Policy Aide Fellowship

About the role

The Office of Supervisor Sylvia Arenas is recruiting for a Policy Aide Fellowship position. The position serves as a policy analyst in direct support of the elected official. The position will provide support with policy analysis, research, communication, event planning, community outreach, and other related matters as needed.

Responsibilities

• Provides legislative support and analysis (legislative and policy research, responding to stakeholder inquiries, etc.) to the elected official;
• Gathers background information relative to issues pending before the Board of Supervisors;
• Analyzes a wide variety of materials on assigned projects, programs, and topics;
• Provides communication support such as drafting correspondence, preparing memoranda or reports which articulate the elected official’s proposals, priorities, and positions on matters pending before the Board of Supervisors or other governmental agencies;
• Affords support in the preparation of speeches, articles, or other communications for the elected official;
• Responds to a variety of constituent inquiries, resolving complaints, and interpreting operating policies for residents of the community and other interested parties;
• Plans, coordinates, and leads community meetings and special events;
• Represents the elected official at community meetings and activities, County-related boards/commission meetings, and other meetings with government agencies, private industry, and related meetings;
• Might provide training and supervision of interns and volunteers;
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned.

Requirements

• Experience and knowledge of public policy and analysis are highly desirable;
• Bilingual language skills (Vietnamese, Spanish, and/or Chinese), both oral and written, are desirable, but not required.

Qualifications

• Any combination of training and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to advise the Supervisor on matters of public policy, democratic processes, constituent service, or citizen involvement.

Skills

• Knowledge of public administration and policy work;
• Ability to carry out and promote the Supervisor’s agenda and direction regardless of personal philosophies;
• Strong work ethic, professionalism, and flexibility;
• Ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced work environment with changing priorities and deadlines;
• Ability to collaborate with community-based organizations and key stakeholders regarding the Supervisor’s priorities and policy issues coming to the Board of Supervisors;
• Skilled in research techniques and applications; collecting, compiling, analyzing, and interpreting data;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing (email, letters, report writing, and editing);
• Ability to complete work assignments in a quick and efficient manner with minimal assistance from others, to work in a team environment with other staff members in an office and in the field;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others and facilitate groups to achieve common objectives; understand and identify key issues and make recommendations in complex situations;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others and to provide excellent service to internal and external customers, stakeholders, and colleagues;
• Ability to work in a team environment as an effective team contributor;
• Demonstrates the ability to work independently, effectively prioritize work, and manage multiple, diverse, and competing priorities while meeting deadlines;
• Self-motivated, good organizational skills, detail-oriented, ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines;
• Proficiency in software applications, such as Microsoft Suite: MS Word, Excel, Publisher, Office, and PowerPoint.

Benefits

• The annual salary range for this position is $65,000 to $80,000, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.
• The County offers excellent medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• Retirement benefits are provided through CalPERS (the California Public Employees’ Retirement System).
• Paid holidays, as well as vacation and sick leave, are also included in this compensation package.

Pay

The annual salary range for this position is $65,000 to $80,000, depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Schedule

As salaried employees, are not eligible for overtime compensation.