Legislative Specialist- Education, Health and Human Services

JOB TITLE:                Legislative Specialist- Education, Health and Human Services

PROGRAM:              Federal Affairs

LOCATION:              Washington, D.C.

SALARY:                   $6,204 p/month

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.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The Legislative Specialist supports NCSL’s federal policy work, which includes representing the interests of legislatures before the federal government and informing state legislators and legislative staff of relevant state-federal policy developments. Under the oversight of senior policy staff, the Legislative Specialist will develop and demonstrate deep federal and state policy expertise to support a broad array of issues within the Education and Health and Human Services portfolios. The Legislative Specialist will work at the intersection of these portfolios, especially on issues related to child care, early childhood education, school nutrition, and Medicaid. The Legislative Specialist may also support NCSL’s state-federal task force on higher education, whose members are legislators and legislative staff. The position works regularly with NCSL’s Denver state policy staff, members of the D.C. state-federal team, state legislators and legislative staff, and other external policy stakeholders as appropriate, including Congress and the administration.

A successful Legislative Specialist will embody curiosity and an eagerness to learn, a passion for education, health, and human services policy, strong writing and research skills, and an aptitude for building bipartisan relationships across state and federal contexts.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Typical duties will include some or most of the following:  

• Monitors federal legislative and regulatory initiatives that affect states – analyzes legislative text and regulatory actions and identifies policy implications of federal actions on states.  
• Develops relationships with key policy area stakeholders, and attends briefings, hearings, coalition meetings, seminars, and other meetings pertaining to a specific policy arena.  
• Effectively advocates for NCSL priorities in front of Congress and the administration in a largely independent manner, while taking cues and guidance from more experienced and senior NCSL staff.   
• Conveys detailed and complex policy information in a clear and concise manner via the most effective mediums for each respective audience, such as, but not limited to verbal presentations, LegisBrief and NCSL Magazine publications, newsletters, letters, comments, testimony, briefs, and memos.  
• Drafts testimony, comments on regulations, letters to Congress, and other correspondence related to federal policy action, which is reviewed by senior NCSL staff.  
• Prepares concise and accurate oral and written responses to legislative requests for information as well as technical assistance to state legislatures.  
• Makes substantive presentations and serves as the subject matter expert not only to NCSL members but to NCSL staff and external organizations, demonstrating knowledge of the topic and the ability to explain complex policy matters.  
• Plan, organize, and conduct standalone meetings, webinars, or individual sessions at large-scale meetings, covering relevant policy topics and analyzing complex policy issues. Employee plans these in a manner that shows cognizance of audience. 
• Develops, plans, coordinates and manages the work of a committee, task force, or partnership, and maintains effective relationships with the involved legislators and legislative staff, as well as Foundation partners. 
• Maintains relationships with Foundation partners, and other external organizations to further their involvement in NCSL and encourage continued support.  
• May assist with other tasks as assigned.  

SHARE YOUR KNOWLEDGE:

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities.

THE 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. 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 the essential functions.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR SUCCESS:

• Bachelor's degree plus three years of work experience with state legislatures, government, public policy, government relations or other relevant field. 
• Subject-specific knowledge is required. Must possess a demonstrated ability to build upon subject-specific knowledge in the policy arena in which the position is focused.  
• Ability to communicate information, in writing and verbally, in a clear and credible way to a variety of audiences. 
• Should possess the ability to build and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff, federal agency, and Congressional staff, national experts working in a specific policy arena, task force funders, and others, under the guidance or mentorship of supervisor(s). 
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines simultaneously, ability to work under deadline pressure, and adapt to changes in workload. 
• Ability to communicate information, in writing and verbally, in a clear and credible way to a variety of audiences. 
• Ability to work in a politically neutral manner and maintain confidentiality when required. 
• Ability to travel by air, 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 provides flexible, remote work options for our employees including the ability to telework up to 4 days a week. We are committed to offering a full range of other benefits for you and your eligible family members, including domestic partners.

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 the 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, September 9, 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.