Governmental Affairs Associate

Description About MABE: Founded in 1957, the Maryland Association of Boards of Education is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to serving and supporting boards of education in Maryland. MABE is a leading advocate for public education in the state and a champion for excellence in public education. All 24 Maryland boards of education are members of MABE. Position Overview MABE is seeking a Governmental Affairs Associate. This position is a key role on the association team, advancing educational excellence and supporting Maryland’s local boards of education through state and federal advocacy. The Associate is responsible for managing MABE’s legislative and policy agenda, staffing core advocacy committees, and ensuring that the collective voice of Maryland’s 24 boards of education is represented before policymakers. The role emphasizes collaboration and ownership of specific workstreams — legislative tracking, drafting and providing testimony, staffing committees, and supporting law and policy projects. Duties & Responsibilities Legislative Strategy & Advocacy

• Develop, implement, and advance MABE’s legislative and policy agenda in collaboration with members and leadership.
• Collaborate closely with the Director of Legal & Policy Services on legislative and policy priorities, with ownership of designated advocacy workstreams.
• Stay current on legislative and regulatory developments in education at both the state and federal levels and advise MABE leadership and members accordingly.
• Track and analyze state and federal legislation and regulations; prepare summaries, reports, and recommendations.
• Draft, edit, and deliver testimony, position statements, and policy briefs.
• Represent MABE in meetings, hearings, and coalitions, with scope of independence scaled to experience level.
• Build and maintain bipartisan relationships with legislators, agency officials, and partner organizations.

Committee Leadership

• Legislative – Staff and support the committee that develops MABE’s annual legislative priorities and drives advocacy during session.
• Resolutions – Staff the committee responsible for reviewing, updating, and maintaining current and effective resolutions that guide MABE’s advocacy positions.
• Federal Advocacy – Staff the committee responsible for coordinating MABE’s outreach and advocacy efforts to federal legislators and agencies.

Collaboration Across MABE

• Work closely with Association colleagues to support Legal & Policy Services, Professional Development, Member Services, and Communications to ensure alignment of services to member needs.
• Provide regular legislative updates, training, and technical assistance to board members, peer groups, and member staff.
• Plan and facilitate advocacy events, including the Legislative Reception and legislative briefings.
• Co-Author and Co-Edit the Maryland School Law Deskbook in collaboration with the Director of Legal & Policy Services.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) or advanced degree in Public Policy, Political Science, Education Policy, or related field preferred.
• 3–6 years of experience in legislative affairs, government relations, or policy advocacy (Maryland legislative experience preferred).
• Strong writing, research, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex legal and policy issues for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated knowledge of education law, public school systems, and legislative processes, or the ability to quickly develop expertise in these areas.
• Understanding of how state and federal legislative and regulatory issues impact K–12 education governance and operations.
• Demonstrated ability to be collaborative, flexible, and open to learning in a dynamic policy environment.

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