Government and Political Affairs Director

Job Description

Job Description

Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire

The Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire (PFFNH) is the chartered statewide labor organization representing approximately 2,000 active and retired firefighters, paramedics, and dispatchers across more than 40 local unions.

Role

The Director of Government & Political Affairs serves as the primary staff lead for PFFNH’s legislative, political, lobbying, and government affairs operations. The Director works closely with the President, Secretary-Treasurer, Executive Board, Local Presidents, and members to advance PFFNH’s priorities and represent the interests of professional firefighters, paramedics, dispatchers, and their families.

The position requires a strong understanding of the New Hampshire legislative process, labor and public safety issues, political campaigns, and the ability to build effective relationships with elected officials, candidates, labor organizations, community partners, and members.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Legislative Strategist

• Monitor and track relevant legislation and administrative rules affecting labor, retirement, health care, firefighters, EMS, public safety, and PFFNH members.
• Serve as a registered lobbyist and maintain accurate records of lobbying activity and hours for required state reports.
• Assist the President and Secretary-Treasurer with written and oral testimony and coordinate member turnout and testimony at legislative hearings.
• Develop relationships with legislators, legislative leadership, state officials, labor organizations, community groups, and other partners on shared priorities.
• Coordinate legislative meetings with elected officials in consultation with the President.
• Provide real-time legislative updates to PFFNH leadership, staff, and Local Presidents.
• Assist the President and Secretary-Treasurer on legislative matters requiring IAFF coordination.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of the legislative process and educate PFFNH leadership and Locals on legislative procedures, timelines, and opportunities for member involvement.
• Research and help develop legislation that advances PFFNH priorities and identify emerging legislative threats and opportunities.

Campaign Coordinator

• Recruit PFFNH members, family members, and other likeminded individuals to seek elected office.
• Identify potential candidates and coordinate outreach and meetings with the President and Local leadership.
• Manage and assist PFFNH members and family members throughout their campaigns, including mail, yard signs, budgeting, fundraising, endorsements, member outreach, and general campaign strategy.
• Work with campaigns supported by PFFNH to coordinate member outreach, introductions, events, and the endorsement process.
• Coordinate political activity involving federal, state, and municipal races, including the State House, State Senate, Governor, Executive Council, and local offices.
• Maintain relationships with candidates and campaigns throughout the election cycle.
• Provide research, background information, and other materials necessary for the President to request IAFF funding and support for in-state electoral goals.
• Track election calendars, filing deadlines, candidate activity, and other important political timelines.

Political Action Committee Manager

• Manage the day-to-day political operations of the PFFNH PAC in coordination with the President and Secretary-Treasurer.
• Develop proposed PAC distribution plans for consideration by PFFNH leadership.
• Manage political endorsements and related advance work, including candidate communications, event logistics, campaign coordination, member participation, and press coverage.
• Coordinate PFFNH political events, candidate visits, station visits, and other political activities.
• Assist with PAC growth through member communications, fundraising requests, and in-person outreach.
• Work with the Executive Assistant and Secretary-Treasurer to maintain current PAC fundraising information and provide updates on upcoming distributions.
• Maintain appropriate records of PAC activity and political engagement.

Communications

Serve as a primary communications hub between the President, Executive Board, PFFNH office, and Local Presidents. Provide information gathered to the President and coordinate appropriate follow-up.

Responsibilities include communicating and monitoring:

• Policy and regulatory changes
• Political developments and campaign updates
• Legislative progress
• Issues affecting PFFNH members

Media & Public Relations

• Develop and manage press strategies with the President.
• Draft and coordinate press releases, op-eds, letters to the editor, talking points, speeches, testimony, social media, and member communications.
• Coordinate media interviews and prepare PFFNH representatives for media appearances.
• Monitor media coverage involving PFFNH, the fire service, labor, and relevant political and legislative issues.
• Maintain relationships with members of the media and identify opportunities to promote PFFNH priorities and the work of its members.

Member & Local Engagement

• Serve as a resource to Local Presidents on legislative, political, and government affairs matters.
• Assist Locals in understanding legislative and political issues affecting their members.
• Coordinate member participation in legislative advocacy, political activities, hearings, visibility events, and grassroots efforts.
• Develop resources that make it easier for members to participate in PFFNH legislative and political programs.
• Attend Local meetings and PFFNH events as requested.
• Identify issues and concerns among Locals and communicate them to PFFNH leadership.

IAFF & External Relations

• Maintain regular communication with IAFF Government Affairs and Political Affairs staff.
• Coordinate with IAFF on federal legislation, national political priorities, campaigns, and issues affecting the fire service.
• Assist PFFNH leadership with IAFF requests, reports, campaign activity, and political programs.
• Build relationships with other IAFF affiliates, labor organizations, public safety organizations, and community partners.
• Represent PFFNH at external meetings and events as directed by the President.

Research & Strategic Planning

• Conduct research on legislative, regulatory, political, and policy issues affecting PFFNH members.
• Prepare briefing materials, issue summaries, legislative updates, candidate information, and research for PFFNH leadership.
• Assist the President and Executive Board with short- and long-term government affairs and political strategies.
• Maintain organized records and institutional knowledge of PFFNH’s legislative, political, campaign, and communications activities.
• Prepare transition materials documenting ongoing projects, responsibilities, and important organizational information.

Position Expectations

• Maintain professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality in all matters.
• Be responsive to time-sensitive legislative and political issues, particularly during legislative sessions and election cycles.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with members, elected officials, candidates, labor organizations, community partners, and media.
• Exercise sound judgment when representing PFFNH and understand when matters require direction or approval from the President or Executive Board.
• Keep PFFNH leadership informed of significant developments, opportunities, and potential issues.
• Represent PFFNH and its priorities professionally and effectively.
• Maintain flexibility to attend evening meetings, legislative hearings, political events, Local meetings, and other activities outside traditional business hours.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or relative experience required
• Familiarity with legislative tracking software preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft 365 (Office) Suite

Benefits

• Salary Range: $52,000 - $57,000
• Matching 401K up to 3%
• 100% employer-paid Health & Dental Coverage
• Paid Vacation