Government Affairs Counsel

Description

We are hiring a Government Affairs Counsel to join senior leadership and serve as the organization's primary voice in Salem, Washington, and beyond. You'll own legislative strategy, drive coalition engagement, and make sure low-income families have a seat at every table that shapes their lives. Apply today and join one of Oregon’s 100 Best Nonprofits!

Location: Redmond

Compensation: $50.00/hour- Exempt (+ 0.50 for Bilingual Spanish)  

Hours: Regular full-time, 40 hours/week

Benefits: 100% premium paid Medical, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance, Agency paid Retirement plan (up to 6%), almost 2 weeks of vacation time accrued in your first year, plus 14 paid Holidays annually, and separate sick leave accrual

Deadline: Initial review begins June 28, 2026. Open until filled.

NeighborImpact Overview

At NeighborImpact, we change lives by helping Central Oregon families access skills for success, family services, financial assistance, food, housing, weatherization and energy assistance, and more. Our values are Respect, Compassion, Collaboration, Accountability, Integrity, Excellence, Responsiveness, and Oriented towards positive change. 

Overview of Key Duties and Responsibilities:

NeighborImpact seeks a Government Affairs Counsel to serve on its senior leadership team and lead the organization's engagement with policymakers at every level of government. This is a rare opportunity for an experienced government relations professional — or a former elected or appointed official — to bring their relationships, expertise, and credibility to one of Oregon's most consequential community-facing organizations. With an annual operating budget exceeding $47 million and programs spanning food access, early childhood education, housing, energy assistance  and economic opportunity, NeighborImpact touches the lives of a quarter of Central Oregon residents every year. The Government Affairs Counsel will shape how that work is seen, funded, and protected in Salem and Washington — and will help ensure that the people NeighborImpact serves have a voice at every table that matters. If you have built the relationships, done the work, and are ready to put both in service of something larger than any single campaign or session, we want to hear from you.

Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, public administration, political science, law, communications, or a related field required.
• Demonstrated history of progressively responsible experience in government relations, legislative affairs, public policy advocacy, or a closely related field required.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently, including during legislative sessions required 
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 required 
• Familiarity with data management platforms and reporting tools required.
• Required prior to date of hire and throughout employment:

1. Valid driver’s license
2. Proof of current auto insurance
3. Access to reliable personal transportation
4. Satisfactory criminal background check
5. Satisfactory motor vehicle records check

Preferred

• Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, political science, law, communications, or a related field preferred 
• Multiple demonstrated existing relationships with Oregon’s legislative or congressional delegation and local elected officials preferred.
• Prior service in government as an elected official or appointed senior official is preferred.
• Ability to speak Spanish preferred.