Reports to: Policy and Stakeholder Manager
Salary: $50K-$60K
About the Role We are looking for a highly organized, research-minded Government Relations Coordinator to join our team. This is a critical support role designed for a proactive implementer, someone who can take direction from leadership and committees and “run with it” to produce high-quality drafts, organized data, and seamless logistics. Looking for a detailed, driven individual with a can-do attitude and a willingness to learn. You will spend your time on project-driven work (research, policy drafting, and member outreach) and essential administrative and logistical support to advance the Association’s Government engagement. You are the “recording secretary” for select committees and the “information miner” for our policy initiatives.
Key Responsibilities
- Policy Development Support
- Discovery & Research: Conduct deep-dive internet research on government legislation, environmental regulations, and industry trends (Nursery, Landscape, Garden Centres). Monitor parliamentary/legislative proceedings, prepare for lobby days, and track legislation. Focused messaging around supporting climate adaptation.
- Drafting & Synthesis: Translate complex government papers and committee notes into clear, concise Executive Summaries and policy drafts for our members and Board.
- Member Outreach: Assist in coordinating member surveys and data collection to support our advocacy efforts.
- Legislative Tracking: Develop and maintain our legislative tracking system to ensure the association is ahead of pending regulatory changes. 2. Administrative & Committee Operations
- Committee Scribe: Attend committee meetings, capture accurate minutes on actions and proactively track action items through to completion.
- Logistics Management: Work with management to coordinate travel accommodations and itineraries for leadership and Board members as needed, related to projects.
- Tech Stewardship: Manage files and documentation within Google Docs; ensure our member database remains accurate and organized. Who You Are
- A Savvy Researcher: You know how to navigate government portals and find the “needle in the haystack” of regulatory information.
- A Strong Writer: You can take a rough idea or a technical topic and polish it into a professional, easy-to-read document.
- A Milestone Communicator: You are comfortable working independently but know exactly when to check in for feedback to ensure alignment with the manager’s vision. Provide the manager with updates on actions to ensure knowledge sharing.
- Detail-Obsessed: You take pride in a perfectly formatted Excel sheet and a well-written brief.
- Adaptable: You are a self-starter motivated to work in the non-profit sector, ready to thrive in a fast-paced, project-driven environment where priorities and projects shift quickly and frequently.
Qualifications:
- Experience: 2+ years in a coordinator, project assistant, or administrative role (experience in a non-profit, trade association, or government environment is a major asset).
- Tech Skills: Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace (Docs/Sheets), Microsoft Office (Outlook/Excel), and web-based research tools.
- Subject Matter: Knowledge of environmental issues or government structures is highly valued. Industry knowledge of the Nursery/Landscape sector is a bonus, but not required.
- Education: Degree or Diploma in Public Policy, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field.