Intergovernmental Relations Officer

City of Eugene, OR

$113K — $153K *
Education, Government & Non-Profit
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-7 years experience in public administration or governmental relations
  • At least 2 years in a supervisory or program management role
  • Bachelor's degree in public administration, political science, or related field required; master's preferred
  • Strong understanding of intergovernmental relations and legislative processes
  • Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with various stakeholders

Responsibilities

  • Directs intergovernmental relations activities and legislative priorities
  • Develops and implements strategic goals for governmental relations
  • Represents the City in meetings with government officials
  • Analyzes legislative impacts on City operations and recommends actions
  • Facilitates work with City Council’s Intergovernmental Relations Committee
  • Oversees budget preparation for intergovernmental projects
  • Supervises professional staff involved in governmental relations

Benefits

  • Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
  • Retirement plans with employer contributions
  • Generous leave policies including vacation and sick leave
  • Professional development opportunities
  • Flexible work schedule options
  • Supportive work environment promoting equity and inclusion
Full Job Description
Salary : $113,796.80 - $153,608.00 Annually
Location : Eugene, OR
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: 04477
Department: Central Services Department
Division: City Manager's Office
Opening Date: 07/10/2026
Closing Date: Continuous

General Statement of Duties
THIS POSITION IS OPEN UNTIL FILLED

Applications will be reviewed weekly.

The first review of applications will be July 27, 2026.

Accepting Online Applications only through the City of Eugene Website
The Intergovernmental Relations (IGR) Manager plans, directs, and executes intergovernmental relations activities and operations for the City of Eugene (City), including state and federal lobbying. Serves as principal lobbyist for the City at the state legislature, representing council-approved positions and coordinating all City responses and activities at state legislature. Leads the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies and priorities for legislative and policy actions. Builds strong relationships internally and externally. Provides guidance to the City as well as local agencies regarding intergovernmental issues, facilitates regional intergovernmental relations, and provides highly responsible and complex support to City leadership, Mayor, City Council, and outside agencies.

This position receives direction from the City Manager's Office Chief of Staff. May exercise direct supervision over professional employees and administrative staff.
Classification:

Salary: $54.71 - $73.85 hourly / $113,796.80 - $153,608.00 annually

The City of Eugene determines starting pay within the range based on relevant education and experience as provided by the applicant in their application materials. This process is consistent with the Oregon Equal Pay Act (OEPA).

Department, Division: Central Cervices, City Manager's Office

Position Information: Non-Represented, Exempt

Work Location: City Hall, 500 East 4th Ave. and Oregon State Capitol in Salem during legislative session

Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. with flexibility per business need

Benefits: The City of Eugene offers robust and competitive benefits. For more information, select the Benefits Tab, or view benefits summaries as well as see information about all employee benefits.

Living & Working in Eugene: Information about living in Eugene, how the City of Eugene operates, and more can be found on our website.

Examples of Duties Performed - Duties may include but are not limited to the following

