Policy/Legislative Specialist
Ripple Effect · Arlington, VA · 2 mo ago
On-siteConsulting$93k–$106k/yrFull-time
Responsibilities
- Support CISA's Legislative Affairs efforts by tracking, monitoring, and analyzing legislation related to cybersecurity and infrastructure security.
- Assist in preparing congressional correspondence, briefings, reports, and responses in support of agency priorities.
- Independently execute advanced strategic communications projects with minimal supervision.
- Conduct thorough research and analysis—including stakeholder perspectives, audience insights, and external environment assessments—to inform messaging approaches and communication strategies.
- Lead complex issue analysis related to cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, and DHS operational priorities.
- Develop data-driven insights and recommendations to inform leadership decision-making and legislative or strategic communications efforts.
- Prepare clear, comprehensive documentation and reports summarizing analyses, findings, and outcomes.
- Maintain organized records of legislative tracking, communications products, and analytical inputs to support continuity and institutional knowledge.
- Ensure all activities and materials comply with applicable laws, regulations, contractual requirements, and DHS policies, including privacy, ethics, and communication standards.
Requirements
- Minimum Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree (BA/BS) in Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, International Relations, Homeland Security, or a related field; Master's (MA or MBA) degree preferred.
- Minimum of 6 years of demonstrated professional experience supporting legislative analysis, strategic communications, policy analysis, or government affairs.
- Experience reviewing legislation, regulations, or policy proposals and assessing potential organizational or operational impacts.
- Proven ability to summarize legislative content clearly and accurately for non-technical or executive audiences.
- Experience supporting the development of written responses, briefing materials, talking points, or correspondence related to legislative or policy matters.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex information and identify risks, implications, and opportunities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with attention to accuracy, clarity, and consistency.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Experience working in or supporting federal agencies, government contractors, or highly regulated environments.
- Intermediate experience with Microsoft Office productivity software and collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams and SharePoint.
Skills That Set You Apart
- Experience supporting DHS, CISA, or other national security or homeland security organizations.
- Advanced experience assessing the operational, technical, or policy impacts of legislation related to cybersecurity, infrastructure protection, or technology.
- Strong political acumen and understanding of congressional processes and executive-branch governance.
- Experience preparing senior-level briefings or materials for leadership or external stakeholders.
- Ability to translate legislative or policy developments into actionable insights and recommendations.
- Intermediate experience with AI tools, including their limitations and risks, and how they can be applied to support project management tasks.