer positions; serves as a coordinator for Grand Avenue Coalition meetings, including meeting logistics, invite list, agenda, and talking points for elected officials and management.
Requirements - Formal Education/Knowledge: Work requires broad knowledge in a general professional or technical field. Knowledge is normally acquired through four years of college resulting in a Bachelor's degree or equivalent.
- Experience: Minimum three to five years of experience in a related field.
- Certifications and Other Requirements: Valid Driver's License, registration with the Secretary of State's Office.
- Reading: Work requires the ability to read general correspondence; state and federal legislation, policy implications, and analyses at a college level.
- Math: Work requires the ability to perform general math calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
- Writing: Work requires the ability to write general correspondence, memorandums, reports, and letters at a college level.
- Managerial: Has no responsibility for the direction or supervision of others but may provide advice/direction to an employee with less experience /skill or tenure.
- Budget Responsibility : Moderate - Position has limited fiscal responsibility. Supports the preparation of budget documents; may do research to justify data used in documents for a unit or division of a department. May recommend budget allocations. Often compiles data and/or enters or oversees data entry. May have responsibility for monitoring budget expenditures (typically non-discretionary expenditures).
- Policy/Decision Making: Moderate - The employee normally performs the job by following established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is a choice of the appropriate procedure or policy to apply to duties. More complex work as well as decisions with more significant impacts are typically reviewed prior to being finalized.
- Technical Skills: Comprehensive Application - Work requires a comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the work environment of the organization.
- Interpersonal/Human Relations Skills: High - In addition to the sharing of information, interactions at this level may also include providing advice to others outside direct reporting relationships on specific problems or general policies/procedures. In many of the interactions, contacts may require the consideration of different points of view to reach agreement. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas.
12 Month Objectives Government Relations Coordinator First Year Objectives The following objectives will be completed in the first 90 days: 1. Meet with Chief Government Affairs Officer regularly to develop a clear understanding of expectations of the position.
2. Make introductions with the Mayor and each Councilmember to understand each of their goals, needs, and issues of importance.
3. Meet with each Deputy City Manager and Department Director to develop a clear understanding of their job duties and responsibilities and any issues of significance facing the City.
4. Develop an understanding of the city's organizational structure, including the function and responsibility of each City department.
5. Identify City departments that will assist with researching, analyzing and addressing key policy issues.
6. Become acquainted with and knowledgeable about all key City issues that relate to IGA.
7. Update required AZ Secretary of State lobbying forms.
8. Attend Goodyear employee orientation, complete benefits enrollment, and complete all required training.
9. Schedule introductory meetings with the following agencies and representatives:
- Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG); schedule a meeting with staff to develop a better understanding of the structure, role, and committee process of MAG.
- Valley Metro and city staff; to understand existing Goodyear transit routes.
- Each Arizona State Legislator representative for Goodyear; generate a dialogue about key policy issues and build upon relationships.
- Arizona League of Cities and Towns; develop an understanding of the organization's role and interaction with legislature.
- Local US Congressional and Senate staff; identify any federal issues that could have a significant impact on municipal operations.
10. Work with both Valley Metro and MAG staff to obtain an understanding of future transit and transportation plans in both Goodyear and the region, and the process for planning and funding future transportation and transit projects.
11. Attend meetings and develop an understanding of key regional groups and organizations, including League of Arizona Cities and Towns, West Valley Partners, Luke West Valley Council, AMWUA, West Valley Mayors and Managers, WESTMARC, Valley Metro, MAG committee meetings, etc.
The following objectives will be completed in the first year: - Attend meetings as required.
2. Provide support in achieving annual goals and objectives established by Council for City Manager.
3. Assist in the development and implementation of City's legislative agenda.
4. Complete projects as assigned.
5. Work with management & staff to coordinate future infrastructure planning to the federal funding process through MAG and upcoming Congressional efforts.
6. Continue to strengthen relationships with the key stakeholders and staff members who influence local, regional, statewide, and national policy.
7. Facilitate a meeting with Goodyear legislative district representatives, Council, and Management.
8. Participate in ACMA and ICMA events/conferences as the schedule and budgets allow.
The City of Goodyear offers a highly competitive benefits package including:
- Vacation Leave: 14 days per year, increasing with longevity. Goodyear offers an enhanced vacation benefit of recognizing total years of service under all Arizona public retirement systems for accruing vacation.
- Sick Leave: 12 days per year
- Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year, including one floating holiday the first full pay period of January
- Flexible Holiday: 24 hours per calendar year (prorated based on hire date)
- Health Insurance: Three health plans available to select from at a group rate
- Dental Insurance: Two dental plans available to select from at a group rate
- Vision Insurance: Available at a group rate
- Flexible Spending Accounts: Health Care and Dependent Care accounts available
- Short Term Disability Insurance: City-paid coverage
- Cancer Benefit: City-paid coverage
- Life Insurance: City-paid insurance valued at twice the annual salary ($400,000 maximum); additional life insurance for self and/or dependent is available at employee's cost
- Longevity pay beginning at year six
- Tuition Assistance: $5,250 per calendar year
- Employee Assistance Program
- Onsite wellness center/clinic
- Access to the Goodyear Recreation Center
- Robust employee well-being program
- Free identify theft monitoring and protection with Aura
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan: 2% city match (employee contributes 1%)
- Retirement Health Savings: $22.50 city contribution (employee contributes $12.50 per pay period)
- Retirement: Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Defined Benefit plan with mandatory city and employee contributions currently at 12.00%. Plan includes Long Term Disability Benefit.
01
Please indicate your highest level of education completed.
- High School Diploma or GED
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree or higher
02
If you indicated a Bachelor's degree or higher, is your degree in Communications, Political Science, Public Policy, or a related field?
03
Please indicate your years of experience working in a related field:
- Under 1 year
- 1-2 years
- 3-4 years
- 5 years or more
04
Please indicate your years of legislative experience:
- No experience
- 0-1 years
- 1-2 years
- 3 years or more
05
Please indicate your experience with the State Legislature?
06
Share your top three challenges you see facing cities and towns at the legislature.
07
Do you have experience with MAG?
08
What is one of the top issues facing the Maricopa County region in your opinion?
Required Question
