Public & Legislative Affairs Manager

at KS Office of Early Childhood in Topeka, Kansas, United States

Job Description

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The Kansas Office of Early Childhood exists to strengthen Kansass early childhood system by improving efficiency, transparency, and safety in state programs, funding, and policy implementation. KOEC oversees over 20 early childhood care and education programs including childcare licensing and subsidy, home visiting, and grant programs funded through the Childrens Initiatives Fund. We envision an early childhood system where:

• Every child is supported and equipped with the foundations for necessary lifelong success;


• Families have access to early childhood programs and services through a coordinated, easy-to-navigate system that reduces fragmentation and administrative burden;


• Providers across the mixed-delivery system are supported, well-prepared, and have the resources necessary to deliver high-quality experiences for children; and


• Communities and businesses are strengthened through a coordinated approach that supports workforce participation and enables families to thrive. 

Following the application period, KOEC leadership will review applications and invite chosen candidates to interview. The individual selected for this position will not begin the new role until the Office is formally opened but would be expected to support the KOEC transition efforts.

About the Position

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  Who can apply: Anyone


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  Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified


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  Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-time


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  Regular/Temporary: Regular


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  Work Schedule:  Monday Friday, 8:00 am 5:00 pm


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  Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes


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  Veterans’ Preference Eligible: Yes


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  Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Compensation: 

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  Annual Salary Range: $72,000 – $75,000

*Note: This role will have a salary set by the Director of Early Childhood and be commensurable with experience.

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage


• Sick & Vacation leave


• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave


• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)


• Fitness Centers in select locations


• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information

Position Description: Public and Legislative Affairs Manager

The Public and Legislative Affairs Manager, reporting to the Deputy Director of Operation, leads and coordinates internal and external communications for the Kansas Office of Early Childhood (KOEC) and supports legislative and governmental affairs activities.

This position plays a key role in advancing the agencys priorities through strategic communications, legislative coordination, and external engagement, ensuring messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with the Directors vision and agency priorities.

Job Responsibilities:

Core Responsibilities 

• Communications, Media, and Public Affairs

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  Communications strategy and implementation: Lead and coordinate internal and external communications for KOEC, including development of communication strategies, media relations, and crisis communications, in alignment with agency priorities.


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  Media relations and messaging: Serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries, drafting and coordinating news releases, media advisories, statements, and talking points in coordination with the Director of KOEC. 


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  Digital communications: Oversee KOECs digital presence, including website and social media platforms, ensuring content is accurate, timely, and aligned with agency priorities and public engagement goals.


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  Internal coordination: Attend leadership and staff meetings to ensure communications are responsive to programmatic, operational, and policy needs across KOEC.


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  Representation and special projects: Support and represent KOEC in meetings, committees, public forums, and special projects as requested by agency leadership.

• Legislative Affairs and Government Relations

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  Legislative coordination and support: Alongside the Director, serves as the Offices primary liaison to the Kansas Legislature, the Governors Office, and officials in other state agencies and organizations.


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  Legislative tracking and analysis: Track legislation, bills, and amendments, and work with subject-matter experts to draft legislative proposals, amendments, testimony, briefs, and correspondence.


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  Legislative and executive requests: Manages requests from the Governors Office and the Kansas Legislature, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and alignment with agency priorities.


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  Legislative resource support: Serve as a resource to agency staff by helping interpret legislation and responding to inquiries from constituents and partners, in coordination with leadership.

• External Engagement & Coalition Building

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  Stakeholder and partner engagement: Leads outreach with policymakers, advocates, community organizations, and system partners to support alignment and advance early childhood priorities.


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  Engagement strategies: Develop and recommend nonpartisan engagement strategies to support approved legislation and agency initiatives at the state and local levels.


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  Message alignment: Coordinate messaging and engagement strategies across communications and legislative efforts to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment for external audiences.

Minimum Qualifications

• 2- 3 years of experience in communications, legislative affairs, policy analysis, external affairs, and/or closely related work. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong experience working with elected officials, tracking and analyzing legislation, and responding to constituent requests.


• Experience leading communications campaigns, developing communication strategies, and/or representing organizations publicly.


• Strong communication skills including managing websites, social media accounts, responding to press inquiries, and drafting communication materials.


• Knowledge of the Kansas legislative processes and early childhood policies.


• Excellent interpersonal skills and relationships with external partners, government officials, and/or members of the media

Post Offer Requirement:

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas.  Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer.  A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.   Please be encouraged if you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you.  The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas.  The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue – Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Recruiter Contact Information:

Name: Sarah Aasen

Email: Sarah.Aasen@ks.gov

Job Application Process:

• First Sign in or register as a New User.


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  Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications. 


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  Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page.


• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
  1. Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.

• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.

  
  
  1. Email sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  
  
  2. Notifications view the Careers> My Job Notifications page

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: How to Apply for a Job Instructions and How to Search for a Job Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:

Upload these on the Careers – My Job Applications page

• DD FM 214 (if you are claiming Veterans Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Resume 


• Letter of Interest / Cover Letter

How to Claim Veterans Preference:

Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a “veteran”; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position.  The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job.  Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veterans Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person’s eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Docking State Office Building
915 SW Harrison Street, Ste 260
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace.  All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.