Policy & Government Relations Analyst

Responsibilities

• Support Vast's local government relations strategy in Long Beach and the broader Southern California region, including engagement with city officials, local economic development organizations, and community stakeholders.
• Represent Vast at local government meetings, community events, and regional industry forums as needed.
• Conduct research and analysis on federal, state, and local policy, legislation, and regulatory developments relevant to Vast's business.
• Track and summarize the congressional appropriations process, budget cycles, and NDAA developments impacting commercial space priorities.
• Draft policy briefs, talking points, legislative summaries, and other written materials for internal and external use.
• Produce and maintain a recurring government affairs newsletter to keep internal stakeholders informed on relevant policy, legislative, and local developments.
• Support proposal writing efforts in coordination with Business Development, including narrative content related to government affairs and policy positioning.
• Support tracking and management of the federal budget, appropriations, and NDAA processes as they relate to Vast's priorities.
• Support staff outreach and scheduling for congressional, agency, and local government meetings, including coordination of logistics and follow-ups.
• Build and maintain an organized database of relevant contacts across local, state, and federal government, congressional offices, and industry stakeholders.
• Cook briefing materials and prepare for meetings with policymakers and government stakeholders.

Requirements

• Strong research, analytical, and writing skills, with the ability to translate complex policy topics into clear, concise materials.
• Excellent organizational skills with experience managing multiple projects, contacts, and deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications

• Experience with or understanding of the congressional appropriations and NDAA processes.
• Experience in local government relations or community engagement, ideally within the Long Beach or broader Southern California region.
• Experience supporting proposal writing or business development efforts.
• Experience building and maintaining stakeholder or contact databases.
• Interest or experience in commercial space, aerospace, defense technology, or national security policy.
• Self-starter with strong time-management skills and the ability to adapt to shifting priorities.