Working Title: Legislative Liaison
Job Class: Agency Policy Specialist
Agency: Public Employees Retirement Association
Job ID : 96542
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted : 09/02/2026
Closing Date : 09/23/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Public Employees Retire Association / Pub Employ Retire Assoc-MAPE
Division/Unit : Executive Staff
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : No
Salary Range: $35.30 - $52.35 / hourly; $73,706 - $109,306 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
FLSA Status : Exempt - Administrative
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
Help Shape Public Policy That Impacts Minnesota's Public Employees
The Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) is seeking a collaborative and analytical public policy professional to lead legislative and policy initiatives that support the governance, administration, and long-term sustainability of Minnesota's public retirement system.
In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to PERA leadership and the Board of Trustees, providing research, analysis, and strategic guidance on legislative proposals, statutory changes, retirement plan design, and emerging public policy issues. You will monitor and evaluate legislation, regulatory developments, and industry trends that may impact PERA, translating complex information into actionable recommendations that support informed decision-making.
Working closely with the Executive Director, you will help develop and advance PERA's legislative and public policy priorities by conducting legal and policy research, analyzing potential impacts of proposed legislation, drafting policy recommendations, and supporting the development of legislative strategies. You will also lead and coordinate policy-related projects from concept through implementation, ensuring successful outcomes through effective planning, stakeholder engagement, and risk management.
A key aspect of this role is building and maintaining productive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including legislators, legislative staff, plan participants, employer representatives, Board members, and other public pension organizations. Through collaboration, communication, and consensus building, you will gather feedback, promote understanding of policy initiatives, and help advance PERA's strategic objectives.
As a representative of the agency, you will prepare and deliver presentations, provide testimony at legislative hearings, communicate complex retirement and public policy issues to a variety of audiences, and serve as a knowledgeable resource on matters affecting public pension administration and governance.
If you are passionate about public policy, legislative affairs, and using research and collaboration to influence decisions that affect thousands of Minnesota public employees and retirees, we encourage you to apply.
This position is telework eligible and offers a hybrid work schedule, based on agency and department needs. Scheduled in-office workdays will be at the PERA office, 60 Empire Drive, Suite 200, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Candidates residing in Minnesota within 50 miles of our St Paul office may be eligible to telework up to 50%.
Candidates residing in Minnesota and more than 50 miles from our office may be eligible to telework more than 50%.
Candidates residing in a bordering state within 50 miles of our office may be eligible to telework up to 50%.
Candidates who do not reside in Minnesota or within 50 miles of the office in a state bordering Minnesota are not eligible to be hired, unless planning to relocate within 50 miles of the office or report to the office full time.
Minimum Qualifications
To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed below and indicates the beginning and ending day, month, and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of the minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.
Three (3) years of professional experience developing public policies that includes performing legal research, drafting legal documents, legislation or rules and providing formal written and oral advice/presentations.
Monitoring, reviewing, and analyzing public policy issues, legislation, and regulatory changes and providing recommendations.
Developing, interpreting, and applying laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Preparing and delivering written and oral communications, including presentations on complex topics for a variety of audiences using business software to create spreadsheets, presentations, charts, graphs, and other materials and applying complex information to support decision-making.
Minimum qualifications that will be assessed during the interview process:
Building and maintaining professional relationships with stakeholders and collaborating across organizations and functions.
Leading projects by establishing goals, identifying risks, implementing contingency plans, and evaluating outcomes.
Ability to communicate effectively with individuals with a wide range of backgrounds, who do not share your same culture, ethnicity, language, or other common experiences.
Preferred Qualifications
A bachelor's or master's degree in political science, public administration, communication, business, law, or equivalent field.
Experience working in a government entity that provides financial or pension services.
Working knowledge of Minnesota's legislative process.
Working knowledge of public pension plans relating to principals, design, related legal/actuarial concepts, and public pension plan financial reporting/compliance requirements.
Additional Requirements
It is the policy of the Retirement Systems of MN that all employees submit to a background investigation prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:
SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and past State employees only)
Criminal History Check
Employment Reference Check
Social Security and Address Verification
Education Verification
Driver's License Check
** The Retirement Systems will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
