<p>Government Affairs and Community Relations Manager</p> <p>Job Code: 29316</p> <p>Position Summary</p> <p>The Government Affairs and Community Relations Manager serves as Kootenai Health's primary liaison to state, county, and municipal policymakers while strengthening trusted relationships with community business and local not-for-profit leaders. The Manager will monitor policy developments, communicate Kootenai Health's priorities, and support advocacy efforts that protect and advance the organization's mission of providing safe, high-quality, compassionate care. Serves as an advocate, brand ambassador, and organizational representative of Kootenai Health (KH) at relevant community meetings and events. In addition, serves as a principal advisor to leadership on federal and CMS policy changes and impacts.</p> <p>Responsibilities</p> <ul> <li>Builds and maintains strong, proactive relationships with Idaho state legislators, legislative staff, executive branch officials, county commissioners, city council members, mayors, and other key government partners </li><li>Serves as a consistent and trusted point of contact for policymakers, ensuring they understand Kootenai Health's role, priorities, and community impact </li><li>Plans and coordinates regular touchpoints with elected officials, including site visits, facility tours, briefings, community events, and legislative roundtables </li><li>Represents Kootenai Health at local government meetings, association meetings, regional coalitions, and civic organizations </li><li>Monitors state, county, and city legislative and regulatory activity that may impact Kootenai Health's operations, finances, and strategic priorities </li><li>Advises senior leadership on emerging policy issues, risks, and opportunities </li><li>Prepares policy summaries, briefing materials, talking points, and strategic recommendations for Kootenai Health's board and leadership team </li><li>Partners with lobbyists, the Idaho Hospital Association (IHA), and other external partners to track and report on bills, ordinances, funding proposals, and regulatory actions </li><li>Proactively researches, monitors, and studies CMS and federal/local government activities </li><li>Supports development of Kootenai Health's legislative agenda in collaboration with internal leaders and external partners to include the Northwest Hospital Alliance </li><li>Communicates Kootenai Health's policy positions to lawmakers in a clear, data-driven, and relationship-oriented manner </li><li>Coordinates grassroots or community advocacy efforts as appropriate, ensuring alignment with organizational goals </li><li>Drafts letters, testimony, and official comments on relevant legislation and regulatory proposals </li><li>In collaboration with the KH Foundation and Marketing team, leads and coordinates KH's presence and sponsorship at community events, participating as needed or required </li><li>Works to increase positive awareness of KH's services, enhance KH's reputation with key audiences, and foster a feeling of respect and trust for KH </li><li>Plans and participates in events, conferences, and meetings that enhance KH's visibility and influence among policymakers and industry leaders </li><li>Ability to travel throughout Idaho, primarily in Kootenai County and Boise area, with travel reimbursement in alignment with current KH policy </li><li>Responsible for managing work in a fluid and at times ambiguous environment </li><li>Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals </li><li>Regular and predictable attendance is an essential job function </li><li>Performs other related duties as assigned </li><li>Competent to meet age-specific needs of the unit assigned </li></ul> <p>Requirements and Minimum Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in public affairs, public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, or a related discipline required </li><li>Minimum 5 years' work experience in public affairs, public relations, or a related field </li><li>Experience working in the healthcare industry preferred </li><li>Must have valid driver's license with proof of insurance </li><li>Excellent written and oral communications, including public speaking </li><li>Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with teams at all levels of the organization </li><li>Proficient in Microsoft programs such as Word, PowerPoint, Office and Excel </li><li>Demonstrated leadership, program management, and critical thinking </li><li>Demonstrated skills in working collaboratively, courteously and tactfully with difficult situations and/or people to identify issues and solve problems </li></ul> <p>Working Conditions</p> <ul> <li>Must be able to lift and move up to 10lbs </li><li>Must be able to maintain a standing and/or sitting position </li><li>Travel required on a regular basis to assigned work sites </li><li>Typical equipment used in an office job </li><li>Repetitive movements </li></ul> <p>About Kootenai Health:</p> <p>Kootenai Health is a highly esteemed healthcare organization serving patients throughout northern Idaho and the Inland Northwest. We have been recognized with many accolades and distinctions, including being a Gallup Great Workplace, No. 1 Best Place to Work in Large Healthcare Organizations, and Magnet Status for Nursing Excellence. We pride ourselves on our outstanding reputation as an employer and a healthcare provider.</p> <p>As your next employer, we are excited to offer you:</p> <ul> <li>Kootenai Health offers comprehensive medical plan options, including options for fully paid employer premiums for our full-time employees. For part-time employees, we offer the same plan options with affordable part-time premiums. In addition to medical insurance, we offer many voluntary benefits ranging from dental and vision to life and pet insurance. Kootenai Health also offers well-being resources and telemedicine service options to all employees, regardless of benefit eligibility. Benefits begin on the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment. </li><li>Kootenai Health's tuition assistance program is available after 90 days. If you want to further your education, we'll help you pay for it </li><li>Kootenai Health sponsors retirement plans for employees that enable you to save money on a pre-tax and Roth after tax basis for your retirement. Kootenai Health will match your contributions based on years of service ranging from 3-6 percent. </li><li>An award-winning and incentive-driven wellness program. Including a MyHealth corporate team, onsite financial seminars, and coaching </li><li>Robust and interactive employee referral program </li><li>Competitive salaries with night, weekend, and PRN shift differentials </li><li>Employees receive discounts at The Wellness Bar, PEAK Fitness, and more! </li><li>And much more </li></ul> <p>Kootenai Health provides exceptional support for extraordinary careers. If you want to work on a high-quality, person-centered healthcare team, we can't wait to meet you!</p> <p>Apply today! Please contact Lindsay Buchanan at [email protected] or the HR Front Desk at 208-625-4620 or email [email protected]? with any questions.</p> <p>Kootenai Health complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex. Kootenai Health does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or sex.</p>