Policy Specialist

Description

JOB TITLE:                    Policy Specialist
PROGRAM:                   Legislative Staff Services
LOCATION:                   Denver, CO-Hybrid
SALARY:                       $71,796 annually
STATUS:                        Full-time

ABOUT NCSL:
Are you ready to join an organization with an extraordinary mission? The National Conference of State Legislatures offers careers where you can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to truly make a difference. NCSL’s mission is purposeful – strengthening the legislative institution. From informing effective policies and promoting communication among state legislatures, to ensuring states have a strong, cohesive voice in the federal system, our team works in service of legislatures. And, with a commitment to constantly innovating all resources and services to meet the evolving needs of members, NCSL has earned the reputation as the nation’s most trusted bipartisan membership organization for legislators and legislative staff. Our success serving NCSL members relies on our team of passionate, dedicated professionals who work diligently to strengthen the legislative institution. Join our team and contribute to this unique, essential mission. NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four consecutive days each month.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. 

ABOUT THE ROLE:
A Policy Specialist is a position that requires experience in policy analysis and state legislatures. Policy Specialists have knowledge of one or more policy issues, legislative processes, and the ability to analyze legislation and legislative trends. Policy Specialists are expected to develop expertise in a specific subject area. The policy specialist works on one or more specific topics and contributes to a range of tasks and projects focused on those topics. This position has contact with legislators, legislative staff, and other officials outside of NCSL, including face-to-face discussions and presentations. Work is performed independently and as a member of a team whose goal is to meet the information needs of state legislators and legislative staff across the nation. To do so, the Policy Specialist will conduct legislative research; provide services to support state legislatures, write reports and articles; plan and conduct meetings, and other responsibilities as needed. Policy Specialists may supervise an intern and serve as project managers for a team of other professionals on a short-term project.

Policy Specialists who serve as ​​​​​​liaisons to NCSL’s professional staff associations provide strategic, programmatic and administrative support to the groups. They are expected to provide a high level of customer service to meet the needs of the association and expertly manage all stakeholders.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Provide prompt, efficient service for all staff association administrative tasks, which can include: organizing and facilitating Executive Committee and committee meetings, keeping the association’s website current, administering the association’s awards programs and providing administrative support for in-person and online meetings.
• Responsible for maintaining all governing, administrative and historical documents of the association.
• Support the association’s officers and governing board by providing guidance, administering the board’s nominations and elections process and supporting the annual business meeting.
• Facilitate member communication and engagement on behalf of the association. This may include outreach to new and prospective members, communicating via email, listserv or social media, and assisting the association in the development and production of publications.
• Ensures the staff association’s membership list is up to date in NCSL’s constituent management software.
• Manage the staff association’s finances, support the association’s fundraising efforts.
• Develop and monitor the annual professional development seminar budget and manage funder relations.
• Collaborate with association leadership and committees to identify topics and faculty to produce meetings, webinars and online conferences that address professional development and networking needs.
• Draft background materials to support program faculty and handle some meeting logistics.
• Conduct special research and outreach projects on behalf of the staff association.
• Collect, monitor and analyze data on specific legislative staff roles, professional responsibilities and topics of interest to the association.
• Develop comparative 50-state legislative data sets and subject matter expertise in relevant areas.
• Assist legislative staff with their research and information needs, and interpret legislative trends and implications.
• Translate complex information into accessible formats such as presentations, publications, workshops, webpages, podcasts, webinars, and newsletters.
• Plan technical assistance programs, small meetings, and educational sessions at larger events, contributing to speaker identification, agenda development, and on-site support.
• Create engaging presentations and prepare concise, accurate, and nonpartisan written materials for various audiences.
• Participate in peer review editing and assist with committee or task force coordination.
• Support the development of new projects, including concept papers, proposals, and grant applications.
• Complete high-quality, timely project deliverables and travel domestically as needed.
• Perform other responsibilities as needed. 

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:
Supervisor/Management Responsibilities:
May supervise an intern and serve as project managers for a team of other professionals on a short-term project.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT: This full-time position is mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. NCSL provides a unique hybrid remote work policy with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development. Employees routinely use standard office equipment such as laptops, printers, scanners, copy machines, and smartphones. Occasional travel by airplane, including overnights and weekends, is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus four years of work experience with state legislatures, government, public policy or other relevant field.
• Communications background, preferably in state legislatures or state government.
• Experience leading membership outreach efforts.
• Experience facilitating information sessions (either in-person or online).
• Proficient writing and presentation skills and the ability to clearly and credibly communicate information in a neutral, nonpartisan way to a variety of audiences.
• Strong ability to relate to and provide excellent customer service internally and externally.
• Aptitude at working both collaboratively with others and independently.
• Proven ability to build and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff, national experts, funders and others, under the guidance or mentorship of supervisor(s).
• Proficient knowledge of state legislative and political processes and the separation of power between the branches of government.
• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required.
• Strong research and analysis skills, including accessing and assessing a variety of resources and research; synthesizing data and legislation; and analyzing and summarizing policy options and legislative activities.
• Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines under the guidance of supervisor(s). Ability to work under deadline pressure and adapt to changes in workload.
• Ability to travel by air up to 5 times per year, with most trips being 1-3 nights, as well as work extended hours, possibly evenings and weekends, usually associated with events/travel. 

YOUR BENEFITS AT A GLANCE: 
NCSL has a flexible remote work policy.  Building and maintaining our organizational culture is critical and we do so by bringing staff together, in person, for four days each month.  The remote work policy provides the freedom to work from anywhere with the requirement that staff travel on their own fare to the NCSL office once a month for team meetings and professional development.  We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. Our outstanding benefits include low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, generous time off plans and paid family leave, floating holidays, identity theft protection, employee assistance programs, pet insurance, paid time off to volunteer, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.

HOW TO JOIN OUR TEAM:
If you are a purpose-driven, dedicated professional looking to give as much as you get – submit your resume and cover letter by 11:59 PM MT, June 26, 2025 for best consideration. Learn more about working with NCSL by visiting our careers page: https://www.ncsl.org/research/about-state-legislatures/ncsl-careers.aspx. We are looking forward to receiving your application!

NCSL is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing a diverse, dynamic team and inclusive workplace. NCSL does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation.