Government Relations Program Manager

Salary : $90,300.00 - $135,528.00 Annually
Location : City of Sparks, NV
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 27-14
Department: Management Services
Division: Office of the City Manager
Opening Date: 10/13/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

Job Information
About the job: Aside from working for a City team that is dedicated to their community, the position requires that the person selected work standard business hours, however, the selected person must be able to maintain flexibility to work outside normal business hours including evenings, weekends and to be available for urgent issues. The selected candidate must be able to attend legislative sessions, hearings and other meetings in-person, which may require travel offsite and to the state capital, federal agencies, or other locations.
Application Tips:

• COMPLETELY fill out and updateyour general online application before attaching it to any job posting. HR reviews information listed on the application submitted to the specific job posting. HR does NOT use personnel files in the screening process.
• Contact information: use an email address you can easily access at any time.
• The Qualifications section below is your guide to understand what the City is looking for on your application, use this to your advantage. It is up to the candidate seeking employment/promotion to include all relevant information for qualification purposes, on the application the candidate submits to be considered for the job.

• ATTACHMENTS REQUIRED: remember to attach documented proof of qualifications, at time of application, to demonstrate you meet the qualifications at time of application, before submitting your application. Attaching your education and certification requirements (see qualifications section to determine what documents are required for attachment at time of application) will allow you to continue in the recruitment process. Failure to attach these requirements will constitute disqualification.
  • Candidates who have an Bachelor' degree or higher must attach proof of degree conferred in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Business, Law, or a related field. If the required documentation is not received with the application, the candidate's application will be disqualified.
  • Candidates looking to meet the qualifications with a combination equivalency of education, training, and experience, must attach a document clearly stating how they meet the combination equivalency. If the required documentation is not received with the application, the candidate's application will be disqualified.

• DO NOT attach resumes or cover letters. The City of Sparks does not review these items with the application.

DESCRIPTION

Under general administrative direction, the Government Relations Program Manager is responsible for leading and coordinating the City's legislative, regulatory, and intergovernmental engagement at state and federal levels. The position monitors and analyzes proposed and existing legislation and regulations, develops City policy positions, builds and maintains relationships with external stakeholders, and supports economic development initiatives. The position ensures the City's interests are represented at the local, regional, state, and national levels.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This class is a program manager responsible for government relations activities.

Qualifications
Applicants must possess the following minimum qualifications to continue in the recruitment process:
Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Business, Law, or a related field AND a minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in government relations, legislative or regulatory affairs, public policy, or related field;
OR
An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Licenses and Certificates:

A valid Nevada Class C driver's license or equivalent is required at time of hire and must be maintained throughout employment.

Examples of Essential Duties

• Monitor, evaluate, and analyze proposed and existing state and federal legislation, rulemaking, and judicial decisions affecting City operations, finances, infrastructure, land use, public safety, environment, and quality of life.
• Prepare policy analyses, issue briefs, recommendations, talking points, testimony, correspondence, and other materials articulating the City's positions.
• Develop, recommend, and lead implementation of the City's legislative agenda and regulatory priorities aligned with strategic goals.
• Serve as the primary liaison with state and federal elected officials, legislative staff, regulatory agencies, neighboring jurisdictions, and regional partners.
• Represent the City in intergovernmental committees, task forces, regional coalitions, or partnerships, advocating for or coordinating on shared issues.
• Engage with community groups, business stakeholders, nonprofits, and private sector entities to build consensus, gather input, and inform City policy.
• Develop and maintain a work plan for legislative and regulatory initiatives, tracking deadlines, priorities, performance metrics, contacts, and outcomes.
• Advise executive leadership and elected officials on policy trends, risks, and opportunities; anticipate potential impacts.
• Prepare regular updates to City leadership, City Council, and other stakeholders on legislative/regulatory developments and advocacy progress.
• Proactively engage with other departments regarding legislative or regulatory issues and developments affecting their work.
• Coordinate with economic development agencies on activities, regulations, and legislation that support business attraction, retention, expansion, infrastructure, and workforce development.
• Occasionally work outside normal business hours (evenings, weekends) during legislative sessions or for urgent issues; travel to state capital, federal agencies, or other locations may be required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Legislative, statutory, and regulatory processes at state and federal levels.
• Municipal government operations, public policy, budgeting, land use, infrastructure, and environmental regulation.
• Economic development policy and funding mechanisms.
• Research, policy evaluation, and analysis techniques.

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills: ability to interpret complex legislation/regulations and anticipate outcomes and risks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication: preparing testimony, policy briefs, and public speaking.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation skills: building relationships with elected officials, other City departments, outside agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Project management: ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple initiatives independently.
• Strategic thinking: long-term planning, horizon scanning, and responding proactively to policy environments.
• Ethical conduct, discretion, integrity; ability to maintain confidentiality when necessary.
• Access to information and maintain confidentiality with sensitive and confidential information.

Physical Demands:

Work is primarily performed in an office environment and requires the ability to use standard office and computer equipment. Requires the ability to travel to and from external City sites, such as legislative and regulatory bodies and stakeholder locations, to attend frequent meetings and legislative sessions, hearings, and other meetings, which may require travel throughout the state and/or country as may be state or federally necessary.
SUPPLEMENTAL JOB INFORMATION

• This position is exempt under FLSA guidelines
• This position is at-will and exempt from the Regulations of the Civil Service Commission
• This position reports to the Assistant City Manager
• Supervision exercised: None
• Required to work standard business hours, with flexibility required for evenings, weekends or travel during legislative sessions for urgent issues.
• May be required to pass a pre-placement drug screen and background investigation

Application and Recruitment Information
Complete application information including all certifications, degrees, transcripts and work experience are required to be submitted by the applicant at time of application in order for the application to be fully reviewed. Failure to submit the required and/or requested information may result in rejection of your application.

Recruitment Communication

Human Resources will contact you at various stages of the recruitment process via email, even if you have chosen U.S. mail for prior application processes or for applications with other agencies. Please ensure your email address is up to date, accurate, and accessible by you.
Reasonable Accommodation

Human Resources will make efforts to provide reasonable accommodations to disabled applicants in the selection process. If you have special needs, please notify the Human Resources office when you turn in your application or at least three (3) business days prior to the examination/interview by calling (775) 353-2345.
Disclaimer

The City of Sparks hires and promotes applicants based on a competitive selection process, which may include any or all of the following: screening for minimum qualifications, examinations in relation to the job, interviews, or any combination which the City of Sparks may require.
The City of Sparks reserves the right to select applicants who demonstrate the best combination of qualifications for the position.
Applicants moving forward in the selection process are subject to submitting for a background check that may include review of criminal records.

Applicants with criminal records should note that a conviction will not necessarily bar the applicant from employment. When considering the applicant's background and criminal record, the length of time that has passed since the offense, the age of the applicant at the time of the offense, the severity and nature of the offense in relation to the position for which the applicant has applied, and evidence of the rehabilitation of the applicant will be considered prior to an employment decision can be made.
The City of Sparks is proud to offer a quality benefit package to its employees. The benefit package includes a variety of benefits for a diverse workforce.

Below is an overview of the City of Sparks' general benefits. The below information does not in any manner modify, alter, expand or add to the active and applicable contract or resolution.
• Nevada has no State income tax
• The City of Sparks is part of the Nevada Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). The City pays 100% of the employee PERS contribution. There is no social security deduction/participation.
• Group Health Insurance (includes medical, dental, prescription and vision). City pays 100% of the employee premium and 75% of the dependent premium
• City paid life insurance
• City paid long term disability insurance
• Twelve paid holidays
• Vacation/Annual leave - 4.6 hours accrued bi-weekly, accrual rate goes up after 5 years of service
• Sick leave - 5 hours accrued bi-weekly
• Personal leave - 40 hours allotted with the first full pay period of a Fiscal Year (in July) or at time of hire
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Workers' Compensation
• Military leave
• Family leave
• Paid Parental leave
• Longevity pay
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Deferred Compensation match up to $125 per pay period

If you have questions regarding the various benefits described, please contact Human Resources at
01

To verify your minimum qualifications, you must attach the document that verifies your level of educational and/or experience qualification. Failure to do so may result in your application being rejected. Please look at the qualifications section of the job description to determine what document you must attach to your application. If the position requires education at any level, you must attach a copy of the document that confirms your educational level (examples: Associate's Degree, Bachelor's Degree, transcripts). If the qualifications sections states: OR "an equivalent combination of related education and experience" and you believe you qualify based on a combination of education and experience, attach a document stating what the combination of education and experience you possess is. Did you attach a copy of your transcripts/degree/combo experience?

• Yes
• No

Required Question