  • Directs and participates in the work activities, projects, operations, and programs involving City intergovernmental relations (IGR); including state and federal lobbying efforts, government relations, and the City's legislative priorities.
  • Develops, plans, and directs the implementation of intergovernmental goals and objectives with internal and external city-wide impacts.
  • Meets with local, state, and federal government officials; represents the City's legislative needs; develops legislative agendas and manages the City's legislative policies.
  • Develops strategies and recommends short-and long-range plans regarding legislative and regional issues with City Council, lobbyists, other agencies and staff.
  • Monitors legislative activities affecting City operations and evaluates the potential impact; tracks legislation; anticipates legislative issues and identifies opportunities to develop and influence policy to best meet the interests of the City of Eugene. Recommends action on proposed and approved legislation and regulations.
  • Develops and recommends policy positions on governmental and legislative issues; researches and compiles data and presents information to City Council, City leadership, and other city staff.
  • Provides analytical and technical assistance to the Mayor, City Council, and City leadership; develops, prepares, and presents reports and surveys.
  • Facilitates and supports the work of the City Council's Intergovernmental Relations Committee.
  • Monitors, compiles, and provides technical assistance on intergovernmental agreements to which the City is a party.
  • Serves as a liaison to departments, outside agencies, committees, commissions and the public. Serves on a variety of City committee and task teams; represents the City with state and federal elected officials and regional leaders, establishing productive and positive relationships to achieve best results on public matters.
  • Actively and consistently grows and maintains partnerships across the organization and community. Coordinates activities with other departments and outside agencies and organizations.
  • Leads and/or supports large, complex projects and contentious issues, which may include presenting recommendations to City Council, City leadership and the community.
  • Participates in the development of the division's work plan; assigns work activities, monitors workflow; reviews and evaluates work products, methods and procedures.
  • Models respectful working relationships and contributes to a workplace that supports all employees; supports and models the City's commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
  • Responsible for the selection, supervision and evaluation of assigned staff or contractors; assigns work and ensures appropriate training and guidance is provided; handles sensitive personnel matters; exercises full supervision over employees and/or contractors.
  • Prepares and administers budget for IGR programs and projects; prepares cost estimates for budget recommendations; monitors and controls expenditures; prepares bid specifications for services; negotiates contracts with vendors; recommends bid awards. Supervises and/or oversees the work of outside contractors.
  • Uses a City-owned vehicle to travel to various City owned and non-City owned locations.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

To view detailed information on the duties, knowledge, and abilities that may be expected for this position, please see the classification:

Qualifications
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes with relevant transferable skills from a variety of sources and experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

When screening your application, the City will consider an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience which provides the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to meet minimum qualifications for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:
Five years of experience in public administration, legislative research and analysis, governmental relations, and/or government program management, including at least two years of supervisory or program management responsibility.

Education:
Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in public administration, business administration, political science, or a closely related field. Master's degree in Public Administration or closely related field preferred.

Background

Must pass a background check.

License or Certification:
A valid Oregon driver's license or, the ability to obtain by date of hire; must pass driving records check and, if hired, maintain a driving record that meets the City's standard.

The ideal candidate will have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Knowledge
  • Principles and practices of intergovernmental relations, public administration and legislative process.
  • Local, state, and federal government structure, functions, operations and legislative process; current social, political and economic trends and operational complexity of municipal government.
  • Regional organizations and committees and their processes, functions and structure.
  • Elected officials, appointed officials and their staff
  • City organizational structures and interrelationships including City goals and priorities, council policies, City and departmental budgets and historical context of intergovernmental partnerships at the federal, state and local level.
  • Methods, practices and restrictions related to the role of a lobbyist in the legislative process; principles of effective public relations and interrelationships with community groups and agencies, private businesses and firms, and other levels of government.
  • Principles and practices of program management, budget preparation and administration, strategic planning, and project leadership.
  • Principles and practices of supervision, training and performance evaluation
  • Possession of organizational savvy as demonstrated by development of strong relationships, successful experience maneuvering through complex situations and an awareness of City government and community culture.

Skills and Abilities
  • Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships including local, federal, and state agencies, public officials, business leaders, committee members, staff, and the general public.
  • Research, analyze and interpret complex data and information; identify solution and project consequences of proposed actions, implement recommendations and direct others involved with analysis.
  • Present complex written and oral reports involving statistical, factual, and theoretical data from multiple sources.
  • Analyze large, complex and controversial issues and assess the best course of action. Present information concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing.
  • Manage multiple assignments in different topic areas concurrently.
  • Successfully facilitate, negotiate, problem-solve, and make tough decisions on complex issues. Evaluate issues from multiple perspectives and work towards creative problem solving involving sensitive situations and issues.
  • Ability to be resourceful, reach consensus with others and exhibit a collaborative style with community members, elected and appointed officials, executive management and staff.
  • Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion; communicate effectively and demonstrate strong presentation skills.
  • Conduct long-range planning related to intergovernmental relations program activities.
  • Exercise sound management in evaluating, developing and recommending policies and procedures or methods.
  • Interpret and apply federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations and make rational decisions in accordance with established policy.
  • Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
  • Exercise considerable initiative and judgement.

Supplemental Information

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