RRC - Director of Legislative Affairs

Job Description:

RRC - Director of Legislative Affairs

Description

Agency Information

The Railroad Commission of Texas is a state agency with primary regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry; pipeline transport and pipeline safety; natural gas utilities; the LP-gas industry; and surface mining operations. You can find more details about us on the Railroad Commission of Texas' website here https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/.

To support our mission to serve Texas, we need great people to join our team. We provide a great working environment along with outstanding benefits, including:

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick time, and at least 12 paid holidays per year
• Telework options for eligible positions
• Flexible work schedules
• Retirement pension with a 150% agency match - you can watch this YouTube video that describes this amazing benefit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJI6M7g73-w
• 401(k), 457(b) and Roth
• Health premiums 100% paid for full-time employees
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Wellness and Exercise Leave
• Career development programs/opportunities for advancement

For a complete list of our total compensation package, please visit our website at https://www.rrc.texas.gov/about-us/jobs/. To view benefits available to all State of Texas employees, visit the Employee Retirement Systems website at https://ers.texas.gov/benefits-at-a-glance.

Job Description

The Director of Legislative Affairs performs legislative, policy, and consultative work in support of the Commissioner's legislative priorities and policy initiatives. This position serves as the primary liaison between the Commissioner's Office and members of the Texas Legislature, legislative staff, governmental entities, stakeholders, and constituents. The Director of Legislative Affairs provides research and strategic support regarding legislative matters affecting the Commissioner's priorities.

This position works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

This position is based in Austin, Texas, and may require some travel.

Essential Job Duties

• Supports the Commissioner in advancing legislative priorities and policy initiatives.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with members of the Texas Legislature, legislative staff, state agencies, industry representatives, and other stakeholders.
• Monitors, researches, and analyzes legislation, legislative hearings, and policy developments impacting the Railroad Commission and the Commissioner's areas of interest.
• Prepares legislative summaries, briefing materials, talking points, correspondence, and background materials for the Commissioner.
• Coordinates meetings, legislative visits, and communications between the Commissioner's Office and elected officials, governmental entities, stakeholders, and constituents.
• Assists the Commissioner in preparing for legislative committee appearances, hearings, and public meetings.
• Assists with constituent concerns related to the agency's regulatory responsibilities.
• Tracks legislative deadlines, committee activity, and policy issues during and between legislative sessions.
• Assists with research and development of proposed legislation, amendments, and policy recommendations.
• Represents the Commissioner's Office at meetings, hearings, conferences, and stakeholder events as assigned.
• Maintains awareness of energy, environmental, and regulatory issues impacting the Commission.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Note: This position requires travel up to 25% of the time.

For Military Crosswalk information, please visit:
https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Political Science, Public Administration, Government, Communications, or another field relevant to the assignment.
• Three (3) years of experience working with the Texas Legislature, legislative offices, state government, public policy organizations, political campaigns, or related governmental affairs roles.
• Experience and education may substitute for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing relationships with legislators, legislative staff, governmental organizations, or stakeholder groups.
• Experience drafting legislative correspondence, policy analyses, briefing materials, or talking points.
• Familiarity with the Texas legislative process, state budget process, and committee procedures.
• Knowledge of energy, environmental, natural resource, or regulatory policy issues.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Knowledge of accepted business practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable rules, regulations, and policies, including but not limited to the Texas Open Meetings Act.
• Knowledge of the Texas legislative process and state government operations.
• Knowledge of legislative research, policy analysis, and governmental affairs practices.
• Skill in prioritizing a wide range of duties and adapting appropriately as priorities change.
• Skills in analyzing and organizing information and solving problems.
• Skill in official business correspondence.
• Skill in the use and maintenance of standard office equipment, software, and communication tools.
• Skill in written and verbal communication appropriate for interacting with Government employees and officials.
• Ability to analyze legislation and communicate the potential impact of policy proposals.
• Ability to gather, organize, and present information clearly and accurately.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with elected officials, legislative staff, agency personnel, stakeholders, and constituents.

Additional Information

Work Hours: Standard office hours for Commission employees are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our agency offers alternative schedules for employees, provided they do not adversely affect operations or service levels and standard hours of operation are maintained. The Commission may also offer telework in accordance with the agency's approved Telework Plan. Alternate work schedules may be discussed with the hiring manager during the interview process.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or log in: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

Remarks:

• There is one available position.
• Official transcripts, DD214 or DD1300, copies of license/certifications, or other minimum requirement validations will be requested at the time of the job offer.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
• Criminal background checks will be conducted on all final candidates. An applicant who has been convicted of a criminal offense relevant to the position may be disqualified from employment.

THE RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS ONLY ACCEPTS ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS POSTING.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted. Notifications to applicants are sent electronically to the email address you provide.

The Railroad Commission of Texas is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age
or disability in employment or in the provision of services.
The Railroad Commission of Texas is a tobacco-free workplace.

Closing Date/Time: 2026-07-15

Salary:

$6250.00 - 7083.34 Monthly