Policy Specialist Health Division NCSL Denver CO

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Posted: Jan. 3, 2022

| Application Deadline:

Jan. 10, 2022 by 5 p.m. MST

Title

Policy Specialist

Health

National Conference of State Legislatures

Denver

SALARY

: $4,802 p/month

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.

About The Role

NCSL’s Health Program seeks a policy specialist with knowledge and experience in state-level policy related to public health. Join NCSL’s Health Program to deepen your expertise and network in public health policy while contributing to a strong team and assisting state legislators and legislative staff nationwide. The Health Program is a group of motivated, nonpartisan, fun and flexible individuals dedicated to tracking state policy developments, strengthening their expertise on evolving topics, and supporting state legislators and staff around complicated health policy topics.

The policy specialist position will work on a broad range of public health topics, specializing in the COVID-19 response as well as public health data and infrastructure, public health workforce, vaccines and emergency preparedness. The position will also collaborate with team members working on other topics in public health, behavioral health, workforce and Medicaid. This position has contact with state legislators, legislative staff, and other officials and stakeholders outside of NCSL, including face-to-face discussions and presentations.

As a policy specialist, you will lead legislative research and tracking, answer research requests for NCSL members, provide presentations to various audiences, author policy publications, and plan and conduct meetings. This position will have opportunities to contribute to a variety of projects and lead various activities.

In addition to subject matter expertise in the public health topics of this portfolio, the ideal policy specialist will possess knowledge of state legislative processes and the ability to analyze legislation and legislative trends. Successful candidates bring natural curiosity, initiative and flexibility, excellent communication skills, and a strong desire to learn and grow. The position is non-partisan and non-advocacy, and the ideal candidate possesses a belief in NCSL’s mission and the ability to remain neutral on politically charged topics. This position will report to a senior-level staff in the Health program and work with several other policy staff on tasks or projects.

What You'll Do

The policy specialist position is a dynamic role with a wide range of responsibilities. As a policy specialist, you will contribute to a variety of tasks across policy areas with a focus on policy research, writing and presentations, and meeting planning. Please note: This is not a scientific research position. Typical duties include:

Collects and analyzes legislative data such as introduced legislation and laws on a variety of public health topics including but not limited to COVID-19, public health workforce and health data and information. This position will track public health-related state legislation in two externally facing databases on a weekly or biweekly basis and maintain internal tracking on a number of other issues to stay up-to-date on state action. Interprets and identifies legislative implications and trends; develops comparative 50-state legislative data sets.

Develops subject matter expertise on a variety of issues related to public health, such pandemic response, emergency preparedness, and public health infrastructure, and assists legislators and legislative staff with their research and information needs. Policy specialists respond to a variety of general policy research requests received daily and weekly from NCSL’s members. Responses are often written memos that typically incorporate research, state examples, and legislative summaries and tables.

Prepares concise, accurate, and nonpartisan written products for a variety of purposes and audiences including communications with members (email, memos), reports, webpages, articles, blogs, and others as needed.

Translates detailed and complex information in the most effective format using a variety of methods, e.g., verbal presentations, publications, technical assistance workshops, webpages, podcasts, webinars, meetings, memos, newsletters, articles, and others.

Plans technical assistance programs, small-sized meetings, and educational sessions at larger meetings for legislators, staff and other stakeholders. Assists with overall planning for larger meetings with supervisor oversight, such as contributing to speaker identification, agenda development, and on-site support. 

Creates substantive, engaging, and interactive presentations for legislators, legislative staff, and others on state or federal topics within the public health portfolio with the ability to respond to questions.

Participates in peer review editing of colleagues’ work as needed.

Conducts research on federal, state, and local actions that impact the work of legislatures, such as, executive and administrative actions, relevant case law or judicial interpretations, and intergovernmental actions.

May assist with the development of new projects in assigned subject areas, including assisting with concept papers, proposals, and grant applications.

May assist with funder relations and completes high-quality, timely assigned project deliverables, under the direction of supervisor.

Expect to travel by air approximately 7-10 times per year to support meetings with NCSL’s members and/or external partners. Most trips are for one to three nights.

Performs other responsibilities as needed.

Share Your Knowledge

This position may oversee one intern and/or serve as coordinator of a team of other professionals on a short-term project. This position may also serve as a coach or mentor for others in the program.

Work Environment

This position is a mostly performed in an office environment, on or off-site, with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Team members utilize standard office equipment such as copy machines, laptops, printers, scanners, and smartphones. Expand your horizons with travel opportunities to network with lawmakers and staff across the country (includes overnights and weekends by airplane). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications For Success

Bachelor's degree plus four years of work experience with public policy, state legislatures, government or other relevant field.

Knowledge relevant to public health policy, including issues such as COVID-19 response as well as public health data, public health workforce and infrastructure, vaccines and emergency preparedness.

Proficient writing and presentation skills and the ability to clearly and credibly communicate information to a variety of audiences.

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).

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.

Proficient knowledge of state legislative and political processes and the separation of power between the branches of government.

Ability to travel by air up to 7-10 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.

Must be a Colorado resident or willing to relocate.

Your Benefits At A Glance

Our employees are the foundation to our success, so we are committed to offering a full range of benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners. Striking a healthy balance between work and personal life is important. Our total rewards package includes resources to support well-being and no cost benefits to help make life a little bit easier.

Flexible, remote work options including the ability to telework up to four days a week

Health insurance (HMO 90% covered by NCSL), Dental insurance (Employee only covered 100%), Low cost vision benefits

401(a)-retirement plan with 10% employer contribution after six months and full vesting plus 457b retirement plans with pre and post-tax options

3-weeks paid vacation with 5 years of paid full-time work experience with another employer and generous sick leave

Paid holidays including four additional days per year to use at your preference

Paid family and parental leave

FSA and Dependent Care Accounts

Professional development through LinkedIn Learning

Paid time off to volunteer

Aflac hospital advantage, critical illness, and accident plans

Discounted 24 Hour Fitness memberships and RTD / Metro bus & train passes

Pet insurance with multiple options to fit your budget

Benefits provided at no cost: 2x annual salary life insurance and long term disability.

Employee Assistance Program provides confidential, 24/7 support for employees and dependents.

Health Advocate for employees and their family members to simplify the healthcare experience including resources to support your health and well-being.

IDX Identity Theft and Privacy Protection (Employee only covered with options to add dependents).

Benefit Hub: discover local savings from merchants in your neighborhood, including movie tickets, hotels, restaurants, shops, and more.

Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates

How To Join Our Team

A career with NCSL offers exciting opportunities to grow your career in line with your aspirations. We gladly invite you to apply online

for this role by including a resume and cover letter, before 5 p.m. MST on Jan. 10, 2022. 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.

We are the nation's most respected bipartisan organization providing states support, ideas, connections and a strong voice on Capitol Hill.

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National Conference Of State Legislatures
Phone : 303-364-7700
Fax : 303-364-7800
Website : http://www.ncsl.org/