Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs
The Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies (AMWA) is the voice of the nation’s largest publicly owned metropolitan water systems on federal water policy issues. AMWA thrives in creating a community of water sector leaders to advance policies to protect public health and economic viability via safe, affordable, and sustainable drinking water.
AMWA is seeking a Senior Manager of Regulatory Programs responsible for maintaining the organization’s relationships with U.S. EPA, other federal regulatory agencies that impact the nation’s drinking water utilities, and other stakeholder organizations. This position is part of a team that manages a portfolio of regulatory and scientific issues relevant to drinking water systems and will contribute to the development of AMWA comments in response to federal regulatory proposals under the Safe Drinking Water Act and other applicable statutes. Reporting to the Chief Advocacy Officer, this position will give strategic advice on the development of regulatory policies and will work collaboratively with AMWA’s team to support and execute AMWA’s strategic goals
Experience level and other factors will determine the final salary level, in the starting range of $90,000-$100,000. The person in this position will have work-related travel a few times per year.
Essential Job Responsibilities:
- Advocacy and Public Policy
- Represents the association in communications with appointed and career staff at federal agencies and other stakeholder organizations. Collaborates in support of shared policy objectives, builds political support for AMWA-backed initiatives, and drafts or reviews formal AMWA letters and comments as appropriate.
- Maintains a comprehensive understanding of upcoming and ongoing regulations and emerging issues, ensuring colleagues and members throughout the association are informed with analyses of the significance, relevance, and impact of these developments in a timely manner.
- In coordination with other members of the Regulatory Policy team, serves as AMWA’s staff lead for designated regulatory issue areas and proposals, including collaborating with AMWA members and staff colleagues to develop formal policy positions and drafting comments to federal agencies.
o Supports AMWA’s federal policy and regulatory agenda by
- Building and maintaining relationships with senior-level EPA staff.
- Building and maintaining relationships and coalitions with senior sector association and other organizational staff with water interests.
o Supports regulatory security policy activities and of the association in collaboration with other policy team staff.
- Monitors, tracks and analyzes proposed regulations and administrative actions, assesses the potential impact on members, and formulates appropriate responses if necessary.
- Participates in meetings with AMWA’s Regulatory Committee to develop, draft, and finalize and submit formal comments in response to rule proposals published by EPA and other federal agencies.
- Serves as AMWA’s staff liaison to the Water Sector Coordinating Council and participates in the development of recommendations to reduce or eliminate critical infrastructure security and resilience vulnerabilities in the water sector.
- Member Relations
- Keeps AMWA members apprised of latest water policy developments and AMWA activities through regular contributions to the Monday Morning Briefing and Water Utility Executive newsletters and in response to inquiries from member utilities.
- Interfaces with members and other water stakeholders on behalf of the organization at conferences, events, panels, and other thought leadership opportunities.
- Contributes to the development of programming and preparation for two annual conferences, and periodic webinars.
- Networking
- Maintains an active network of U.S. EPA officials, association members, and relevant external organizations to formally and informally discuss regulatory proposals and share AMWA member viewpoints.
- Helps to identify new methods for communicating with and engaging AMWA members as well as members of other organizations AMWA helps to support.
- Writing and Editing
- Drafts and edits articles for regular AMWA publications.
- Authors content for periodic AMWA member updates, Board meeting materials, and annual reports.
- Develops outreach to federal agencies and other relevant organizations.
- Contributes to social media content relevant to association’s regulatory and scientific research programs.
Competencies
Creativity
- Generates new ideas, supports change, provides innovative solutions, solves problems creatively.
Communication
- Understand and communicate effectively with others using a variety of contexts and formats, which include writing, speaking, reading, listening and interpersonal skills.
Fostering Teamwork
- As a team member, the ability and desire to work cooperatively with others on a team; as a team leader, the ability to demonstrate interest, skill, and success in getting groups to learn to work together.
Flexibility
- Openness to different and new ways of doing things; willingness to modify one’s preferred way of doing things.
Education and Experience:
Education:
- Bachelor of Arts or Science Degree required
Experience:
- 5-8 years of public policy experience
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Demonstrated knowledge of regulatory processes, ability to influence public policy.
- Demonstrated understanding of federal policy and regulations that affect water utilities.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently, respond in a timely manner, and meet deadlines.
- Outstanding verbal and written communications skills.
- Excellent analytical skills.
- Ability to quickly learn new issues and multitask on simultaneous work items or projects.
- Ability to establish and maintain professional and effective working relationships with association leadership and colleagues, federal officials, association members, and others is essential.
- Strong understanding of the drinking water regulatory landscape, with an ability to anticipate and monitor for upcoming rule proposals that will impact AMWA’s membership.
- Strong contacts across the water sector and government, especially among staff and officials at the U.S. EPA Office of Water. Knowledge of cybersecurity issues and policy a plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, familiarity with MacOS a plus.
- Exceptional relationship building skills.
- Strong program and project management skills and experience.
- Strong organizational skills.
- Skilled in employing both strategic and tactical processes.
Full position description will be provided upon request.
All AMWA staff are required to work in the D.C. office at least 2 days per week.
To apply:
If this position sounds like a great fit for you and you’re excited to make an immediate impact at AMWA, please send a resume and cover letter to jobopening@amwa.net and reference Senior Manager of Regulatory Affairs in the subject line.
AMWA is a 501(c)(6) organization. AMWA offers employees a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance. AMWA also offers health and dependent care flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan, paid time off and other benefits. Salary will be commensurate with skills and experience. AMWA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
