SCCC REFERENCE #: 26-80
DATE: July 14, 2026
TITLE: College Director of Legislative Affairs
CAMPUS: College
START DATE: ASAP
TYPE OF APPOINTMENT: Full Time
POSITION DESCRIPTION:
Suffolk County Community College is the largest community college in the State University of New York (SUNY) system, enrolling more than 26,000 students at its three campuses in Selden, Brentwood, and Riverhead, as well as its Culinary Arts Center in Riverhead. Established in 1959, the college offers a wide array of transfer-oriented associate degrees in the liberal arts and sciences; business; communications and the arts; computing and cybersecurity; health sciences; and many other areas. Career-facing degrees and certificates are offered in allied health professions, automotive technology, culinary and baking, manufacturing, and many other areas. The college provides high school concurrent enrollment opportunities to thousands of students each year through Suffolk's Beacon program and on-campus early college classes. Designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution, Suffolk enrolls thousands of students in English Language Learning courses, and also serves more veterans and military-connected students than any other college in the SUNY system.
Reporting into the Office of Legal Affairs led by the College's General Counsel, the Director of Legislative Affairs is responsible for monitoring, developing, and advancing the College's priorities and profile on a local, state, and federal government relations and legislative level. The Director will also serve as a forward-facing liaison externally with government and elected officials, including the Suffolk County Legislature, the County Executive's office, relevant offices within the County, the State Legislature, relevant offices within the New York State Executive branch, and other key government entities, elected officials, stakeholders and advocacy groups. The Director supports the College President and senior leadership on government relations strategy and public policy matters. The Director will coordinate with the President's Office and Office of Institutional Advancement on other College-based initiatives and projects, and with the Vice President for Student Affairs to support student-facing government relations programming and opportunities. Performs related work as assigned by the College General Counsel or the College President.
The successful candidate should be comfortable and effective at interacting and communicating with senior leadership within the College and externally and must exercise excellent judgment and professionalism.
The College Director of Legislative Affairs is an exempt position; compensation will be based on the College's exempt salary and benefit plan. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision, vacation days, deferred compensation and a defined benefit plan.
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborates with the President to identify and develop the College's county, state, and federal government relations agendas and priorities, and formulate and implement strategies that create opportunities for the College to advance these priorities.
- Represent the College's interests and positions to relevant government and elected officials, including but not limited to across Long Island and in Albany.
- Cultivate, maintain, and manage effective relationships with relevant local, state, and federal government and elected officials, industry and trade associations, and other external stakeholders and advocacy groups.
- Monitor and track education-related and other relevant legislation and budget initiatives that impact the College; keep appropriate internal stakeholders apprised of any related bill activity, movement or amendments.
- Conduct research, analysis, and make recommendations to the College President, General Counsel, Board of Trustees, and other senior leadership on legislative, government relations, and public policy issues; consult and work with the College President, General Counsel, Board of Trustees, and appropriate College offices as necessary to make recommendations and assist in formulating or communicating institutional positions or needs.
- Consult with relevant local, state, and federal government and elected officials regarding the College's government relations positions.
- Prepare briefings, legislative memos, talking points, testimony and correspondence for the College President, General Counsel, Board of Trustees, and other senior leadership.
- Assist in the development and drafting of bills as assigned.
- Serve as the point of contact and liaison with government and elected officials, including the Suffolk County Legislature, the County Executive's office, relevant offices within the County, the State Legislature, relevant offices within the New York State Executive branch, and other key government entities and elected officials. Answer inquiries regarding College policies and procedures, resolve constituent issues.
- Serve as the liaison to and maintain relationships with relevant education advocacy, industry and trade organizations, as assigned.
- Represent the College at County legislative sessions and at public and private meetings with government and elected officials, and accompany College leadership to events and meetings.
- Assist as needed/assigned in planning and executing public events for the College including town hall meetings, briefings, school visits, and press announcements.
- Provide logistical support for government and elected officials' visits to the College's campuses and participation in meetings, events and initiatives organized by the College.
- In collaboration with the Vice President for Student Affairs, advise on and participate in the development and delivery of programming, education/training, and resources appropriate for students with interest in government relations or advocacy, including but not limited to SUNY Advocacy Day each year.
- Oversee compliance with lobbying laws and required reporting of any/all lobbying activities by the College Administration.
- Performs other related duties as assigned by the General Counsel or College President.
Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form, and utilize strong knowledge of appropriate structure, grammar, spelling, and relevant information.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate and interact effectively with government and elected officials regardless of political party/affiliation, as well as senior College leadership, administrators, faculty, staff, students, and external partners, as well as build collaborative relationships with and across these groups.
- Experienced and effective public speaker and presenter.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, with an ability to analyze complex government relations issues and assess implications.
- High level of attention to detail, strong organizational and triage/prioritization skills, and the ability to manage multiple matters, transactions, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Flexibility, creativity and ability to work well under pressure.
