The International Code Council (ICC) is a member-focused association dedicated to helping the building community and the construction industry provide safe, resilient, and sustainable construction through the development and use of model codes (I-Codes) and standards used in the design, construction, and compliance processes. Most U.S. states and communities, federal agencies, and many global markets choose the I-Codes to set the standards for regulating construction, plumbing and sanitation, fire prevention, and energy conservation in the built environment. In addition to its codes and standards activities, the Code Council provides product testing and evaluation, accreditation, software and technology, professional development and training, and consulting services solutions for governments and businesses.

Reporting to the Government Relations Senior Vice President (GR SVP) and Vice President, State and Local Relations (GR VP), the Government Relations and Operations Associate (GR Associate) is charged with managing the Code Council’s Washington, DC Office, GR Department operations, GR-led and DC office event management, and state and local government affairs in an assigned geographic region. 

In the assigned geographic region, the GR Associate acts as primary liaison for state and local governmental entities, stakeholders, and ICC Chapters, working on activities that impact the building codes ICC develops and the broader Code Council Family of Solutions (FoS). Within this region, the GR Associate will be responsible for developing and fostering relationships with elected officials and policy makers in all branches of government as well as in the private sector and using those relationships and opportunities to shape and guide policies that impact or are of relevance to ICC’s members and the ICC FoS.

DC Office management responsibilities include maintaining and handling upkeep for the DC Office, managing incoming and outgoing communications; serving as the point person for needed office repairs, supplies, and upkeep; and spearheading logistics — venues, vendors, set prep/breakdown, registration, etc. — for office events, DC area functions, and other GR-led events. GR operations management responsibilities include assisting with scheduling, travel, expenses, logistics for department activities and events, and upkeep of department trackers. Familiarity with website management software is preferred, but not required.    

A successful candidate will demonstrate strong written and oral communication, time management, attention to detail, an ability to multitask, and organizational skills; an understanding of state and local legislative and regulatory processes and member organization activities and interests; and the ability to collaborate and work effectively on a team, be proactive, manage up as needed, and work under and meet deadlines to achieve established goals. 

Position Responsibilities:

With guidance and direction from the VP GR: 

• Develop and execute team and individual state and local plans, pivoting as necessary, to further the goals of ICC and FoS, national strategy, and other organizational priorities including code adoption, implementation, and usage of FoS products and services; 
• Draft legislative proposals, amendments, and strategies; responses to rulemakings and other administrative actions; and factsheets, bill summaries, and other materials for decision-makers, ICC members, and the public; 
• Prepare testimony for legislative and administrative bodies; 
• Develop, manage and leverage relationships with coalitions of stakeholders including state agencies, county and municipal organizations, ICC Members, and other interested parties;  
• Monitor and report on state and local legislation and administrative actions, and analyze political climates and trends, including state and local elections;  
• Prepare lobbying disclosures and filings as necessary;  
• Represent ICC at member meetings, conferences and trade shows as necessary;  
• Build relationships and act as a liaison with ICC Members/Chapters; 
• Prepare annual cost center budget, managing cost center budget and tracking expenditures to ensure compliance with approved budget; 
• Make presentations to state and local government officials, design professionals, contractors, and other interested parties on all aspects of the ICC FoS; and 
• Assist with special projects as assigned, logistics for department events, and upkeep of department trackers. 

With guidance and direction from the SVP GR: 

• Serve as point person for DC Office management, including maintaining and handling upkeep for the DC Office, managing incoming and outgoing communications, serving as the point person for needed office repairs and supplies, and spearheading logistics for office events, DC area functions, and GR-led events; and 
• Assist with scheduling, travel, expenses, logistics for department events, and special projects as assigned. 
• Work with ICC’s federal relations staff to capture federal opportunities at the state and local levels. 
• Other duties as assigned.   

• Entry to mid-level experience in government relations. 
• Strong verbal and written communications. 
• Proactivity, attention to detail, and multitasking/organizational skills.
• Ability to work under and meet deadlines to achieve establish goals.  
• Experience with state and local legislative and regulatory processes and experience with member associations, is preferred. 
• Familiarity with website management software is preferred. 
• Ability to travel (20-25%) as required. 
• Familiarity with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams, Outlook, and PowerPoint is required; a strong understanding of these programs as well as PowerApps and PowerBI is preferred.