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 POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
JOB TITLE: Policy Analyst
PROGRAM: Fiscal
LOCATION: Denver
SALARY: $3,706/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.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
State fiscal issues are complex and wide ranging, influencing many different policy areas with tremendous implications for our daily lives and long-term success. Join NCSL’s Fiscal Affairs Program to deepen your knowledge and experience in fiscal policy while contributing to a strong team and assisting state legislators and legislative staff nationwide. The Denver-based Fiscal Affairs 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 budget and tax policy topics.
We are seeking a policy analyst to perform legislative research, analysis, and writing. A policy analyst is an entry-level position that works on a variety of fiscal policy issues and contributes to a range of projects across the team. This position is an integral part of the State Fiscal Health Project, a project within the Fiscal Affairs Program at NCSL that covers a broad range of state budget and tax topics. In this position, you will work primarily on two discreet projects.
- The first is to conduct research on how states are spending federal stimulus funds and to populate NCSL’s online database.
- The second project is to examine state laws around alternative home financing methods.
In addition, you may be asked to help organize meeting logistics, perform outreach to legislators and legislative staff, develop written analyses, contribute to written publications and respond to information requests from state legislators, legislative staff, the media and others on a variety of fiscal issues.
As a policy analyst, you can expect to focus primarily on the two projects listed above, but successful candidates are willing to contribute to a variety of policy issues and tasks. All of the Fiscal Program’s work is nonpartisan and nonadvocacy. If you have interest in state fiscal policy, natural curiosity, a strong desire to learn and grow, and excellent communication skills and initiative, consider applying for this opportunity.
This position is funded through a grant from the Pew Charitable Trusts and is subject to annual renewal. You will report to the director of the Fiscal Program and work with several other policy staff on tasks or projects.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS:
- Collect and monitor data on legislative actions, state and federal programs, using the internet, available state legislative databases, public and private organizations, and other trusted resources.
- Prepare concise, accurate and nonpartisan written responses to legislative requests for information. Policy analysts respond to a variety of general policy research requests received daily and weekly from NCSL’s members. Responses are written memos that typically incorporate research, state examples, and legislative summaries and tables.
- Track state legislation in assigned policy areas. Policy analysts track state legislation in 1-2 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.
- Maintain and update webpages with new research, data and policy information. Policy analysts are expected to independently monitor policy areas and initiate updates as needed into an internal database (2-3 times weekly). Create new webpages based on emerging policy areas, or as assigned.
- Contribute to written publications. Policy analysts are expected to summarize legislation, describe specific state programs or activities, and provide other research for reports, short publications or articles. Policy analysts may independently author shorter publications such as blogs and two-page LegisBriefs.
- Provide logistical support and assistance with meetings and other convenings for NCSL’s members. The Fiscal Affairs program hosts more than a dozen in-person and virtual meetings, as well as webinars, on policy topics for small groups of fiscal-focused state legislators and staff. Policy analysts may contribute to planning tasks, such as research, background information, and speaker identification, as well as agenda development and on-site support.
- Contribute to presentations and technical assistance workshops. Policy analysts may provide research, state examples, background material and other information for slides and presentations. Depending on the candidate, research analysts may have the opportunity to provide some public speaking/presentations with oversight by senior staff.
- May travel to assist with NCSL meeting and other professional development opportunities.
- Performs other responsibilities as needed.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This position is a mostly performed in an office environment with prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. You will utilize standard office equipment such as filing cabinets, copy machines, laptops, printers, scanners, and smartphones. Travel by airplane including overnights and weekends required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
OTHER DUTIES:
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Responsibilities, expectations, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:
- Bachelor’s degree. Degree in public policy, political science, economics or general business is preferred.
- Ability to communicate information, in writing and verbally, in a clear and credible way to a variety of audiences. Written communication includes the ability to summarize research findings into a database, contribute to policy publications as well as write memos and emails.
- Ability to work collaboratively with others as part of a team and ability to work independently and be self-directed.
- Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required.
- Skill and competence in basic policy research sills and tasks requiring attention to detail, including internet searches; accessing and analyzing government, public and private policy documents, white papers and other resources; and analyzing and synthesizing other research and legislation.
- Organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously. Ability to work under deadline pressure and adapt to changes in workload.
- Knowledge of state legislative and political processes and the septation of power between the branches of government.
- Knowledge of and/or experience with state budget policy issues preferred.
- Ability to maintain professionalism, including maintaining professional appearance and demeanor as well as regular and punctual attendance.
- Ability to travel by air up to 8 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.
BENEFITS:
NCSL offers an outstanding benefits package including low-cost health, dental and vision coverage, a 401(a)-retirement plan with 10% employer contribution after 6 months and full vesting, life & disability insurance, 3-weeks paid vacation with 5+ years of paid full-time work experience, paid family leave, telework, pet insurance, discounted bus / train passes, in-office dry cleaning pick up, access to 24-hour fitness memberships, and more! Relocation assistance provided for out-of-state candidates.
TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should apply online and include a cover letter and resume highlighting skills and qualifications no later than July 23, 2021 by 5pm MST.
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.
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