- Strong research, writing, and analytical skills, with demonstrated ability to conduct relevant research, analyze complex issues, and prepare clear and well-organized written materials.
- Demonstrated experience with government relations and advocacy-related issues and needs within New York State.
- Knowledge of local, state, and federal lobbying laws.
- Knowledge of the New York State legislative and budget process and County legislative and budget process.
- Knowledge and ability to interpret legislation and legislative budgets.
- Ability to work and effectively complete assignments independently, including when under pressure or with multiple matters or deadlines, while remaining integrated within a dynamic team.
- Ability to handle sensitive matters with the highest level of professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality.
- Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in making recommendations and decisions.
- Computer proficiency, including in preparing documents, conducting research, organization, and using software shared across offices or units.
- Willingness to think creatively, to take on projects or responsibilities outside essential functions, as needs may arise.
- Demonstrated commitment to public higher education and service, as well as to student success.
- Ability to travel and represent the College and its interests in Albany, in Suffolk County, and in government relations-related meetings elsewhere as needed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Required
- Bachelor's degree in political science, communications, public administration, public policy, or related field from an accredited college or university.
- A minimum of four (4) years of full-time experience working for or with New York State and/or New York local government relations, which may include but is not limited to employment in a position with significant responsibility for government relations/affairs, serving as legislative or agency staffer at the federal, state, or local level of a nature appropriate to the duties of the position, or lobbying/advocacy in a relevant field.
- Demonstrated experience with the New York State legislative and budget process and/or County legislative and budget process.
Preferred
- A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school, or other relevant advanced degree such as a Master's-level degree in government/political science, public policy, or public affairs/administration, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience with government relations on Long Island, including with the Suffolk County Legislature, County Executive, County Departments, State Legislature and/or Governor's office as well as federal officials.
- Experience with institutions of higher education or significant public entities in New York State in a government relations or advocacy capacity.
- Knowledge of and work experience with education policy and higher education systems Familiarity with Suffolk County Community College, County of Suffolk, New York State, and the State University of New York (SUNY) legislative, governance, and funding/budgeting structure.
HIRING SALARY:
The College Director of Legislative Affairs is an exempt position; compensation will be based on the College's exempt salary and benefit plan. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision, vacation days, deferred compensation and a defined benefit plan.
NON-DISCRIMINATION NOTICE: Suffolk County Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, familial status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristics, equal pay compensation-sex, national origin, military or veteran status, domestic violence victim status, criminal conviction or disability in its admissions, programs and activities, or employment. This applies to all employees, students, applicants or other members of the College community (including, but not limited to, vendors and visitors). Grievance procedures are available to interested persons by contacting either of the Civil Rights Compliance Officers/Coordinators listed below. Retaliation against a person who files a complaint, serves as a witness, or assists or participates in the investigation of a complaint in any manner is strictly prohibited.
The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College's non-discrimination polices:
Civil Rights Compliance Officers
Christina Vargas
Chief Diversity Officer/Title IX Coordinator
Ammerman Campus, NFL Bldg., Suite 230
533 College Road, Selden, New York 11784-2899
vargasc@sunysuffolk.edu
(631) 451-4950
or
Dionne Walker-Belgrave
Affirmative Action Officer/Deputy Title IX Coordinator
Ammerman Campus, NFL Bldg., Suite 230
533 College Road, Selden, New York 11784-2899
walkerd@sunysuffolk.edu
(631) 451-4051
In an emergency, contact Public Safety to make a report 24 hours a day/7 days a week by calling (631) 451-4242 or dialing 311 from any College phone.
Inquiries or complaints concerning alleged civil rights violations in the College's education admissions, programs and activities may also be directed to:
Office for Civil Rights (OCR) - Enforcement Office
U.S. Department of Education
32 Old Slip, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10005-2500
Telephone: (646) 428-3800
Fax: (646) 428-3843
TDD: (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR.NewYork@ed.gov
Also see: https://wdcrobcolp01.ed.gov/CFAPPS/OCR/contactus.cfm
Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination in employment practices may also be directed to:
NYS Division of Human Rights
Long Island (Suffolk)
New York State Office Building
250 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 2B-49
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Telephone: (631) 952-6434
TDD: (718) 741-8300
Email: InfoLongIsland@dhr.ny.gov
Also see: https://dhr.ny.gov/how-file-complaint
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
New York District Office
33 Whitehall Street, 5th Floor
New York, NY 10004
Telephone: (800) 669-4000
Fax: (212) 336-3790
TTY: (800) 669-6820
ASL Video Phone: (844) 234-5122
Also see: https://www.eeoc.gov/field/newyork/charge.cfm
Suffolk County Community College is committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment, education, access to services, programs, and activities, including career and technical education opportunities.
A copy of the postsecondary career and technical education courses offered by the College is available and may be obtained on our website at: www.sunysuffolk.edu/explore-academics/college-catalog or by calling the Office of Admissions at 631-451-4000 to request a mailing.
APPLY TO: Interested applicants should apply online by clicking on the button below: